Book Review: The Truth
About Grace by John MacArthur
Most of the time MacArthur is a very biblical, engaging
writer. When it comes to pet theologies of his, he makes the same mistake of
going beyond the biblical evidence. This book has some great stuff, but his
belief in predestination tints his exposition on this subject. Sadly, that is
the one point that affects the whole doctrine of grace. Either God’s grace is
for everyone or only for the elect. MacArthur says, “Grace is not coercion. But
by transforming the heart, grace makes the believer wholly willing to trust and
obey.” (p. 13). The problem is, in this view, the non-elect do not receive this
grace and therefore remain completely unable to believe. They can not be
“willing” to believe without God’s grace, but since He did not predestinate
them for life but condemnation, He didn’t grant them this special grace.
Because of this, I cannot recommend MacArthur’s book.
Disclosure: The book was
received for free from the Thomas Nelson Publisher's BookSneeze review program.
The program does not require a positive review, only a truthful one.
