AD 2017 marks the five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation of the church of Jesus Christ. In 1517 the Reformer Martin Luther affixed the ninety-five theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, the act by which Jesus Christ began His reformation of his church. Essential to this Reformation was the gospel-truth of justification by faith alone.

The book is a thorough explanation of the divine, saving act of justification and a vigorous defence of the doctrine, not only against the old heresies of Rome and of Arminianism, but also against the contemporary attacks on justification by the New Perspective on Paul, Evangelicals and Catholics Together, and the Federal Vision.

Originally conceived by the author as a polemical work against the modern attacks on, and departures from, the truth of justification, the book became instead a thorough, systematic and largely positive treatment of the doctrine. Instead of contending with the theologians, it instructs Reformed and Presbyterian believers, including perhaps some ministers, in the truth that is the heart of the gospel and that, therefore, bears on all the other truths of the gospel. The book explains justification as imputation; that justification is by faith; the essential importance of justification’s being by faith “only;” the meaning of justification’s being “by the faith of Jesus;” the assurance of faith, with particular reference to the error of much of Puritanism; the “when” of justification, including a careful, moderate and biblical defence of eternal justification; the origin of justification in the counsel of the covenant; the merit of Christ’s active obedience; the still controversial relation of Paul and James; the necessary relation of justification and election; and more.

The book is permeated with biblical exposition and the doctrine is founded upon Scripture. Although not mainly polemical, the book throughout defends justification by faith alone, especially against contemporary false doctrines and teachers. It names names. This alone makes the book worthwhile. For the present-day Reformed churches and theologians, facing an assault on the gospel truth of justification that threatens and undoes everything that the Reformation confessed and for which the Reformers contended, either fall into a cowardly silence or subtly compromise the fundamental gospel truth. Thus, there is a great falling away (unto perdition)—not of the “liberal” Protestant churches, which became apostate long ago and are ready, if not eager, to fall into the embrace of Rome—but of the Reformed and Presbyterian churches that still have a reputation of “conservative” and orthodox.

Nevertheless, the book is more than a contemporary defence of justification against modern heresies and heretics, including the New Perspective on Paul, the Federal Vision, N. T. Wright and Norman Shepherd. It is also more than only a historical commemoration of the sixteenth-century Reformation’s stand on behalf of the truth of justification by faith alone. These two features alone would make the book timely.

In two respects the book can justly, if audaciously, claim to be a development of the doctrine that was the heart of the Reformation. First, contemporary heresies have occasioned development of the doctrine, for example, the ultimate grounding of justification in the counsel of the covenant. Second, the book is a systematic, thorough, concentrated treatment of justification. The Reformers worked the truth of justification into their commentaries, theological treatises on various subjects and polemical works. They did not, so far as I am aware, produce a work devoted strictly to justification in a systematic, concentrated, thorough treatment of the doctrine.

The RFPA contributes to the commemoration of the Reformation, therefore, not only by remembering the gospel truth of justification, but also by explaining the doctrine to a new, much later generation of Protestant believers, by defending it against contemporary foes and by developing it further.

At such a time as this, a work that echoes Luther’s “here I stand” with specific regard to the fundamental doctrine of the Reformation is not only appropriate, but necessary. Clearly, unequivocally, creedally, biblically, the gospel truth of justification by faith alone, without works—any works, all works! Only the alien, perfect work of the Son of God in our flesh, Jesus the justifying Christ of God! Received by faith alone! Luther—to whose memory the book is dedicated—would be glad.

“… so thrilled with this last book. I’d like to order three more copies to give to the staff members at my church.” – USA

“I strongly recommend this book. It will most certainly challenge even Reformed readers to more thoroughly work out their understanding of the doctrine of justification.” – Douglas Douma (Presbyterian pastor and author)

“What a pleasure to read so many things from so many angles about the utter sufficiency and power of Christ and His righteousness to freely justify us through faith! Engelsma states ‘justification is a perfect act of salvation,’ with us receiving a ‘perfectly accomplished verdict’ (p. 449). In Christ we are right with God forever, as safe and justified now as we ever will be! Also the book is so helpful in understanding how the wrong teachings of the federal vision and the new perspectives on Paul are perpetuated through both subtlety and outright misinterpretation of scripture, causing Engelsma to say: ‘the federal vision is as ignorant of the law as it is of the gospel’ (p. 488). But this [is] a book to make us see we are co-heirs with Christ and have a right to all his blessings only for the sake of His righteousness.” – Pennsylvania, USA

“This is a great book! I bought a bunch to use … for a class or as gifts!”

