Grace Redeemer Fellowship

Teaching

The Five Solas: At Grace Redeemer Fellowship we hold to the simple teachings found within the five historic "solas of the Reformation." These five solas are a simple affirmation of the ancient teachings of Scripture concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures, salvation, genuine faith, as well as the consummate goal of the believer's life - to live for the glory of God alone (Hebrews 11). Below is a description of these affirmations which supply an important foundation for life and godliness for all genuine believers.

Sola Scriptura: We affirm the inerrancy, sufficiency and perspicuity of the 66 books of the Bible alone, all of which are God breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In view of the surpassing value of God's Word, the believer must seek to be sanctified by it alone, for the Word of God incarnate, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14), prayed to the Father: "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth." John 17:17.

Solus Christus: The Apostle Paul declared that "... there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Not any of the works, the philosophies or religions of men can offer any measure of hope for salvation, for the Lord Jesus Christ declared: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but through Me." John 17:4.

Sola Gratia: By God's grace alone sinners receive the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ; not because of any of their deeds, social affiliations or genealogy. Because salvation is the sovereign gift of God, the redeemed have only one object of boasting: The Lord God - " But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

Sola Fide: By grace alone, sinners are saved through faith alone in Christ alone, as the Apostle Paul taught: Ephesians 2:8-9: 8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Faith is the gracious gift of God which draws men from their sinful rebellion (Ephesians 1:3), and dead works (Isaiah 64:6), to genuine faith and trust in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). No one has the power to come to Christ in this manner apart from the Father's gift (John 6:65).

Soli Deo Gloria: The Scriptures clearly teach that all things exist and subsist for the Lord's ultimate glory: "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36. Thus, all things are from Him (John 1:2-3); all things are mediated through His sovereign Providence (Isaiah 45:5-7) and all things are ultimately for His glory and good pleasure (John 12:28). Therefore, the genuine child of God will look to do the things which are pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:6-10) out of a genuine love for Him, above all others (Mark 12:28-31).

GRF Doctrinal Statement

GRF Philosophy of Ministry

GRF Philosophy of Worship

What Religious Freedoms Do We Really Have?

What is Your Greatest Need in Life?

Additional Online Publications
9/11	The Election That Matters	If The Lord Wills
The Supreme Court	What is so Important About Marriage?	What Love is This?

Published Works

Altar to an Unknown Love: Rob Bell, C.S. Lewis, and the Legacy of the Art and Thought of Man

For centuries, the world of professing Christendom has faced countless contests regarding the nature of God's justice and love, as well as the doctrines of Heaven and Hell. Rob Bell's book, Love Wins, is just another illustration of this reality. The entire protest revolving around Bell's book was fairly dramatic, however, it produced more smoke and heat than productive light. Despite the loud complaints leveled against the controversial author of Love Wins, what he unveiled in his book should have produced little surprise. There is a very important and untold story behind the whole Bell debate that must be passed on for the sake of future generations. The mystery and oddity of this conflict has revealed a systemic problem - one that is much greater than the premature protests surrounding Rob Bell. Altar to an Unknown Love addresses the untold story which stands behind the scenes of Bell's particular views of theology. What the reader may find surprising is that Bell's teachings are remarkably familiar, and have even been promoted, whether directly or indirectly, by some of Bell's loudest critics. All of this points to a great opportunity for the church in the present day. The conflict surrounding Rob Bell actually supplies an opportunity to rediscover our need to go back to the Scriptures themselves, rather than to the teachings and traditions of men. This is an opportunity for the church to rediscover the priority of Sola Scriptura, now, and for the generations to come.

Altar to an Unknown Love addresses this untold story which stands behind the scenes of Bell's particular views of theology. What the reader may find surprising is that Bell's teachings are remarkably familiar, and have even been promoted, whether directly or indirectly, by some of Bell's loudest critics.

From the back cover:

"Rob Bell’s Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell and the Fate of Every Person who Ever Lived, has been condemned by evangelicals who are, at the same time, professed admirers of authors from whom Bell has drawn, namely, George MacDonald and C.S. Lewis. Beasley challenges the consistency of this procedure, and if his book is taken seriously – as it deserves to be – it must promote more controversy, for MacDonald and Lewis are widely respected figures. A reconstructed presentation of the love of God – to be found in all the authors Beasley is critiquing –produces teaching which carries no offence to the natural man. What is more offensive to the natural man than truth concerning the justice of God and his wrath against sin? But that offence is eliminated by the subjective, man-centered teaching here reviewed. Yet, instead of starting with Scripture, Lewis believed that considering love in man can help us to understand love in God. A major part of Altar to an Unknown Love is a refutation of this error. The love to be found in unregenerate man is self-love – love centering around the pursuit of pleasure and identified by the Greeks (and by Lewis) as eros. But the love of God (never called eros in the New Testament) is altogether different, and is unknown until a person is born of God (1 John 4:7-10). To our mind he proves the case that Lewis is now so widely acceptable in American evangelicalism because non-biblical ideas are not being recognized for what they are. Artistry in writing, effective story-telling, with a mixture of ‘disconnected scriptural references and thoughts’, are able to achieve wide success in a day when discrimination has given way to popular appeal."

