Paul EllisThe Hyper-Grace Gospel: A Response to Michael Brown and Those Opposed to the Modern Grace Message

This is a quality, insightful resource. I think Paul’s arguments are on-point. My only complaint is it’s written in such a way that it only makes the most sense if you’re reading the book it responds to as well.

I did not give Ellis a 4 star because I agree with him. I did so because, from his viewpoint, he was an effective "debater" in his response to Brown. He managed to "frame" the arguments to his own purposes, for the most part. Ellis is sticking to the theory of grace as the basis for our relationship. Brown is trying to demonstrate that the Hyper-grace preachers and teachers are ignoring a lot of Scripture. So, he (Brown) tends to refer to a huge amount of Scripture. His weakness is that he does not develop a coherent theory that explains how these Scriptures apply within the overarching grace relationship. So, because Ellis has a coherent theory, he often comes off more logical than Brown. Ellis, on the other hand, quite often fails to respond to the examples and Scriptures that Brown cites. He just chooses to ignore them. Thus, he makes his own case, but does not really answer the objections to the case. Moreover, he sidesteps many of the controversies and extreme examples that Brown cites. Brown has done enormous research and has documented the cases where the Hyper-grace movement has gone too far. Ellis answers by either denying or ignoring. Though Ellis generally keeps a pretty cool head, he does get pretty grumpy at times. When Brown gives a chapter-full of examples of how Hyper-grace preachers and others characterize their enemies--"grace-haters," into "sin management," "rock-throwing legalists," etc--Ellis says this is "a bit rich" from one who "names names" and writes a judgmental book. Maybe that is so, but Brown has carefully documented all of this. (I think Brown's mistake was to put this chapter so early in the book.) In another place, Brown has described certain extremes--such as gay Christians using Hyper-grace rhetoric and another person who "sanctified" profanity--as a logical extension of Hyper-grace. Ellis huffs that he "could" make a logical link between "mixed-grace" theology and "all the worst ills of Christendom." At the end of his essay, Ellis gives a very succinct summary of his assessment of Brown's book. (Brown's worst failing is that he can never be succinct.) He says Brown fails to portray Hyper-grace accurately (I do not agree), but does present "mixed-grace" theology (which Ellis believes is a mixture of grace and legalistic add-ons). I read this book after I read Brown's book. It forced me to re-examine Brown's book. I realized that Brown effectively describes the Hyper-grace theology and rhetoric and shows how they fail to adhere to the overall teachings of the New Testament. Brown would have been much more effective if he had not thrown so many Scriptures at the reader and if he had guided the reader with some theory to understand the failings of the Hyper-grace movement. Ellis, on the other hand, ably presents the theoretical framework of Hyper-grace theology. He, however, fails to acknowledge its weakness and sidesteps serious issues that Brown has raised.

I grew up thinking that being a Christian was all about what I did and didn't do. My schooling in church and at home developed my knowledge of good and evil to a high level, but man did I have a hard time staying on the right side of the line! I'd fail and then recommit, over and over until I felt like I just wasn't ever going to be any good at being a Christian. I promised myself, my folks, and my God that I'd do better this time, but much like the Israelites of old, I failed quickly and miserably each time I committed myself to law keeping. And so was the circular pattern or commitment, failure, recommitment, and failure that was my (fruitless and joyless) life for decades... If only I had understood the gospel of (hyper) grace back in those early days of attempted law-keeping-Christianity!! If only I'd known that Jesus' work, not mine, was what the gospel was all about!If you have been worn out by your effort to meet God's standard, this book will introduce you to rest that only comes in Jesus. If you are concerned that the Good News may be too good to be true, this book will reassure you that God loves you more than you can imagine, and that His gift of Grace is not out of proportion to His never ending love. If you are worried about a loved one who is passionate about their recent revelation of "hyper grace", I hope this book gives you a crystal clear understanding of what we (grace-junkies) believe and why it evokes the passion that it does. I also hope that it leads you to fully comprehend the goodness and fullness of grace, and leads you to a joyful rest in Christ that you have never known before.The first half of this book declares, simply and clearly, the Good News (gospel) of pure, unadulterated grace. Grace that looks like Jesus. Grace that declares His work to be sufficient and complete. This message, called "Hyper" and declared to be new, by some, is the same message that the apostle Paul so tirelessly proclaimed to the early church. It is such good news.The second half of this book is a chapter-by-chapter response to Mr. Brown's recently published book warning of the "dangers of the hyper grace message". The response is thorough, organized, fair, and consise.Great book, and well worth the read!

This is a superb book. He presents the Grace gospel clearly and excitingly. The only improvement I would suggest is that when the author is refuting certain arguments by page reference ("On page ###, Dr. Brown says this, but I say..."), he would do well to include at least some of the original wuote so that the reader has some context to refer to.But never mind that. People need to read this liberating book. This is the Gospel in its pure form! Thanks for writing it, Paul.

Most excellent response to the critics of the total grace message. Could agree with 90% of the scriptureinterpretations offered. A well balanced book written with total conviction and humility.

Excellent bookClearly arguedHelps deal with the straw man criticisms that none of those criticised is really sayingGreat explanations of "mixed law and grace" teaching

My brother loved it

Excellent, teaching and helps to grow into deeper relationship with Good.