The Doctrines of Grace by Shane Lems

The Doctrines of Grace, Student Edition, by Shane Lems.  P&R Publishing, 2013, 143 pages, included appendices. 

Reading Level: Young Adult, ages 12-15

Recommended for: ages 12-up.

Bottom Line: This introductory guide to Reformed doctrine for teens can be an effective tool for family or Sunday school discussions.

This slim volume is written for a teen Sunday school but can be adapted for home use as long as discussion is involved.  The author stresses that it’s intended as an introduction to what some call Calvinism, or the TULIP doctrine.  Many Christians, even those who attend Reformed churches, are not aware that the “five points of TULIP” were developed in response to the five-point doctrine of Jacob Arminius, which the early Protestant reformers saw as a corruption of biblical Christian teaching.  The history is covered in the introductory chapter before moving on to the particulars of Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited (Definite) Atonement, Irresistible (Effective) Grace, and Perseverance (Preservation) of the Saints.  Each “point” takes two chapters (12 chapters in all, including introduction and review), and the book is structured so that each principle leads logically to the next. 

The presentation includes bullet points for key concepts, examples and illustrations, plenty of scripture references, two memory verses per chapter and 10-13 study questions, many of which are great for discussion.  The exposition is clear and straightforward.  For example, under the heading of Total Depravity: “Jesus didn’t come to help people be better.  Jesus didn’t come to show good people the right way to live.  He came to save wicked people by taking away their sins through his death on the cross.”   At the same time, Reformed doctrine is not presented as the be-all and end-all: “Believing in election does not save.  Election did not die on the cross for us, Jesus did.”

The appendix includes further reading and scripture index, as well as the full text of the Canons of Dort, the Reformation document that specifically sets out the Doctrines of Grace.  Teens who are serious about Bible study can benefit greatly from this short book, even if they don’t fully subscribe to all five points.  It will deepen their understanding of amazing grace, for sure.

Cautions: None

Overall Rating: 5 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 5
• Literary value: 4.5

Categories: Young Adult, Christian, Nonfiction