FLE;8K@FEJF= M8E><C@:8C-?<FCF>P K?< IFJJE; ,8CM8K@FE -?<F:KI@E<F=,8CM8K@FE IL:< <D8I<JK #F?E, <@E9<I> ><E<I8C;@KFI THE CROSS AND SALVATION Other books in the Foundations of Evangelical Theology Series Published: No One Like Him JOHN S. FEINBERG To Know and Love God DAVID K. CLARK Forthcoming topics: Scripture Man and Angels Christ The Holy Spirit Sin The Church Eschatology foundations of evangelical theology THE CROSS AND SALVATION the doctrine of god 8 bruce demarest John S. Feinberg, General Editor CROSSWAY BOOKS A PUBLISHING MINISTRY OF GOOD NEWS PUBLISHERS WHEATON, ILLINOIS The Cross and Salvation Copyright © 1997 by Bruce Demarest Published by Crossway Books a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers 1300 Crescent Street Wheaton, Illinois 60187 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided by USA copyright law. Cover design: Jon McGrath First trade paperback printing, 1997 First hardcover printing, 2006 Printed in the United States of America Scripture quotations are generally taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society. Other Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Bible, the New English Bible, the Authorized Version, the Moffat translation, and the Phillips version. To the late Frederick Fyvie Bruce, my mentor at Manchester University, for the powerful example of his superb scholarship, winsome personality, and godly life. 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 page 25 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 page 49 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 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 page 147 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 page 203 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 page 235 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 page 277 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 page 313 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 page 345 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 page 385 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.