A recent radio interview of Prof. Engelsma about his book, Gospel Truth of Justification, is now available on the CPRC website!

For an excerpt of this book in Hungarian, click here.

To read this book in Polish, click here.

Book Review by Rev. John Marcus.

Who would have thought that the gospel truth of justification by faith alone would be under attack today in churches that have their heritage in the Protestant Reformation? Yet Engelsma makes plain that such is exactly the case, even as we celebrate the five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation. The current controversy concerning justification is so critical to the gospel that we do well to learn to defend the truth against the lie that spreads itself throughout the church world.

Anyone who is intimidated by the word justification in the title of this book and has the notion that such a book must belong only in seminaries and pastors’ studies is sorely mistaken. This book belongs not only in the homes of those who care for the truth of the gospel, but also in their hands as they read every page. It belongs in the hands of members of faithful churches as a means by which God may protect the church. It belongs as well in the hands of members of churches that have not faithfully maintained the truth, so that they might begin once again to stand for the truth. And it belongs in the hands of those who have wavered concerning the truth of justification, so that they might learn the truth and repent of any errors they have held.

Gospel Truth of Justification is a sound and helpful exposition of the basic truth of justification by faith alone. The author covers the truth of justification from multiple angles, so that by the time one is finished with the book, he or she should have a thorough knowledge concerning justification, the “main hinge upon which religion turns” (as Calvin called the truth of justification). Engelsma quotes the Reformed and Presbyterian creeds to demonstrate the definition of justification as “God’s pardon of the guilty sinner—the forgiveness of sins—delivering the sinner from eternal damnation. It is also the gift to the sinner of a righteousness that makes the sinner worthy of eternal life and glory.” He shows that the creeds and scripture clearly teach that justification is 1) by imputation, not by infusion of righteousness; 2) a legal act that changes the sinner’s legal standing before God; 3) by faith alone apart from the good works that proceed from faith; 4) not based on faith itself as an act that substitutes for good works; and 5) based “wholly and exclusively [on] the righteousness of Jesus Christ.”

The book is especially valuable because it exposes the errors of ancient and modern heretics alike. One of the strengths of Engelsma’s work is that he helps the reader see errors hidden in the words of the most smooth-talking heretics. For the benefit of rooting out error and warning God’s people, he is not afraid to name names. In characteristic fashion he takes aim at various errorists, showing what they teach and then demolishing their arguments one by one. He deals with the related errors of the Roman Catholic Church; the Arminian heresy; the heresy of federal vision, which is rooted in the doctrine of a conditional covenant; and the new perspective on Paul, all of which deny justification by faith alone apart from works.

Lastly, the book is valuable for Engelsma’s development of the doctrine of justification as he unfolds the truth to reveal more of its beauty to sinners saved by grace. Some helpful topics discussed are assurance of justification; when justification takes place, including a discussion of eternal justification; the place of Christ’s active obedience in justification; the reward of good works; the harmony between the inspired apostles Paul and James in Romans and James, respectively; the tight connection between election and justification; and the relationship of justification to the final judgment.

This book deserves to be widely read and discussed. A hearty thanks to the author for his defense of the gospel truth. Above all, thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Originally published in Dutch at the end of the nineteenth century, Particular Grace is an explanation and development of the gospel of salvation by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Abraham Kuyper’s main purpose in this volume is to expose the error of general grace and to present a sold, biblical defense of the Calvinistic doctrine of particular grace.

“In some of the so-called ‘orthodox’ circles of our country, it is increasingly the custom to present the expression ‘Christ for all’ … as a criterion of evangelical truth. By ‘Christ for all’ is meant that Christ, according to the purpose and extent of his self-sacrifice, died for all men without exception.” So states Abraham Kuyper in the opening lines of his Particular Grace (p. 3) over a century ago, in words just as applicable in our day.

In the forty chapters of this extremely valuable work, Kuyper overthrows the universal atonement and universal grace of Arminianism, past and present. Through clear exposition of the Word of God, and manifest proofs from the confessions and greatest theologians of the church, he proves that particular grace is biblical and Reformed and universal grace is heretical and unreformed. This is, however, far from being a cold, dispassionate book. Listen to Kuyper’s remarks in his last chapter: “The conclusions of every thorough investigation of an aspect of God’s sacred mysteries should always be a song of praise! It must not only be demonstrated that the purer conception of the truth serves more to God’s glorification, but by contemplating and pondering it, we should also be led spiritually to appreciation and worship” (p. 343)—words that he well heeded!

