Broken Wharfe recently published the Confessional Perspective series. Each book aims to do theology for the church from a confessional and pastoral perspective. Written for lay Christians, these beautifully designed books serve as helpful entryways into the rich heritage of the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. Broken Wharfe has generously provided us with copies that we intend to review over the course of this month.
This article reviews Ryan Davidson’s Green Pastures: Ordinary Means of Grace for Ordinary Believers. Davidson serves as the Pastor at Grace Baptist Chapel in Hampton, Virginia. He is also the Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Dean of Students at International Reformed Baptist Seminary (IRBS).
In Chapter 1, Davidson introduces readers to Paul's farewell to the elders in Ephesus by showing how the Apostle turns our attention to the God who builds up his people by communicating grace through ordained means. God supplies the grace of faith to his people and strengthens their faith by the same grace through ordained and ordinary means. Although God may use other means in the Christian’s life, “he has appointed specific, regular, ordinary means that he will use to grow believers in grace” (5). He defines these means as “The instruments Christ ordinarily uses to birth and strengthen the faith of the elect as he is present among them” (6). These ordinary means include the Word, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer. Davidson concludes the chapter with a brief introduction to each of the means.
Davidson begins Chapter 2 with a reference to 1 Peter 1:22-23 and affirms with Heinrich Bullinger and the Second Helvetic Confession that “The Preaching of the Word of God is the Word of God.” