Redeeming Grace in the Canon of the Restoration

Redeeming Grace in the Canon of the Restoration
Author: John Draney
Publisher:
Total Pages: 410
Release: 2011-12-26
Genre:
ISBN: 9781468010558

The purpose of this book is to thoroughly contemplate redeeming grace, the power by which the faithful are set on the throne of Christ as he is set on the throne of his Father (Revelation 3:21), and the rest of the family of Adam and Eve are made recipients, to one degree or another, of the gift of salvation. I have little if any interest in so-called enabling grace, the divine help by which Moses leads the children of Israel out of Egypt, or Joseph Smith brings forth new scripture to the world. The latter often seems to be the only variety with which we members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are familiar, but the former far exceeds it in power and permanence, for by redeeming grace the highest, eternal purposes of God are realized in us. Enabling grace helps us do something. Redeeming grace, however, does something to us. Long after the glory of the Exodus and the Restoration fades-manifestations of enabling grace in the time of fallen mortality-the culmination of redeeming grace will endure in the perfection of the once mortal citizens of the heavens. However expert we may become in matters of our pragmatic, practical religion, we must always remember the grace by which we will reign with Christ in eternity, the redeeming grace of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. For many years now the notions of redeeming grace and the mechanics of the atonement have weighed heavily on my mind. I have gradually become aware of a significant disconnect between the popular apprehension of redeeming grace and what is written-hidden as it were in plain sight-in the canon of the Restoration. This disruptive dissonance is driven by the pervasiveness in the church of varying levels of legalism (the same ailment afflicting ancient practitioners of the law of Moses), the interpretive construct alleging that we enter heaven because of our own obedience to, and compliance with, commandments and covenants (sacred contracts). Through the lens of legalism, the gospel is merely an improved law of Moses, a divine to-do list such that if we "[do] those things [we] shall live by them" (Romans 10:5), obtain through our own effort and exertion the requisite skills and qualities to dwell in the presence of a holy, perfect God, and otherwise personally overcome, with the assistance of our Redeemer (to the extent necessary), all the obstacles preventing us from a joyous reunion with our Heavenly Father. Consequently, my most ambitious goal in this work is to take a figurative wrecking ball to legalism's incomplete, distorted, inconsistent, faulty, and shortsighted appraisals of redeeming grace and the atonement that seem to permeate much of the teaching on these subjects in the church. Whatever the reason for our collective reticence to acknowledge the full reach and effect of the redeeming grace of Jesus, the Savior of the world, let us cast off any and all errors accumulated over the years, disentangle ourselves from the burdensome shackles and inherent blindness of legalism, and behold with new eyes the perfect intercession of the Lord, and the merciful dissemination of its blessings through grace to the fallen family of Adam and Eve. You may scoff at the claim by an unknown like me that many, both in the restored church of Christ and in Christianity at large, miss the mark with regard to grace. You may insist that you will never alter your allegedly mainstream, orthodox appraisal-or denial-of redeeming grace. But if you pay attention to the pages that follow, and ponder the words of the canon of the Restoration contained herein, I promise you, you will do just that.

Mormon Redeeming Grace

Mormon Redeeming Grace
Author: John Draney
Publisher:
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2013-06-21
Genre:
ISBN: 9781482370119

This book is a compilation of posts related to the doctrines of atonement and grace, which posts originate on the Mormon Redeeming Grace blog during the year 2012. Although I have made some editorial refinements and certain formatting modifications, what follows materially conforms to the original content. The majority of these posts-critiques, responses, rants-apply the canonical standards set forth in the book Redeeming Grace in the Canon of the Restoration (Amazon CreateSpace and Kindle 2011) to the doctrines of atonement and grace in selected addresses and articles by prominent Latter-day Saints. The remainder-essays, thoughts, explanations of one kind or another-examine these important doctrines. I argue that there is a pervasive yet unperceived significant discrepancy between the doctrines of atonement and grace in the canon of the Restoration and the mainstream teaching, expounding, and explanation of these doctrines (what I term Mormonspeak ) from the pulpit of the Restoration. In other words, the canon and the pulpit are at odds with one another and have been locked in an unacknowledged battle royal for at least the last 40 years, if not longer. What is remarkable is that no one seems to notice. I do. This book begins to document the particulars of the peculiar, unwarranted, and disconcerting struggle between canon and pulpit in the restored church of Christ, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These conspicuous missteps are everywhere, but the moment that we Latter-day Saints begin to see them, they will start to diminish, and then they will disappear altogether, for no one will want to say or write anything that is utterly contrary to the properly understood doctrines of atonement and grace in the canon of the Restoration. What should come as no surprise to anyone is the fact that the canon, the best of the best, will ultimately prevail over the errors from the pulpit. One day the true doctrines of atonement and grace will overcome the deleterious, injurious, and extensive errors of legalism. In that blessed day, I hope that no one is disappointed.

A Different Jesus?

A Different Jesus?
Author: Robert L. Millet
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2005-04-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780802828767

Drawing on both Christian and Latter-day Saint documents, Robert Millet clearly explains the many beliefs that Mormons hold in common with traditional Christians and also highlights differences where they exist.

Sovereign Grace: Its Source, Its Nature and Its Effects

Sovereign Grace: Its Source, Its Nature and Its Effects
Author: Dwight Lyman Moody
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 101
Release: 2019-12-06
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

This book explores the concept of grace and its profound impact on the lives of individuals. In this book, Moody delves into the source and nature of grace and explains how it is the foundation of salvation. The book also highlights how grace is not only essential for salvation but also for living and serving as a Christian.

Baxter's Explore the Book

Baxter's Explore the Book
Author: J. Sidlow Baxter
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 1846
Release: 2010-09-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310871395

Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.

The Reign of Grace

The Reign of Grace
Author: Abraham Booth
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 166
Release: 2015-11-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 1618980343

The doctrine of sovereign grace is here maintained and handled in a practical manner. It has been my endeavor, in the following pages, not only to state and defend the capital truths of the gospel, in a doctrinal way; but also to point out their peculiar importance, as happily adapted to awaken the conscience, and comfort the heart; to elevate the affections, and influence the whole conduct in the way of holiness. However the doctrine of Reigning Grace may be decried as licentious, it is that very truth which God in all ages has delighted to honor; which the Divine Spirit has owned for the information and comfort, for the holiness and happiness of sinful men. Were I not fully persuaded of this, rather than appear as an advocate for it, I would condemn my tongue to everlasting silence, and my pen to perpetual rest.