This work comes complete with a helpful introduction to Kuyper’s life and times, written by Marvin Kamps, the translator from the original Dutch.

“Absolutely a must read for anyone dedicated to the glory of God’s holy name and reformation of the church” (Dutch Heritage Pages).

“Reformed believers will surly be impressed with the power of the author’s language and argument, the breadth of his acquaintance with past and contemporary discussion, and the cumulative weight of his case. They will also find Kuyper surprisingly fresh and pointed. Many contemporary denials of particular grace are anticipated by his arguments” (Mid-America Journal of Theology).

Augusto Melini: “[Kuyper] believed that the glorious truth of the sovereign and particular grace of God should be preached with renewed fervour, as an alternative to the principle of “general grace” (according to which God wants to save all without exception in Christ) … [Some said that being] insistent on such an issue … may cause divisions … But [Kuyper’s] calling did not allow him any ambiguities: ‘If one today denies God’s sovereignty in salvation, how can he declare God’s law and right before a materialistic, humanistic, hedonistic society such as ours?’ (p. viii). It’s a real privilege to see how this man had the strength and courage to proclaim his firm convictions about the fact that the doctrine of particular grace—indissolubly tied to that of the covenant—represents the truth as it is set forth in Sacred Scripture: God, in Christ Jesus, saves only those sinners who have been elected by His eternal decree” (Studi di Teologia).

“The Reformed Free Publishing Association has accomplished a breakthrough. For the first time, with the possible exception of Kuyper’s work on the Holy Spirit, the Kuyper of sound Reformed doctrine and church reformation is presented to the English reading public … The book is biblical, deliberately and pervasively so … The book is controversial. It was controversial when it was written. It is still controversial in Reformed churches … By no means is the book only controversy. There is lively, warm explanation and development of the glorious gospel of salvation by the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Kuyper is fresh. Kuyper is fervent. Kuyper storms the heart of the believer” (Standard Bearer).

Click here to read a review of this book in Tagalog (Filipino).

Beginning with a treatment of the sovereignty of God and then examining each petal of the TULIP in turn, Rev. Hanko and Prof. Cammenga provide a consistent and thorough exposition of the beautiful doctrines of grace known as Calvinism. Each point is boldly defended, and objections to the doctrine are faced and refuted. “Difficult passages,” which are often appealed to by Arminians, are faithfully and satisfactorily explained.

The book is written with the “ordinary” Christian in mind. With a view to convincing the unconvinced, the book is saturated with proof texts. “Here is a bold defense of the gospel of grace. The book answers the objections. It exposes and destroys the foes (within the sphere of professing Calvinists as well as without the camp). It flies the banner of full, consistent Calvinism with never a trace of shame … It does not suffer from the confusion, contradiction and compromise that characterize many similar efforts: God elected some but wills to save all; the natural man is totally depraved but performs many good works; Christ died for the elect but ‘is dead’ for everyone who hears the gospel; the actual saving of sinners is by irresistible grace but must take place by a ‘well-meant offer’ made alike to all,” as Prof. David J. Engelsma states in the “Foreword.”

Buy it and learn the glories of God’s sovereign grace or, if you want to introduce a friend to these biblical and Reformed truths, get him or her this powerful book.

This book can also be read on-line.

Click here to read this book in Romanian.
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Click here to read chapter 1 of this book in Italian.
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Click here to read chapter 3 of this book in Ukrainian.

“You’ll not find a better book on TULIP than this!” – London

“I used one of your books for my study and preparation—Saved by Grace. This book helped my understanding of Calvinism tremendously and also gave a new light to those in Haiti who never heard of such doctrines! So glory be to God that we can live in such an era that I can have a book that would do so much! – Haiti

“I have read through Saved by Grace and I really like it, very clear and consistent, a great resource. In fact could you please send me two more copies?” – Avon, England

“Saved by Grace, what a book. About to commence reading it through a second time.” – London, England

BOOK REVIEW

Saved By Grace: A Study of the Five Points of Calvinism, by Ronald Cammenga and Ronald Hanko. Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1995. [Reviewed by Pastor Arie denHartog.]

The Reformed believer never tires of the study of the doctrines of grace. He feels constrained out of love for God to testify of these great truths before the world. He believes that these glorious doctrines stand at the very heart of the gospel. They are not mere minor truths which if one denies he can still be called a credible Christian. They are foundational truths to the whole of the gospel. For this reason we rejoice at the publication of another treatise on these great doctrines by two of my colleagues in the ministry.

