The past decade has seen a great resurgence of the doctrines of grace. This resurgence has come on the heels of a conversation that continues to take place on the place of the gospel in the Christian life, church, and ministry.
The Christian life was never meant to be divorced from our theological convictions. Instead, our theological convictions are to shape our Christian life and practice. In his latest book Anchored in Grace: Fixed Points for Humble Faith Jeremy Walker helps us understand the nuts and bolts of Reformed theology through what is known as TULIP. Instead of labeling it TULIP, he looks at Fallen, Chosen, Redeemed, Called, and Enduring essentially covering the same ground as TULIP but through a different lens.
As he explores the basics of Reformed Theology, he considers the following question, “Who needs to be saved, on what basis are we saved, how is this salvation accomplished, how do we come to possess the blessings of salvation, and how do we remain in Christ to the end?” This is a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of 92 pages but the author does a great job.
One aspect of this book that I loved is how Walker talks about how the doctrines of grace are humbling truths. He notes how:
“They strip away the boasting to which proud and rebellious man is inclined. With searing honesty they make us face the facts about our own sinful hearts, our spiritual need, and our utter dependence on the mercies and favors of God acting freely and graciously in accordance with his glorious character and infinite being. They are truths that necessary empty us of self before they fill us with Christ” (8).
With the resurgence of the doctrines of grace has come a great temptation to be a know it all. As R.C. Sproul has rightly explained the doctrines of grace rightly understood lead to humility. The Christian Life Augustine and Calvin have noted are humility, humility, and humility.
The temptation to be prideful when people are asking you questions, you are being asked to write articles, speak, and minister to people is real. It’s easy to think you might be something. We need constant encouragement and reminders that ministry is not about us. We need rest. We need to stop. Recognizing our limitations is critical. Having people speak into our lives is essential. Being willing to receive counsel is critical to a long lasting and fruitful ministry.
I loved Anchored in Grace. It’s a short accessible book that will help readers understand the doctrines of grace which are the heartbeat of true Protestant and evangelical theology and practice. I encourage you to pick up this book and learn what the doctrines of grace are all about and their significance to the Protestant theology.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
