In Before the Foundation of the World, pastor Riddle synopsizes Biblical doctrines that have all too frequently been overlooked. It is very important for Christians and those who desire to be Christians to understand these doctrines, as they have to do with salvation itself. How does the sovereign God of the Bible bring us into a saving relationship with himself through Jesus Christ? This book deals with this matter in a manner that can be readily understood by the reader. I heartily commend it.

With the renewed interest in the Doctrines of Grace around the world in recent years, Jeff Riddle has put us in his debt by producing this up-to-date and modest, yet comprehensive, exposition on the subject. He points out that the doctrine (singular) of God’s grace in salvation is composed of several foundational and inter-related doctrines (plural). The introduction of the book sketches the history of the formulation of these doctrines and the central place it occupies in Reformed and biblical theology, summarised under the acronym TULIP. Each of the ‘five points’ is expounded in the subsequent chapters by showing its scriptural basis and meaning, followed by answers to common objections, and the conclusion of the matter. This book will be helpful to those who are new to the Doctrines of Grace, and a helpful resource for teaching the biblical doctrine of salvation in the mid-week Bible Study in church, in a church camp, and among Christian students in the campus.

Like all the best books on theology, Jeff Riddle’s little book on the doctrines of grace started life as teaching for Dr Riddle’s church. This book comes from the pen of a pastor who is committed to the growth of his congregation in their love for the gospel and their depth of wisdom and insight—it is accessible and heart-warming theology as its best. As well as offering a very clear exposition of each of the five points of Calvinism—showing the biblical basis for each point and touching on historical discussions where helpful—Dr Riddle also provides an accessible defence of systematic theology and confessionalism, as well as an explanation of the term “Reformed”. This is one of the best introductions to the doctrines of grace and how to think theologically, that I know of. If you are looking for a book to introduce the uninitiated to the doctrines of grace, this is the book.