Many books have been written on the doctrines of grace, and one might therefore say that there is no need of yet another. The justification for such a treatise however is first of all what we have stated above. Also, over the years, even in the Reformed and Presbyterian Churches, there have arisen new interpretations of these doctrines that have, we believe, been serious compromises, not the least of these being the propagation of the false teachings of common grace and the well-meant offer of the gospel.

The excellence of this new book Saved By Grace is first of all that it is replete with scriptural quotations. The authors succeed in demonstrating beyond doubt that the doctrines of grace are indeed the teaching of the Scriptures. These doctrines are taught throughout the Scriptures and are central to them. In many instances brief expositions are given to explain specifically what the cited passages have to say about the doctrines of grace. If I would have any criticism of these parts of the book, I would only say that some of the more difficult passages could have received more detailed treatment. I realize however that one is always constrained to be as concise as possible in order not to discourage the average reader.

A second excellent feature of this book is that it begins with a chapter on the sovereignty of God. The authors show in this chapter how the truth of the absolute sovereignty of God underlies all the doctrines of grace. The doctrine of God’s absolute sovereignty divides between true and false religion.

The God Whom we must know is a sovereign God. Knowledge of God begins with the affirmation of faith that God is and that God is sovereign. Since God is, He is Sovereign. If He is God, He must also be a sovereign God. If God is not sovereign, the inescapable implication is that He is not God. This is the great issue that divides true religion from false religion! This is the great issue that separates the true church of Jesus Christ in the world from the false apostate church! This is the issue that distinguishes faith from unbelief: the sovereignty of God!

The excellence of this book in the third place is that it sets forth the doctrines of grace boldly and unashamedly. It makes no compromise of these doctrines at the points where they are offensive to the natural man and even to modern-day Christendom. It boldly maintains double predestination and refutes the commonly defended error of the well-meant offer of the gospel.

Also very helpful is that this book, in connection with each of the five doctrines, answers the commonly-heard objections to the doctrine of the Word of God and the major heresies that over the years have arisen in the church in an attempt to oppose the truth of God. There is a great need always for Christians to remember the heresies of the past in order that we do not fall again into the same errors. The right understanding of the truth comes through its clear distinction from false doctrine. The condemnation of false doctrine, as unpopular as this might be in today’s church world, is absolutely necessary in defense of the truth.

There are three other features of the book that we greatly appreciate. The first is that each chapter gives a statement of how the particular doctrine of grace being treated relates to the other five. This shows how the doctrines of grace form a glorious unity. One cannot deny the one without also denying the others. There have always been those who claim to be “three point” or “four point” Calvinists. This is, however, an impossibility. All the doctrines of grace are aspects of the one central truth of the sovereignty of God in the salvation of men. Each chapter also includes a short section on the practical significance of the doctrine to the life of the Christian. The right confession and defense of the doctrines of God’s Word requires that we see the practical implications of these doctrines for the faith and life of the child of God. The doctrines of grace are the living truth of God, in which we find our solid comfort and joy, and in which we glory day by day. There is a lengthy appendix to the main body of the book which lists statements from the great Reformed Confessions which relate immediately to the doctrines of grace.

Finally this book is accompanied with a short study guide ($3.95) to help promote the study of the doctrines of grace in the church.

We commend Pastors Cammenga and Hanko for writing this book. It is our hope and prayer that it may be greatly blessed of the Lord in the church as an aid for God’s people in a life-long meditation on the wonders of the amazing grace of God. Also we hope that this book will be useful for Reformed believers in fulfilling their calling to defend and to testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the glory of God and the salvation of His people.

“That we are saved by grace,” Herman Hoeksema states, “touches upon the very heart of the gospel.” Not surprisingly, then, salvation by grace has been the theme of the church’s worship and sermons right from its beginning.

Proceeding from the truth that the source of salvation is God’s sovereign, unchangeable and gracious election, the author demonstrates that all the other spiritual blessings of salvation are of grace. Salvation by grace is a wonderful work of the Almighty, an exclusively divine work in which man has no part and which does not depend on the work or will of man.

Chapters are devoted to reconciliation, union with Christ and regeneration by grace; calling, faith and justification by grace; conversion, sanctification and good works through grace; victory, assurance and glorification through grace. Salvation is by grace from beginning to end. Throughout, the author stresses that grace is a wonder.

Having been saved by grace and being new creatures in Christ Jesus by the almighty power of wondrous grace, “the sacred calling of believers … is to walk in good works,” thereby glorifying our heavenly Father. All of salvation is for “the glory of our wonderful God.” “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever” (Rom. 11:36).

