By His Grace and for His Glory: A Historical, Theological, and Practical Study of the Doctrines of Grace in Baptist Life

Mr. Nettles doesn't chase a great deal of theological debate to defend the Doctrines of Grace. He simply presents the history of those who have defended it through the centuries. The book is well organized and well written and anyone who completes its 428 pages will be better off for it. If it doesn't convince you that the "Doctrines of Grace" are nothing more than the faith once delivered to the saints, you will at least come away with a greater view of the Sovereignty of our God.

Tom Nettles has put together a work that is quite surprising but yet very interesting. This book is essentially a history of the Southern Baptist Church and it's Calvinistic roots. Nettles give details of the history of certain Baptist ministers and theologians. He describes their lives and their Calvinistic theologies in great detail. Moreover, Nettles brings to the forefront a heritage that has been lost through the last dozen or so decades. This is a wonderful history of the Baptist Church and it's theology. Nettles discusses the tenets of Calvinism and describes famous Baptists who held to these historical doctrines. Some of the Baptist ministers and theologians that are discussed include B.H. Carroll (founder of the largest Southern Baptist Seminary in the country - Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX), A. H. Strong, J.P. Boyce (Southern Baptist Theologian), Basil Manly, Sr. & Jr., and John L. Dagg (author of "Manual of Theology"). This book is a must for church history buffs, and also for those who simply like to study theology and Christian history.

I thought that I had a good understanding of the Doctrines of Grace until I read Prof. Nettles book. Chapter 12 - Christ Died for Our Sins, According to the Scriptures, is the most awe inspiring argument for Particular Redemption that I have read by a modern theologian. I once thought I was a "fish out of water", being a Calvinistic Southern Baptist. But, now I realize the depth of the soil from which I have grown. I wish modern Southern Baptists were as faithful to Sola Scriptura as the Founders of the Southern Baptist Convention were.

The book contains a history of the doctrines of grace against the backdrop of the early Baptist preachers. Dr. Nettles also includes a wonderful primer on soteriology at the end of the book. A great resource for Baptists who want to know their history and who are looking for an introduction to the doctrines of grace.