Cross and Salvation : The Doctrine of Salvation

by Demarest, Bruce

• ISBN13: 9781581348125
• ISBN10: 1581348126
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-08-01
• Publisher: Crossway Books

Summary

With Americars"s confidence in the Bible at an all-time low and the strength of her spiritual convictions waning, it is essential for Christians-especially Christian leaders-to be well-grounded in biblical theology. To have a clear and comprehensive understanding of the key doctrines of evangelicalism.In response, professor and award-winning author Bruce Demarest has made plain Godrs"s glorious plan of salvation, his provision for the human dilemma through Christrs"s work on the cross, and the application of saving grace to unbelievers. Demarestrs"s unique approach defines each topic, identifies its most pressing issues, examines the ways in which the doctrine has been understood historically, and interprets the Biblers"s revelation. The result is a clear and carefully constructed doctrinal statement that you can defend, live out, and communicate to others.This singular, comprehensive treatment of one of Christianityrs"s essential doctrines gives definitive, Bible-based answers about salvation and the cross-andabout related theological issues such as grace and regeneration. Itrs"s perfect for clarifying your theology and gaining deep understanding of this foundational theme."A very good book about that most distinctive and vital Christian doctrine: salvation in Christhellip;. I can imagine more than one teacher (myself included) considering the construction of an entire course around this bookhellip;. Moreover, Demarestrs"s competence in several disciplines means the work would stretch even advanced students into that integration of biblical foundations, theology (including theology in its historical dimensions), and personal/ministry application for which we all surely long." Bob Robinson, Bibliotheca Sacra"A valuable contribution to the evangelical theological community. Lucid and readable, Demarestrs"s work is an encyclopedic approach to the subject, which results in a good sourcebook on the major options in the hotly contested doctrines of soteriology. Demarestrs"s treatment of such issues as lordship salvation, the nature of repentance, and various views of sanctification indicate his familiarity with the various options. Although no reader will agree with every theological position Demarest adopts, his explanations of views with which he disagrees seem fairhellip;. It would make an excellent textbook for seminary or graduate courses in soteriology and a helpful addition to any pastorrs"s library." Glenn R. Kreider, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Table of Contents