In a day when men glory in their own accomplishments, the truth that salvation is of God alone is unpopular. Noted theologian Herman Hoeksema brings a fresh, biblical approach to this doctrine. For the believing reader, this message of salvation by God’s grace alone—from election, through reconciliation and regeneration, all the way through sanctification and suffering for Christ, to glorification—affords unspeakable comfort.

Chapters

1. The Idea of Salvation by Grace
2. Chosen by Grace
3. Reconciled by Grace
4. United With Christ by Grace
5. Regenerated by Grace
6. Called by Grace
7. Believing Through Grace
8. Justified by Grace
9. Converted by Grace
10. Working Out Our Salvation by Grace
11. Good Works Through Grace
12. Suffering Through Grace
13. Victory Through Grace
14. Assurance of Grace
15. Glorified Through Grace

FREE ON-LINE STUDY GUIDE by Kyle Bruinooge (teacher of New Testament and Worldviews at Covenant Christian High School)

Click here to read chapters of this book in Italian.
Chapter 5 and chapter 13 of this book can be read in Polish.
Chapter 1 and chapter 7 of this book can be read in Portuguese.

“I recently read the writing of Herman Hoeksema, The Wonder of Grace … the sheer joy that I find in my spirit to see our beautiful Saviour by the gracious and blessed Holy Spirit bringing in His Kingdom in our day.” – Lancashire, England

“The Wonder of Grace … is so very, very lovely and I am writing to ask you to kindly send a copy to two of my friends.” – England

When a book stays in print for more than fifty years and is still in demand, it begins to fall into the category of a “classic.” This book can also be read on-line.

How does the Calvinist preach a particular Christ for the “whomsoever will”?  In a series of messages originally broadcast on the Reformed Witness Hour, Herman Hoeksema examines that question.

Does God turn away sincere seekers after Him? Never! says Hoeksema: “Never will a man appear in the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God who will be able to say that he longed and desired and willed and sought earnestly to come, but was refused” (p. 6).

“Whosoever will may come”, yet only those who are hungry for the Bread of Life will eat, since man’s condition is such that “he is not merely incapable of longing for the Bread of Life; it is nauseating to him, and he turns from it in disgust” (p. 42).  Only those who are burdened by sin long for the Rest that Christ gives; only those who are thirsty for the Living Waters will come to Christ to drink; only those who are raised from spiritual death will believe; only those who are enlightened by the Holy Ghost will come to the Light of the World, for “every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light” (John 3:20). One sinner does not make himself to differ from another sinner. The truth of the Gospel is that God is gracious to one, while passing by another. Salvation is particular! Salvation does not depend on man!

Hoeksema is not interested in getting superficial “decisions for Christ.”  Christ must be proclaimed, explained, expounded and preached. The people must know Who Christ is, what He has done, and what it means to come to Him, otherwise “instead of the new birth, the emotions are aroused; a sentimental tear of self-pity is mistaken for true repentance; and a temporary elation of the soul is erroneously called joy in Christ” (p. 74).  For this reason Hoeksema writes several chapters explaining just who Christ is, why He came, what He did and what He demands of His followers.  No easy-believism here!

Salvation does not depend on man.  It cannot. “If it depends on the will of that man whether or not he will come to the fountains of living water and drink, he will never come. Nor will a veritable army of begging and hawking preachers persuade him to come” (p. 34), exclaims Hoeksema.

What of the man who will not come?: “If you do not thirst for the living Christ, it is only because you are blind and dead and naked and miserable; an enemy of God, hating righteousness though boasting of your goodness, loving the darkness rather than the light, and glorying in your shame” (p. 34).

But what of him who comes? “Boast not against the Christ of God as if you had the power to decide to come to Him whenever you please. Christ is the Lord. No one can come to Him unless the Father draw him!” (p. 34).

This is the antidote to the superficial and spiritually-deadly decisionism which plagues the churches in our day.

“This is an excellent book, and so much needed in this day of dishwater doctrine. It displays God on the throne, not man” (Christian Literature World).

“Whosoever Will is unbelievably brilliant! Wish I had read it much much earlier.” – London

“Thank you for sending Herman Hoeksema’s book Whosoever Will. Any writing that supports the glorious, priceless doctrine of election is always a delight to me!” – England

Click here to read a review of this book by one of our readers!

Click here to read this book in Spanish.
Click here to read chapter 8 of this book in Portuguese.
Click here to read chapter 8 of this book in German.
Click here to read chapter 10 of this book in German.