God’s Amazing Grace, Jim Laws, Editor

God’s Amazing Grace, Jim Laws, Editor

The twentieth annual Spiritual Sword Lectureship was on the subject of “God’s Amazing Grace”.  The lectures were delivered October 15-19, 1995 at the Getwell Church of Christ in Memphis, TN.  The Getwell congregation has an exemplary legacy of producing sound conservative materials through both The Spiritual Sword quarterlies and lectureship books.

God’s grace is a subject that has drawn considerable attention over the past few years.  Occasionally I hear of “old preachers” being slandered because they failed to preach on “grace” as often as the accuser deems appropriate.  Slander may seem a strong term; however, it literally means defame with false statements or malicious reports.  Think for a minute about the accusation of one preacher against another preacher of “failing to teach about God’s grace.”  How would this person be in a position to know every sermon delivered in every context by a given preacher?  Sometimes when others criticize faithful teachers of failing to teach God’s grace they really mean that they are not teaching their view of God’s grace.  Sadly, sometimes their view is the one that is actually unscriptural.  Also, there is a failure to realize that when one speaks about any facet of God’s Word, they are touching on the subject of God’s grace.  For example, some find the explanation of God’s “Plan of Salvation” at the conclusion of a sermon as tiresome or trite, but they have failed to realize that attitude makes them actually guilty of what they accuse others of doing—failing to teach about God’s grace.  If it were not for the grace of God, there would not even be a plan for man’s salvation!   

It seems that much of the criticism by some stems from a desire to come as close as possible to the false teaching of denominationalism, advocating salvation is by God’s grace alone, so as to fit in with them.  While it is true that we could not be saved without God’s grace, it is equally true that God’s expects man to respond with faith and obedience to His offer of grace.  If we were saved by God’s grace alone independently of faith, obedience and works, then all would be saved (Titus 2:11); however, we know that not all will be saved.  Also, this pattern of God’s grace being extended with detailed instructions requiring faith and obedience in response on the part of man is seen repeatedly throughout the Bible.  Those who would say that at the very end, at the Judgment, God’s love will overrule His standards of righteousness, resulting in no one being sentenced to an eternal hell, are ignoring the clear patterns, teachings and precedents of the Bible.  This lectureship book does a fine job of showing that grace is not just a New Testament concept and law is not just an Old Testament provision.  While we are not under the old covenant; i.e., law of Moses, we are under the new covenant; i.e., law of Christ.

This lectureship book explores the topic of “God’s Grace” in detail from a scriptural standpoint.  It addresses many of these false concepts about grace.  It studies the subject of grace from a topical standpoint including the source of God’s grace, demands of God’s grace, why it is amazing, and the requirements of accepting God’s grace as a pattern throughout the Bible.  The book also discusses some of the false teachings of grace and movements by those adopting these false views today.  It looks at critical questions relating to God’s grace such as “Are grace and law contradictory” and others.  There is also analysis of some key passages relating to God’s grace that are sometimes misused by advocates of “grace only” with a sound refutation of the error and exposition of the truth.  There are also six book reviews worthy of study as well in the book.

The Getwell congregation has provided the brotherhood a great service by conducting these lectures and preserving them in book form for others to read and profit from.  If you know of some in your congregation who may, even innocently, think we do not discuss God’s grace enough, then this book will make a valuable addition to your church library for their reading.

Originally printed in West Virginia Christian, Vol. 20, No. 4, April 2013, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.

The Scheme of Redemption, Jim Laws, Editor

The Scheme of Redemption, Jim Laws, Editor

This book is from the 1990 Spiritual Sword Lectureship which was dedicated to Guy N. Woods. It deals with the intricate plan that God designed from before the foundation of the world to redeem man from sin and restore his relationship with God. Some have commented about the golden thread that runs through the Bible which is sometimes referred to as the scheme of redemption. When one considers the intricacies that God designed for the redemption of man, it should result in a constant state of awe of how awesome the God is that we serve. Consider Peter’s words in reference to the scheme of redemption: “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” (1 Peter 1:10-12)

The book is divided into five main sections. The first section is an overview of the scheme of redemption including the design of the plan by God and its design for proclamation. The second section focuses on the scheme of redemption throughout the Old Testament. It deals with the Patriarchs and the nation of Israel and their role in the ultimate scheme of redemption for all of mankind. The third section deals with the scheme of redemption prior to the coming of Jesus. It includes comparisons of the old and new covenants in worship and other aspects relating to man’s redemption. It also shows the preparation that was completed leading up to the arrival of the Messiah including the work of John the Immerser. The fourth section deals with the full unveiling of God’s scheme of redemption as it was launched by Jesus and carried forth by the church. It discusses the role of the church and the Bible today in the redemptive plans of God. The fifth section deals with defenses of the scheme of redemption against errors that would blind people from the great work that God had accomplished through Christ on their behalf. It deals with the errors of Calvinism, Premillennialism, Secular Humanism, and other challenges that we must work to combat in order to show others the plan God has designed for the redemption of their souls. It shows the method with which the Holy Spirit operates today to draw mankind to the salvation of their souls—the proclamation of the gospel through the written word.

The book contains 36 manuscripts written by conservative men who respect the integrity and authority of the word of God. It would benefit students both in private and public study. I often refer to the book as I prepare lessons around this theme. The systematic structure of the book lends itself to reading straight through continuously with great enjoyment and profit. Study of this theme will prove to you that truly God is the master of the universe and is in control. We may not understand all that happens in our lives. Neither did those in the Bible. When confusing times arise that seem inexplicable, I try to remember the words of my dad—“Not all accounts are settled in this life.” Indeed, God does have a wonderful plan for us in eternity that is a source of great hope for us to be able to endure whatever this life that is impacted by the sin of the world experiences.

Originally printed West Virginia Christian, Vol. 10, No. 11, November 2003, p. 8. Reprinted by permission.