by Dean Davis
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
LIVING TOGETHER WELL WITH THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE
Posted with permission by author.
"A pastor's heart, a love for the Bible, a love of clear doctrine, reverence before the mystery of the triune God, love for Christ, love for the gospel, love for the redeemed, and love for lost sinners—all of these come through clearly in Dean Davis' new book, In Search of the Golden Strand. In it he looks for a theological space where Calvinists and Arminians can stand together as one, and where true fellowship can be enjoyed and exhibited. To this end he spotlights the two great paradigms of God's redemptive action in history: the Sovereignty Perspective and the Test Perspective. His goal is to help Christians understand and profit from the Doctrines of Grace, which belong to the Sovereignty Perspective. But this, he argues, is possible only if we allow the Test Perspective to keep those doctrines in proper balance. Davis' theological reasoning, biblical exposition, and experiential application are edifying and expansive to the heart. Every reader will be drawn to look with greater intensity and reverence at the Word of God, both in its clarity and its mystery; both in its celebration of divine sovereignty and its loving summons to take and pass the test of life." – Thomas J. Nettles, PhD, professor of Historical Theology, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; leadership team, the Founders Ministries, SBC.
As in the biblical parable of old, this book began as a tiny seed, but unexpectedly grew into a large tree where all sorts of doctrinal birds found a resting place. I started the project thinking simply to compile a long list of Scripture texts teaching and supporting the Doctrines of Grace. Soon enough, however, I realized that we already have many such lists, but relatively few books written by Calvinistically oriented authors who are eager to hear the hearts, honor the insights, and address the concerns of their Arminian brethren. And so, sensing from the Lord a keen desire to promote spiritual unity on this war-torn theological front, I thought it well worthwhile to try to write one. Though not without fear and trembling, I gladly offer it here to the Body of Christ. And if, in some small way, it should cause birds of a feather to flock together, I will be pleased indeed.
About the Author
Dean Davis (1947- ) was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1969, he graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz with a degree in Philosophy. A true child of the 60's, he plunged headlong into the counterculture, practicing a wide variety of Eastern religions, especially Zen Buddhism. Then, in 1974, in the midst of a deep personal crisis, the God of the Bible graciously stepped in, turning a seeker into a finder, and an orphan into a beloved son, all through a life-changing revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Since then, Dean has followed the Lord down many roads, serving as a pastor, teaching elder, Sunday School director (with his wife, Linda), Christian bookstore manager, pro-life leader, and substitute school teacher. In recent years, he has greatly enjoyed working as the Director of Come Let Us Reason, a Bible teaching ministry specializing in Worlvdiew Studies and Apologetics. He and Linda currently reside in Santa Rosa, California. Believing with Luther Burbank that it is indeed "the chosen spot of the earth as far as nature is concerned," they hope to grow old there together, even as they keep careful tabs on their five far-flung kids: Mark, Beth, Jonathan, Rebekah, and Sara.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface and Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
Introduction: In Search of the Golden Strand . . . . . . . . . . 17
Part I —Spying the Golden Strand
1. A Long-term Date with the Doctrines of Grace . . . . . . . . . . 25
2. Spying the Golden Strand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Part II —The Doctrines of Grace: A View from the Golden Strand
3. Total Depravity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
4. Unconditional Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
5. Limited Atonement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
6. Irresistible Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
7. Perseverance in the Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Conclusion: Living Together Well on the Golden Strand . . 259
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Select Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281