The Cross and Salvation The Doctrine of Salvation by Demarest, Bruce [Crossway,2006]

Foundations of Evangelical Theology

by Bruce A. Demarest

The Cross and Salvation The Doctrine of Salvation by Demarest, Bruce. Published by Crossway,2006, Hardcover

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, School, Faith, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, middle of the road, Reformed evangelical treatment of the doctrine of salvation. I think John Murray’s “Redemption Accomplished and Applied“ is still the go-to book here, but this is a helpful supplement.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far one of the best books I read in seminary! I came to it more of an Arminian but came out of it a Calvinist. I used to be very turned off by the Calvinists who had more zeal than intellectual depth, compassion, and respect. This book had it all. It presented different views on issues of salvation in a manner I feel was very fair but nonetheless the author offered why he prefer the Calvinist positions in clear, logical, believable, fair, and respectful manner that just really made sense to me. It is actually a book I plan to go back to regularly to review and to reflect.

[David Rathel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a comprehensive treatment of the doctrine of salvation. Demarest does an excellent job in presenting various soteriological positions. His scope is exhaustive; he covers everything from liberation theology to Lutheranism to Arminianism. In the end, he argues quite persuasively for a slightly modified reformed understanding. However, his personal views never unfairly color his treatment of the other schools of thought.

[Danny Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very dense read that gives you the basics on what different camps believe. Takes a while to get through, but worth it is you can perservere.

[Micah Lugg · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this a supplement to Grudem's Systematic Theology in a theology class at The Master's Seminary.

The strengths of this book are two-fold.
1. He devotes a great amount of material to the historical interpretations of the doctrines, not many theology books do that.
2. The book if flooded with Scripture. He clearly endeavors to show what Scripture teaches, not just what he thinks Scripture says.

Demarest generally teaches the Reformed/Calvinist position on these doctrines:
* grace
* election
* the atonement
* calling
* conversion
* regeneration
* union with Christ
* justification
* sanctification
* preservation & perseverance
* glorification

[Daniel Scheiderer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book, but he seems to misunderstand what hyper-Calvinism is and what it's not. As others have said, he also takes a 4-point view. This book is a great overview of the soteriological landscape, even if I disagree with some of his positions.

[Eric Durso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource. Don't agree with everything in it, but pretty close.

[Jared Beebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really long book in duration, but I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout. Demarest covers the major movements of salvation found in the Lord Jesus Christ. The history of interpretation of different sects of Christianity, along with the exegesis of passages of Scripture are covered concerning the different doctrines of soteriology. I disagreed with Demarest on some of his finer points in the ordo salutis. He often sifts the details far to fine, and logically, he gets weighted down with some of his conclusions. However, all in all, this is a major book concerning the doctrine of salvation. Every serious scholar, pastor, and layman should read this book. It will benefit them greatly.

[Michael Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book covering the doctrines related to salvation and the Scripture to back them up, along with the different views Christians have had throughout church history. Good view on union with Christ and how it relates to the ordo salutis. Does not handle limited atonement well, but overall a good volume to have if you want to go deeper into soteriology than the combined systematic theology tomes out there.

[Troy Solava · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful, easily organized, and practical work on soteriology. It informs the reader of the various views held of each position. Then it explains the biblical passages related to the doctrine. A very helpful resource to have on the shelf. I particularly enjoyed the historical theology features of this work.

[John Ben Colvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good summery of Evangelical/reformed baptist beliefs. I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of the theology and interpretations that Demarest presents but he presents them very faithfully to evangelical tradition. If you are looking for a source about reformed evangelicalism and their beliefs on soteriology this is great.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful, encyclopedic approach to soteriology. Presents various views on each subtopic (Roman Catholic, Liberal, Lutheran, Reformed, Neo-orthodox, and Evangelical), along with abundant scripture references and analysis.

A very useful reference volume.

[Joshua Pankey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for careful examination of the different aspects of salvation. It’s organized in a helpful way. I plan on coming back to it again for my own understanding and teaching of the salvation process.

[Jerrill Wyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful theological book. Can be read or used as a reference.

[Caleb Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good survey of historical theology on the cross and salvation.

[Cole Ragsdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense + Precise. Will keep on the shelf for reference to any aspect of soteriology. The depth of historical and modern perspectives was appreciated.

[Vincent Lesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was nicely written where the Theology was explained clealry. The book was readable. I enjoyed the practical implication section after every chapter.

[Steve Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeremiah McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

[Austin Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive and extremely helpful in both study and application. Will definitely refer back to this often.

[Joshua Loftin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love books that provide surveys of various interpretations on specific topics! This is exactly what Demarest does. Highly recommend this book that surveys a theology of salvation.

[Wendyle Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good resource for a conservative biblical view on Soteriology

[Matthew Richey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in seminary. Re-read for a refresher. Solid, not earth-shattering.

[Anna Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s just say this book is thorough ..

[Rick Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read on the doctrine of Soteriology - salvation. Demarest has taken a great approach to the book. He begins each chapter with pertinent questions to lay down the reason for the study. He follows this up with a walk through all the major positions historically taken as an answer to the issue. He then takes the reader through an exegetical study from Scripture on the issue, and culminates each chapter with some applications one should take away from the study. In one volume, this is a great start for study in the area of Soteriology.

[Jeffrey Niles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and new text on Soteriology. Demarest deals with the issues clearly and highlights the historical positions taken by many different sides, sharing the strengths and weaknesses of each view, but then also deals with the doctrine from a biblical perspective, surveying the passages which deal with each area.

[Miss Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author lists out each component of the doctrine of salvation and then present every model/view/theory according to different groups of thoughts, then clearly explain what a reformed evangelical believe.

[Michael Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole book is outstanding but it contains one of the best explanations of Union with Christ in evangelical theology. Demarest follows Calvin (along with Dabey and Strong) in seeing union with Christ as experiential, being clothed with Christ.

[Regenerated Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book with a variety of different views on salvation but the writer is coming from a reformed standpoint

[L. R. Bouligny Bouligny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demarest covers all the doctrines concerning salvation. He does a thorough job of weighing the views and making sound conclusions. I recommend this book!