What's So Amazing About Grace?

STILL one of the best books I've ever read, of ANY genre -- also one of the few I've read as many as FOUR times (so far).I've been a Christian for some forty years and have found much 'religious' writing unbearable, particularly that written over the last hundred years, with certain notable exceptions. In an age glutted with so-called 'Christian' politics, posturing, and propaganda; Yancey looks around with compassionate eyes and quietly, gently, just tells stories -- one after another after another. He draws on his life and travels, on his reading, on his not-always-kind reader responses, on his many conversations with both the famous and the decidedly not, and on history recent or remote. What we SEE through his eyes is the healing grace through which God takes the world into His arms -- not the self-righteous and arrogant, but those weighed down with pain and struggle, shame and regret, weariness and disappointment -- a world of deep longing and near despair.The is not a book of 'doctrine' in the way that word is so often used, but one of hope and consolation. There can be very few, whatever their experience or persuasion, who read these pages and are not in some measure moved, comforted, and inspired. Grace indeed emerges as what Yancey calls 'the last best word' for us all.

Authors does a great job of opening up “grace”…God’s grace! Really madeMe think about and appreciate Gods grace as never before! Highly recommend!!

Yancey has written a book for the reader driven to understand grace for his spiritual well-being; the parent looking for understanding to enhance his teaching of his (or others') children; the lover of great writing; the church "small group" leader of those who know precious little to almost everything about God and Christianity; to the well-read thinker, religious or not, interested in the author's thought and those of the many writers he cites. Superb references and bibliography. Mr Yancey is a writer with great talent. Hardback is one of simple beauty and distinction. I haven't shared the book yet but will with my children and especially my grandchildren with the confidence that in due time it will also enrich the lives of my great grandchildren.

This book helped me to see people as God sees them. I now will mentally put a photo frame around people that I meet with a caption that says, "God is VERY fond of me." How will I treat those people now? Much better. I loved it at first when it talked about getting grace, then....Oh my...it talked about my responsibility to forgive and I felt specifics on how to see people different after a hurt. I gave a copy to my pastor and have asked for a study group, so that we can change our church's image of a courtroom instead of a place of refuge. I like the way that Phillipt Yancy thinks and that he is not afraid to dissect an issue to bare it's 'Jesus meaning.'

I learned of this book when it was first published in 1997 and thought I would read it someday. Someday finally came and I am just sorry I didn't read this years ago. I had read Philip Yancey's "Disappointment With God" and found it to be exceptional. "What's So Amazing About Grace" is even more exceptional (if that is possible). The author very correctly observes that we Christians talk a lot about grace but are really poor at showing it! This book has made me take a much closer look at myself and how I have failed to show grace to others. Anyone, Christian or not, would benefit from reading this.

Philip Yancey, well known in evangelical circles, has written a very readable book replete with stories that demonstrate the outlandish concept of undeserved benefits to those who are seemingly least deserving. There is popular belief that grace is for those who admit their wrong and ask for forgiveness, but Yancey insists that this amazing grace is offered and available even when the guilty party is unrepentant of the wrong committed and has not even asked for forgiveness (note the story of the thief on the cross, Lk. 23:43). Such forgiveness is viewed popularly as "cheap grace" and as such is an affront to human sensibilities. But divine grace has nothing to do with score-keeping. If, as is widely believed, there is an obligation of the part of the offender to do something in order to earn forgiveness, it is no longer grace! Yancey caps his argument with the statement, "In the realm of grace the word 'deserve' does not even apply...Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more (and)...there is nothing we can do to make God love us less." (p. 70)To make his point absolutely crystal clear, the author gives examples of "ungrace" that regrettably is all too common in our churches and repels the very ones that the church is there to serve.There is a puzzling list of numbered "Sources" by chapter in the back of the book, but no references to the sources in the text. Unfortunately there is no index, but these deficiencies aside, the reader will be rewarded greatly by reading this book.

As I read this book I have had to stop many times and find a highlighter. It contains many "nuggets" that I want to remember and share with others. It has caused me to think deeply about my own life and actions toward others and examine how I love, and how I show and receive grace in my own life. If you want a book that will cause you to really examine how you think , act and feel about grace, this is the book! If, like me you have never thought deeply about the wonder of grace you should! You owe it to yourself and to God to consider the grace He bestowed on all of us through the life, death, and ressurection of Jesus Christ.