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

Dont 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 Gods 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 at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, President of The Gospel Coalition

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 rediscover the scandal of the gospel, the central fountain of the Christian life.

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 youve never lived it before!

GREGG R. ALLISON, Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

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 Gods 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 books for you. PROOF is not your standard portrayal of Reformed theology. Its unlike anything Ive 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, youll love this book (even when you dont 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 Gods 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, editor of GospelTaboo.com

Daniel Montgomery doesnt 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

ZONDERVAN

PROOF

Copyright 2014 by Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones

ePub Edition April 2014: ISBN 978-0-310-51390-2

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Montgomery, Daniel, 1974

Proof : finding freedom through the intoxicating joy of irresistible grace / Daniel Montgomery and Timothy Paul Jones.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-310-51389-6 (softcover)

1. Grace (Theology) 2. Liberty--Religious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.

BT761.3.M663 2014

234dc23 2013049565

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked ASV are taken from The Holy Bible,American Standard Version. Copyright 1901.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright 2000, 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

This book is published in association with Nappaland Literary Agency, an independent agency dedicated to publishing works that are: Authentic. Relevant. Eternal. Visit us on the web at: http://www.NappalandLiterary.com.

Cover design: Curt Diepenhorst

Cover photography: Tomas Rodriguez/Corbis

Interior design and composition: Greg Johnson/Textbook Perfect

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 /DCI/ 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

PROOF
is dedicated to our partners in the gospel, the current and future pastors of the Sojourn Network.

Truly, you are proof of Gods grace.

Philippians 1:35

CONTENTS