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Title: Grace Upon Grace by Gregory S. Neal ISBN: 0-9679074-0-3 Publisher: Koinonia Press Pub. Date: 15 May, 2000 Format: Paperback List Price(USD): $24.99

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (7 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Solid Theology
Comment: Grace Upon Grace deals with a very difficult topic -- the meaning and function of the Sacraments -- in understandable, readable prose that is both clear and informative. I found this book to be deeply compelling at both a personal and intellectual level. The author begins by discussing the meaning of Grace, it's nature and role in the Christian life; he then proceeds to address the question of how one receives Grace and the different ways that this has been understood by various Christian groups down through the centuries. The core of this book deals with the nature of the Sacraments (Baptism and The Lord's Supper) as instruments for receiving Grace. This is my favorite part of the book, by the way. Finally, the author outines several other instruments (or "means") of Grace, like healing, marriage, ordination, and footwashing. In every respect, Dr. Neal has written a very sharp book. This is a MUST read for anyone interested in the Sacrmaents!

Rating: 5
Summary: WOW!!
Comment: Out of the several dozen new books which I read in the course of a year, there are always two or three which make me sit back and reconsider everything that I have learned before. Thus far this year the only book that has done this for me has been Dr. Gregory Neal's incredible volume: "Grace Upon Grace."

I bought it on the suggestion of a friend, and I quickly found why she loved it so. Dr. Neal's simple, straightforward approach to complex theology is a breath of fresh air. He is largely unconcerned with trying to impress his readers with a vast vocabulary of difficult words, but rather focuses on explaining the field of Sacramental Theology in ways which make the subject come alive for the average Christian reader. Rare is the book which can do this, and Grace Upon Grace does it better than most.

For the simple beauty of the written word, Dr. Neal's book should be commended. For an excellent, theologically and Biblically sound study on the nature of Baptism, Communion, and the other Means of Grace, this book cannot be beat. If you're a Methodist, you MUST read this book. If you're any kind of catholic Christian, this book will help you greatly. Even if you're from the non-Sacramental tradition, you'll learn a LOT about why you think the way you do from reading this book.

Rating: 5
Summary: Challenging
Comment: Dr. Neal's book covers the narrow branch of Christian studies known as Sacramental Theology from a protestant/catholic perspective. Any Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, or Presbyterian will really love this book, and if you're a preacher in any of these denominations this book is a must-buy. Baptists and other non-sacramental Christians, however, will probably be challeneged by this book. Buy it only if you are ready and willing to have your preconceptions blown and your mind changed. I'm an American Baptist preacher and I'm still dealing with the BIG changes in thinking that Dr. Neal has challenged me to make. I'm not sure I agree with everything he has written, but I was amazed at how MUCH I found I simply could not refute.

Most theologians can't write a reasonable sentence to save their life, but Dr. Neal is a wonderful exception to this unfortnate truth. On the readability scale "Grace Upon Grace" ranks very high -- it is one of the best-written theological texts I've ever read, and should be fully understandable to the average Christian. In his preface Dr. Neal tells us that he wrote this book pretty much for the common man and woman; and he succeeded. He writes a great deal like he preaches, which is obvious when one listens to his audio sermons website. His stories, biblical interpretations, and theological discussions will all "preach," and in this way this book is useful to active preachers who are looking for new ways of communicating the concepts of Grace and the ordinances.

However, be warned: this book is not "lite devotional reading." If you're looking for simple ideas or concepts, look elsewhere. If you don't mind having your mind expanded, buy "Grace Upon Grace."