Introduction by General Editor	xv
Preface	xix
List of Abbreviations	xxi
PART ONE: THE PLAN OF SALVATION
CHAPTER 1 "WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"
ACTS 16:30
Introduction to the Doctrine of Salvation	25	(24)
I. The Bible a Book About Salvation
II. Humankind's Need for Salvation
III. Various Interpretations of Salvation
IV. The 'Order of Salvation'
V. The Author of Salvation
VI. The Relation of Soteriology to Other Doctrines
CHAPTER 2 "WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS"
ROMANS 5:8
The Doctrine of Grace	49	(48)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Grace
A. The Natural Capacity for Doing Good
B. The Divine Enablement That Supplements Human Initiatives
C. Universal, Undifferentiated Prevenient Grace
D. Grace Identical to Jesus Christ
E. God's Universal, Saving Self-Communication
F. The Divine Favor That Sustains Life and Efficiently...Leads to Christ
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Grace
A. The Language of Grace
B. The Need for Grace
C. God's Provision of Common Grace
D. God's Provision of Special Grace
E. Prevenient Grace
F. Effectual or Irresistible Grace?
G. Grace in Relation to Law-keeping
H. Saving Grace and Non-Christian Religions
I. Grace in Relation to the Plan of Salvation
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Grace
A. Common Grace: Care for the Created Order
B. Common Grace: Appreciate God's Gifts in Human Culture
C. Special Grace: Experience the Reality
D. Special Grace: Respond Appropriately
CHAPTER 3 "JACOB I LOVED"
ROMANS 9:13
The Doctrine of Election page	97	(50)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Election
A. Conditional Election
B. Corporate Election
C. Double Unconditional Predestination
D. Universal Election in Christ
E. Unconditional Single Election
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Election
A. Election to Service
B. Election Corporately of a People
C. Personal Election in the OT: A Minor Theme
D. Personal Election in the NT: A Major Theme
E. Is Predestination Double?
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Election
A. Great Joy and Confidence in Being Chosen
B. Encouragement to Preaching, Evangelism, and Prayer
C. A Positive Stimulus to Holiness
D. Confidently Proclaim "Whosoever Will"
E. Does God "Will" All People to be Saved?
PART TWO: THE PROVISION OF SALVATION
CHAPTER 4 "CHRIST DIED FOR SINS ONCE FOR ALL"
I PETER 3:18
The Doctrine of the Atonement	147	(56)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of the Atonement
A. The Classic or Ransom Theory
B. Satisfaction or Juridical Theory
C. Exemplarism or the Moral Influence Theory
D. Governmental or Rectoral Theory
E. Universal Reconciliation Theory
F. Penal Substitution Theory
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of the Atonement
A. The Central Importance of Christ's Death
B. The Way of Atonement in the Old Testament
C. The Big Idea of Atonement: Penal Substitution
D. Other Atonement Motifs
E. Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King
F. The Necessity of Christ's Death
G. The Purpose or Intent of Christ's Death
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of the Cross
A. Realize That Christ Died for You
B. Recognize That His Death Is Final
C. Allow the Cross Its Transforming Work
D. Embrace Christ as Your Prophet, Priest, and King
PART THREE: THE APPLICATION OF SALVATION—SUBJECTIVE ASPECTS
CHAPTER 5 "CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE"
ROMANS 8:28
The Doctrine of Divine Calling	203	(32)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Divine Calling
A. Natural Ability to Answer God's Universal Call
B. Special Ability Provided to Hearers of the Gospel That May Be Resisted.
C. Universally Restored Ability to Obey God's General Call
D. A General Call That May Be Resisted and a Special Call Effectual for Salvation
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Calling
A. The Language of Calling
B. The External, Verbal Call
C. Why Some Hearers Are Not Saved
D. The Internal, Effectual Call
E. Why Other Hearers of the Gospel Are Saved
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Calling
A. Realize the Purposes of Your Calling
B. Faithfully Deliver the Gospel Call
C. Trust God to Give Spiritual Fruit
CHAPTER 6 "REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS!"
MARK 1:15
The Doctrine of Conversion	235	(42)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Conversion
A. A Humanly Contrived Work
B. Cooperation with Grace
C. Conversion Offered Only to the Elect
D. Non-Cognitive Encounter with God
E. Ratification of Prior Justification on the Cross
F. A Divinely Enabled Human Response
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Conversion
A. What is Biblical Conversion?
B. The Language of Repentance
C. The Nature of Repentance
D. Repentance as a Divine Gift
E. The Language of Faith
F. The Nature of Saving Faith
G. Faith as a Divine Gift
H. Reflection on Ordering Relations
I. The 'Lordship Salvation' Debate
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Conversion
A. Live a Life of Repentance and Faith
B. Call for Commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord
