Green Pastures: Ordinary Means of Grace for Ordinary Believers

Confessional perspectives #1

by J. Ryan Davidson

Green Ordinary Means of Grace for Ordinary Believers is an introduction to the ordinary means of the Word, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer.

This book is a helpful guide to understanding the ordinary means of grace, aimed at the person in the pew. Written as a scriptural survey of the various ordinary means of grace, the book details the idea of what is meant by “ordinary means of grace” and it walks through the ministry of the Word, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and prayer, with a chapter dedicated to each. Finally, there is a discussion on the weekly rhythm the Scriptures reveal for the nourishment of the people of Christ.

Genres: Theology

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[j.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

A wonderful little introduction to the means of grace. Whether that phrase is new to you or you’ve been familiar with it for some time, this book will bring about a greater understanding and appreciation for the means of grace. This was especially helpful to read while going through a sermon series on the same topic. It helped emphasize some of the main ideas brought out in the sermon messages. I wish there had been a bit more on the church/fellowship as a means of grace, but that was the only area in which I felt this book lacked. I would recommend this eagerly to anyone looking to understand this topic better.

[Libby Valerio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nourishing to the soul, this one.

[Jonathan Josey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little book about the ordinary means of grace for all believers — the preaching of the word, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. A very easy and simple read — one that would be beneficial to any layperson.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction into an often neglected subject within ecclesiology. Make the Means of Grace Great Again!

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book on how Christ is present amongst and feeds his flock through the Word, the Sacraments and Prayer, in the Church; especially on the Lord's Day.

This a simple and accessible book on what should be the basic structure of the christian life.

[Ivo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro

De lectura muy simple y entregando enseñanzas que nunca debemos olvidar, ya que es fundamental en la vida de cada creyente.

[Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Wharfe was kind enough to send me a review copy of their book, "Green Pastures: Ordinary Means of Grace for Ordinary Believers" by J. Ryan Davidson.

This book is part of their "A Confessional Perspective" series, which includes this and 3 other books, each of which explores a Particular Baptist doctrine found in the Second London Baptist Confession (1689). Think of it like a Baptist version of P&R's "Blessings of the Faith" series. It's the same basic idea, and it's a really wonderful idea!

This book in particular was one that I'm passionate about. The ordinary means of grace are key to Biblical theology, piety, and practice. Unfortunately, the ordinary means of grace have fallen on hard times in too many churches. The guiding section of this little book comes from chapter 14 of the 2LBC: "The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word; by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and strengthened." (2LBC 14.1).

Appropriately, there is a chapter in this book for each of the means of grace (the Word, baptism, Lord's Supper, prayer). In particular, I found the chapters on the preaching of the Word and prayer to be helpful.

As a non-Baptist, I found chapter 3 to be the weakest. That said, it's strong in many ways the other Baptist explanations of Baptism are not. In particular, it discusses what it means that Baptism is an "effectual means of salvation" (pg. 28), the unique jurisdiction of the church over baptism (pg. 30), and that baptism is a one-time thing (pg. 30).

Also worth noting, the book is to be commended for defending the spiritual presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper over and against transubstantiation and memorialism. It's officially confessed in the 2LBC, but I've never before come across a Baptist who unashamedly teaches it. For that, this book must be commended.

In general, I'd say that this book is a worthwhile (if imperfect) introduction to the ordinary means of grace. It is a good and consise examination of the relevant issues and it does a good job showing the importance of each means of grace. I don't agree with everything argued here, but what's good vastly outweighs the bad. I definitely recommend checking this out!

[Mitchell Shetenhelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise resource on the reformed tradition of the Means of Grace. As a recent reformed Baptist, I found this book as a helpful tool to reinforce on my beliefs on the Means of Grace. I wish more Baptists would know about the Means of Grace, it would give rest to more people! The chapter that benefited me the most is on prayer as a means of grace. Davidson hits the nail on the head that prayer is not a transaction but it is an utter dependence on the Lord's grace. It does not mean that Christians must have this "posture" of total humility all the time to receive such grace, but as His children who are tired, weak, frail, and broken, He will give His grace at the gathering on the Lord's day and throughout the week. The Lord is kind and gracious!! Anyways, this is a must have resource for any reformed Baptist pastor/congregant to have (also other reformed Christian)! Christ is for us in our salvation and sanctification :)!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book J. Ryan Davidson presents a simple case from the Bible for the historic doctrine of the means of grace. He covers prayer, preaching, singing and other means of grace outlined in the Scriptures. The book is short and although it is merely an introduction to the subject, it does cover many of bases. Doctrinal and also devotional.