Free Grace Soteriology

by David R. Anderson

Though almost all branches of Christianity would claim to sail through the portals of heaven on a ship named GRACE, there is wide divergence of opinion on just what that means. One's understanding of justification, regeneration, sanctification, repentance, faith, and other subjects further refine the meaning of GRACE held by different factions within Christianity. This text book presents GRACE as absolutely free, not in the sense of being cheap or easy, but in the sense of a free gift (Eph 2:9) with no strings attached on either the front end or the back end of receiving this gift. The author believes this understanding of GRACE is a corollary of dispensationalism. Presented as an alternative to either Arminianism or Calvinism, this mediating position claims that God's so great salvation is absolutely free. Dave Anderson graduated from Rice University in 1967. He received his Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1972 and his Ph.D. in the Greek New Testament and Early Christian Literature in 1998, also from Dallas Seminary. He served with his wife Betty as church planters in the Houston area for over thirty years. Along the way he has been an adjunct professor for Dallas Seminary, teaching in three areas: Greek NT, Systematic Theology, and Bible Exposition. Currently he is President of Grace School of Theology and professor of biblical languages and systematic theology.

Genres: Christian

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Scott Torok · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not Biblical

This book uses the Greek to determine the meaning of words. We have an English Bible so you do not go to Greek words to understand English words. You either believe the Bible or you do not. People who hold the Greek manuscripts above the Bible are making themselves God. Guess what we do not have the original manuscripts.

This book says Romans 10:9,10 is works. Some Cult Churches may claim it you do not Confess Jesus to the Church as a part of Salvation than you are not saved.

Romans 10:8-13 is clearly a Salvation passage. The entire context is Salvation from Hell. It is belief in the Gospel.

It does not say a person needs to confess with their mouth to a person to other people, in front of a congregation. The Confession is to Jesus not to man.

Calling this works Salvation is saying the thief on the cross was Saved by works when he asked Jesus to Save him.

Also it does not say you have to confess with your mouth to be Saved. It just says if you do you will be Saved.

Verse 11 says: "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

The Bible is clear, this entire passage is clear that a person is Saved as soon as they believe the Gospel.

I believe when some is Saved when they have believed the Gospel they are having a conversation with Jesus.

A conversation: "Jesus I know that I am a sinner. I deserve to go to Hell for my sins. I am asking you right now Jesus to Save me from Hell. I believe the Gospel that you died were buried, and you rose on the third day to pay the penalty for all of my sins. Jesus I am trusting in you alone to Save me."

This book would call that prayer works. Saying a prayer is not works it is exactly what the thief on the cross did.

Romans 10:13 "For whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be Saved."

The only way today to call upon the name of the Lord today is through prayer.

Again the passage is not saying to Confess to anyone but Jesus.

This book is saying to Confess to Jesus to be Saved is just like requiring circumcision for Salvation.

Again verse 11 makes it clear just belief in Jesus is required for Salvation. It does say you will be Saved if you Confess Jesus and Believe the Gospel. Both are true. You are Saved by belief in Jesus. You are also Saved if you Confess to Jesus with your mouth that you believe on him.

Circumcision is not connected with Salvation in any way so to require it to be Saved is clearly a work.

This book makes connections that are not there.

I can not recommend this book.

[Jesse W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free Grace Soteriology (salvation) by Dr. David R. Anderson, PH,D

Dr. Anderson’s concept of “Spreadsheet Theology” suggests that “Systematic Theology” is a system that is unified, comprehensive, consistent, and holds everything. If a change is made in one part of the sheet, it may affect other parts of the system. Dr. Anderson effectively accounts for major components in the system and demonstrates a clear path for arguing how Eschatology and Soteriology are impacted. Bill Addison

[Steve Herreid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I have been visiting the church that was founded by the author, Dr. Dave Anderson. He is a proponent of "Free Grace" theology which he outlines and defends in the book. I was particularly interested in his attempt to position Free Grace in between historical Calvinism and Arminianism which he sees as adding requirements to the "front end" and "back end" of "salvation" respectively. Along the way he denies that repentance is necessary to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, a strong distinction between "relationship" and "fellowship" at many points in the New Testament (particularly 1 John), and mounts a spirited attack on "Lordship Salvation". Overall I found Dr. Anderson's arguments to be interesting but less than persuasive.

The book is a compendium of teaching notes and previously published articles. This shows in places.

This book was OK.

[Wickus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every Bible believing Christian!! Theologically sound and very informative, not to mention the scholarship. This book is an absolute necessity for all Bible students!! Get this book!!