C. Deal Constructively with Doubt
CHAPTER 7 "UNLESS A MAN IS BORN AGAIN"
JOHN 3:3
The Doctrine of Regeneration	277	(36)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Regeneration
A. Self-Actualized Regeneration
B. Baptismal Regeneration
C. Presumptive and Promissory Regeneration
D. Synergistic Regeneration
E. Regeneration with a Work of God in Response to Faith
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Regeneration
A. The Need for Regeneration
B. The Language and Meaning of Regeneration
C. Does Water Baptism Regenerate?
D. The Holistic Results of Regeneration
E. Regeneration and the 'New Nature'
F. Were Old Testament Believers Regenerated?
G. Are Children Who Die in Infancy Saved?
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Regeneration
A. Don't Trust Christian Parentage or Baptism for New Life
B. Rely on the Holy Spirit to Make Sinners New Creations
C. Personal Regeneration Followed by Social Transformation
PART FOUR: THE APPLICATION OF SALVATION—OBJECTIVE ASPECTS
CHAPTER 8 "CHRIST LIVES IN ME"
GALATIANS 2:20
The Doctrine of Union with Christ	313	(32)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Union with Christ
A. An Ontological Union
B. A Sacramental Union
C. A Covenantal Union
D. A Moral or Filial Union
E. An Experiential Union
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Union with Christ
A. Variety of Biblical Uses of "In Christ"
B. Illustrations of the Union Between Believers and Christ
C. The Basis of Union with Christ
D. The Nature of Union with Christ
E. Results of Union with Christ
F. The Relations of Union with Christ
G. Were Old Testament Believers Incorporated into Christ?
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Union with Christ
A. Seek Vital Communion in Union
B. Seek Fruitfulness in Union
C. Seek Togetherness in Union
CHAPTER 9 "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS"
JEREMIAH 23:6
The Doctrine of Justification	345	(40)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Justification
A. The Process of Moral Improvement
B. The Infusion of Righteousness
C. Restoration of the Moral Order of the Universe
D. Political and Social Emancipation
E. God's Eternal Verdict on Humankind
F. God's Legal Declaration of Righteousness
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Justification
A. The Problem Defined
B. The Doctrinal Seed-Bed of Justification
C. The Language and Meaning of Justification
D. The Ground and Means of Justification
E. The Results of Justification
F. Legal Adoption
G. Personal Reconciliation
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Justification
A. Possess Assurance of Justification
B. Be Delivered from Feelings of Guilt
C. Cast Off the Burden of Perfectionism
PART FIVE: THE PROGRESS OF SALVATION
CHAPTER 10 "TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS"
2 COR. 3:18
The Doctrine of Sanctification	385	(46)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Sanctification
A. The Process of Personal Reformation
B. The Sacramental Process of Making Righteous
C. Entire Sanctification via a "Second Blessing" Experience
D. Through Holy Spirit Baptism
E. Through a Decisive Act of Surrender to Christ
F. An Objective, Accomplished Fact
G. Solidarity with the Poor and Oppressed
H. The Gradual Process of Becoming Holy
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Sanctification
A. The Language of Sanctification
B. Positional Sanctification
C. Progressive Sanctification
D. Sanctification Via a "Second Blessing" Experience?
E. Does Scripture Recognize Two Classes of Christians?
F. Is Sinless Perfection a Present Possibility?
G. The Law of God and Sanctification
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Sanctification
A. Identify God's Part and Your Part in Sanctification
B. Be Filled with the Spirit
C. Cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit
D. Imitate Jesus Christ
CHAPTER 11 "PROTECTED BY THE POWER OF GOD"
I PETER 1:5
The Doctrine of Preservation & Perseverance	431	(36)
I. Introductory Concerns
II. Historical Interpretations of Preservation and Perseverance
A. Saving Grace Forfeited by Mortal Sin
B. Saving Grace Lost by Walking After the Flesh
C. Elect Believers Persevere, Non-Elect Believers Fall Away
D. God Preserves the Converted in Perseverance to the End
III. Exposition of the Doctrine of Preservation
A. God's Initiative in Preservation
B. The Believer's Response in Perseverance
C. The Redeemed May Backslide for a Season
D. Some Apostatize Because Unconverted
E. The Hebrews Warning Passages
IV. Practical Implications of the Doctrine of Preservation
A. Be Comforted: God Will Never Abandon Us
B. Be Diligent: Utilize God's Appointed Means of Grace
C. Be Steadfast in Trials and Persecutions
PART SIX: THE PERFECTING OF SALVATION
CHAPTER 12 "THOSE HE JUSTIFIED, HE ALSO GLORIFIED"
ROM. 8:30
The Doctrine of Glorification	467	(16)
I. The Hope of Glorification
II. The Several Phases of Glorification
III. The Nature of Glorification
A. The Perfecting of the Soul
B. The Perfecting of the Body
C. Full Participation in the Life to Come
IV. Practical Implications of Glorification
Notes	483	(34)
Scripture Index	517	(22)
General Index	539