Reviews for Transforming Power of Grace

The average rating for Transforming Power of Grace based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-10-24 00:00:00 Hazem Fouad Great book for understanding the non-Calvinist position on Grace! Never will I think they are man-centered again. Made me question the true historical continuity of the Calvinist position with the Vincentian method-"By the threefold test of ecumenicity, antiquity, and general lay consent, the believing community may distinguish between true and false teaching." p.24 Augustine did formulate some strong positions against the Pelagian heresy and those views were not accepted in there more extreme forms by the whole church of his time. I think Augustine was an amazing saint of the church, but his speculative theology should not trump dogma given by ecumenical consent. This book displayed a true love for the Grace of God while holding in balance a Sovereignty of God that respects the created freedom given to his creatures. In a way that gives Honor to God and not man. I think he should have read Bernard Lonergan's book on Aquinas to help with the relation of grace to freedom, but he combined the Molinist position with the Congruist position in a unique way. "Molinist teaching that God knows contingent futures remains a useful contribution to the defense of free-will. The Congruist teaching of the contextuality and economy of grace remains a useful clarification of how grace relates to variable circumstances." p.118 Aquinas offers more with his view of the permission of God toward evil.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-05-02 00:00:00 Irving Hernandez Don't be fooled by the title - although "The Transforming Power of Grace" sounds like the latest book by a celebrity pastor, it is really a rigorous exposition of the theology of grace. Oden, a leading paleo-orthodox scholar, copiously cites both the Bible and the wisdom of the classic Christian consensus in order to back up his points. He wrestles with the contentious questions of foreknowledge, predestination and election and effectively demonstrates the soundness of Arminian theology (though Oden himself does not explicitly state this). The first part of the book deals with philosophical and theological questions before investigating how grace was present in Biblical history and how it permeates through our world today. I have heard that Eastern Orthodoxy and Wesleyanism share some theological ideas and with Oden's fondness for the Eastern Church fathers, that appears to be the case. This book certainly makes me want to read some of the Church fathers! This is a gem of a book that should be read by any and all Christians. Truly, truly, it demonstrates that life is "all of grace."