PROOF: Finding Freedom through the Intoxicating Joy of Irresistible Grace - Softcover

Daniel Montgomery; Timothy Paul Jones

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310513898 ISBN 13: 9780310513896

Publisher: Zondervan, 2014

Synopsis

It's time to open your eyes to the freeing power of authentic grace---grace that releases us from trying to earn God's favor, grace that liberates from the tyranny of trying to please others, grace that empowers us to pursue authentic holiness.

That's what the theology of Martin Luther and John Calvin did in their own day for the people around them. Time magazine recently dubbed Calvinism as one of the top ten ideas changing the world right now. And yet most of these discussions center on the issue of predestination or on whether particular people agree with the five points of Calvinism. Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones think it's time to rescue the theology of the Reformers from stale scholasticizing and to declare anew the intoxicating joy of the gospel they proclaimed. 

PROOF stands for planned grace, resurrecting grace, outrageous grace, overcoming grace, and forever grace. The authors offer proof of God's grace on which people can stand against the attacks of cheap grace and legalism that have led many of God's people to lose sight of the freedom and joy of the gospel. And this proof is intoxicating---it's like a 200-proof drink that will leave you spiritually staggering at its effect on your life. God's grace not only declares us 'not guilty!' in his presence, it changes our relationship with God---forever.

About this title

About the Authors

Daniel Montgomery is the founder and CEO of Leadership Reality, a learning and development agency. Daniel founded and led Sojourn Community Church for over seventeen years and is the founder of Sojourn Network, a church planting network in North America. He coaches, writes, and consults on the topic of leadership, theology, and mission for businesses and churches around the world.

Timothy Paul Jones serves as professor of leadership at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and works in the SojournKids children's ministry at Sojourn Community Church. Before coming to Louisville, Timothy led churches in Missouri and Oklahoma as a pastor and an associate pastor. He has been widely recognized as a leading writer and researcher in the fields of apologetics, church history, and family ministry. He has authored or contributed to more than a dozen books, including Misquoting Truth (InterVarsity, 2007), Christian History Made Easy (Rose, 2010), and the CBA bestseller The Da Vinci Codebreaker (Bethany House, 2005).

From the Inside Flap

In PROOF Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones paint a multifaceted picture of grace that is refreshing to the soul, edifying to the church, and magnetic to those who have experienced that grace first hand.

--Ed Stetzer, President, LifeWay Research

Don't let the title PROOF fool you: this is not a traditional book about apologetics. It is a book that works out how Christians themselves are the "proof" of God's grace. Instead of viewing robust biblical teaching as a deadening weight on vital Christian living, these two authors are busy finding freedom through the intoxicating joy of irresistible grace (as the subtitle puts it). The detailed endnotes will satisfy more intellectual readers, but the rest of the book will prove a great help to the rest of us who want to learn in experience how some of the central truths of the gospel transform not only our thinking but our lives.

--D. A. Carson, Research Professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

PROOF is one of the most well-reasoned and heart-engaging presentations of the Reformed faith I have read since becoming a Christian in 1968. Rooted in the history of theology, faithful to the text of Scripture, and accessible to a contemporary audience, these brothers throw the curtains wide open on the contours and grandeur of the gospel.

--Scotty Smith, Teacher-in-Residence, West End Community Church

PROOF is biblical, forceful, winsome, and clear about who God is, how God works, and what God wants. Daniel and Timothy have given us a treasure!

--Darrin Patrick, Pastor, The Journey

A book on the doctrines of grace that delights as much as it challenges? That exhilarates as much as it informs? That entertains as it enlightens? Be still my beating heart. ... PROOF is a rare breed indeed. Get it, savor it, let it bowl you over with the spectacular grace of God.

--Jared Wilson, author of The Storytelling God

This book demonstrates a wealth of reflection on both modern and ancient sources, helping us re-discover the scandal of the gospel.

--J.D. Greear, author of Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart

Daniel and Timothy will take you on a journey of grace in a way that you've never lived it before!

--Gregg R. Allison, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

By unpacking the doctrines of grace in a fresh way, PROOF gives to the twenty-first century Christians a potent and powerful summary of what God has done for sinners.

--Phillip Holmes, Vice President, Reformed African-American Network

PROOF is a fresh, new approach to the historical doctrines of grace. It will refresh and encourage the veteran learner and provide substance without the complicated jargon for the novice.

--Trillia Newbell, author of United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity.

Sadly, the doctrines of grace have often been used to score theological points. But PROOF shows how grace changes lives and brings joy.

--Tim Chester, Associate Director, Porterbrook Seminary

At the end of PROOF you will walk away with a comprehensive knowledge of grace, and even more importantly, with a heart of worship for the Grace-Giver.

--Flame, Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist, ClearSightMusic.com

Modern believers, who often unknowingly swing from license to legalism in their attempts to please God, need this joyous proclamation of the plan of salvation. This is a wonderful way of introducing the Canons of Dort to the heirs of the Me Generation.

--Eric Redmond, Professor in Residence, New Canaan Baptist Church

If predestination has often felt stodgy and stifling, this book's for you. PROOF is not your standard portrayal of Reformed theology. It's unlike anything I've come across before. The style is engaging, the stories are captivating, the logic is compelling, and best of all the theology is rock solid and biblically faithful. Trust me, you'll love this book (even when you don't agree with it!).

--Sam Storms, Lead Pastor, Bridgeway Church

Pastorally wise and academically rigorous, ... PROOF will pull you into the conversation and press you to consider afresh the biblical text and your own experience of God's grace.

--J. Michael Thigpen, Executive Director, Evangelical Theological Society

PROOF contrasts true grace with our typical perception of grace in a way that will drive souls to experience freedom, joy, and worship.

--Rebekah Hannah, Columbia University Christian Union Ministry Fellow

PROOF is a gift that not only stirred my affections toward Christ but also overwhelmed me with the continual and sustaining work of the Gospel in our lives.

--John Bryson, Pastor, Fellowship Memphis, Acts 29 Executive Board Member

Daniel Montgomery doesn't just understand grace. ... No, grace arrested him, then grace tutored him, and now grace compels him to help others stand amazed.

--Dave Harvey, Pastor, Four Oaks Community Church

PROOF paints a powerful picture that the gospel is not a cheap bucket of grace that sits at the foot of the cross. Rather, the gospel is an ever-flowing, deep river of irresistible grace that flows from the foot of the cross.

--Brian Croft, Senior Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church

PROOF is engaging, memorably written and full of tight, biblical thinking. This is deep, soul-nourishing theology restated for a new generation.

--Greg Gilbert, co-author of What is the Mission of the Church?

Daniel and Timothy ground their book in the truth of Scripture and call for mystery, paradox, beauty, community, and mission to become a regular part of our grammar regarding grace. I cannot wait to get this book into our people's hands!

--Kevin Cawley, Pastor, Redeemer Fellowship

Edition details

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0310513898
• ISBN 13: 9780310513896
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224