Bruce Demarest on the Doctrine of Grace

I am currently reading “The Cross and Salvation,” by Bruce Demarest, Professor of Christian Theology and Spiritual Formation and Denver Seminary. So far, it is a great read, and brings much joy as it highlights the Doctrine of Salvation as presented in Scripture. He makes some wonderful observations on the doctrine of grace, particularly, that of special grace.

When trying to understand the various ways that Scripture depicts the grace of God, theologians have posited two basic categories of God’s grace. First, there is common grace. It is important to understand that common grace is not linked to human salvation. Demarest defines common grace as “the undeserved beneficence of the Creator God expressed by his general care of creation and of all persons everywhere without discrimination (Ps 36:5; 119:64; 136:1-9).” On the other hand, special grace is of the saving nature. It is “a benefit of God as Redeemer that effectually imparts salvation,” and is “the fountainhead of all redemptive blessings.”

Demarest gives 7 dimensions of God’s special grace as presented in Scripture.

1.  Being the most foundational dimension, grace is an attitude of God revealed to the undeserving (Eph 1:5-6; 2:4-5, 7-8; Rom 5:15, 17, 20-21; 2 Tim 1:9; 2:1; Tit 2:11; Heb 12:15).
2. Grace is an action of God on behalf of undeserving people (John 1:14; Rom 3:24; 1 Tim 1:14).
3. Grace is the gift of God bestowed upon people (Ps 84:11; John 4:10; Acts 15:11; Rom 5:15-17; 1 Cor 1:3-4; 2 Cor 6:1-2; 8:9; 9:15)
4. Grace is the power of God at work in persons; it is the divine influence or energy that achieves God’s purpose in lives (Acts 4:33; 66:8; 14:26; 18:27; Rom 5:20-21; 12:3; 1 Cor 3:10; 15:10; 2 Cor 1:12; 8:1; 12:9; Gal 6:18; Phil 4:23; 1 Thess 5:28; 2 Thess 3:18; Heb 4:16; 13:9; Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:10; 2 Pet 3:18). 
5. Grace is God’s method of saving sinners (Rom 3:24; 6:14 Eph 2:8). 
6. Grace is a new state or realm entered by faith (Rom 5:2; Gal 5:4; 1 Pet 5:10).     
7. Grace is a synonym for the Gospel or the Christian salvation (2 Cor 6:1-2; Col 1:5-6; 1 Pet 1:9-10; 5:12; Jude 4).

Demarest closes this section by noting that “special grace is not an entity or a thing but a multifaceted love and kindness that enters our world relationally to bless and save.” I couldn’t help but rejoice and take wonder in the wisdom and mercy of God that has brought redemption to sinners by his sovereign grace.

Glory to Christ, the King, who has conquered sin, death, and the devil by his resurrection from the dead!

Horton, Osteen, and a Critique of the Prosperity Gospel

Michael Horton, professor of Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, California, has recently published an article titled, Joel Osteen and the Glory Story: A Case Study.           

In this article he examines the false notion that God is there for us and our happiness–the “prosperity gospel.” This article is a part of a collection of essays written recently by Dr. Horton after his interview on 60 Minutes which aired on October 14, 2007.    

Recently he has written, Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church, and has a book coming out this fall titled, The Gospel-Driven Life: Being Good News People in a Bad News World.                       

Christianity and America

For an interesting examination of the current state of Christianity in America, check out, The End of Christian America, this is the cover story for the April 13th issue of Newsweek magazine. This articles is heavily dependent upon an article posted on Albert Mohler’s blog titled, The Eclipse of Christian Memory. Both of these articles are worth setting some time aside to read.