Reverend Iain H. Murray
Former Editorial Director
& Joint Founder of Banner of Truth Trust

Indeed, has Paul Really Said?

It was Martin Luther who said that the doctrine of justification by faith is “the doctrine by which the church stands or falls.” As an acknowledgement of this reality Indeed, has Paul Really Said? is set forth as a modern-day defense of the crucial doctrine of justification, in response to those who seek to undermine such a doctrine by means of the theological innovations of men like N. T. Wright. In particular, Indeed, has Paul Really Said? is a critique of Wright’s own work: What Saint Paul Really Said (Eerdmans Publishing, 1997), and endeavors to simplify the presumed controversy over justification by faith. Therefore, rather than perusing every nuance of Wright’s position, this book simplifies matters by revealing the Achilles’ Heel of Wright’s teaching regarding the expression the righteousness of God, through four comprehensible and reproducible evaluations concerning:

1. A Lexical Analysis of the terms - righteousness, justification , and the expression - the righteousness of God.

2. The forensic [judicial] connotation of these terms.

3. The relevance of Paul’s background as a Pharisee.

4. The manner in which justification is revealed within the whole counsel of God’s Word. In the final analysis, justification is not a “logic chopping” doctrine, instead it is foundational to that which distinguishes the genuine Gospel from every false imitation.

God has indeed said: “...Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” It is this truth that has marked the very essence of Gospel hope in every generation. May the Lord preserve our own generation in such a Gospel hope in the one true object of faith for all men - the Lord Jesus Christ. For an online version of this book, please go to this link.

The First Institution - A Theological and Practical Guide for the Reformation of God's Institution of Marriage and Family

* Is marriage really between one man and one woman?

* By whose authority is the institution of marriage defined?

* Is the marriage relationship a union of two leaders in the home, or is it something else?

* How can parents effectively raise their children in this ever changing world?

These important questions form the very nucleus of study in The First Institution. Beginning with God's authoritative act of Creation and ending with the heavenly wedding of Christ and His church, this book examines God's eternal purpose and plan for the institution of marriage. This book sinks the reader deep into the core doctrines of Scripture concerning marriage and family in order to establish a firm foundation for daily living. This is not a formula-book. It makes no attempt to offer patchwork solutions to the problems that normally confront spouses and children. Instead, The First Institution is a theological and practical study which reasons from the Scriptures concerning God's calling for:

1. The husband/father as the guardian of his family.

2. The wife/mother as the helper to her husband and minister to her children.

3. Children in their need to obey and honor their parents in the Lord.

From Genesis to Revelation this book examines the most relevant passages of Scripture which address these often neglected subjects of family life. We’re in the Midst of a Raging Storm: Our culture is rapidly changing, and yet the principles of Scripture have not, nor can they ever change. God’s immutable Word is therefore the believer’s only firm foundation in the shifting sands of human philosophy and reason. Parents must therefore be on guard, for in this restless world of ours there are many things that can occupy a family’s time and energy; things which may even advance a child's education and physical strength, however our modern culture is filled with so many programs and activities that parents often overextend themselves, while falling short of the foundational priorities of nurturing godliness in the home. But parents must guard the priority established by Scripture: To commend children to the Lord, rather than to the world. The challenges to this priority are many in this world filled with philosophies of career-worship, materialism, self-esteem, entertainment and the exaltation of countless other forms of man-centered living. Therefore, in order for the family of God to successfully sail through the storms of life, they must trail behind the Captain of our salvation: The Lord Jesus Christ.

All Nations Under God

The church of Jesus Christ presently faces many battles and challenges, for the enemies of the Gospel continue relentlessly to oppose and contest the central message of the Scriptures: Christ and Him crucified. But there is another battle that has been gaining momentum, however, this one is arising from within the ranks of the visible church. It is a battle that is draining the church of her vitality and joy. Worse than that, it is a battle that is robbing Christ of His glory as the victorious Lamb of God.

But the church must refute such contention and reclaim the joy, motivation and power of the Gospel ministry by looking intently at the One who calls Himself the eternal Victor: The Lord Jesus Christ. All Nations Under God looks to restore the true hope and joy of the church by reclaiming the Biblical vision of the Lamb of God who was slain for our sin.

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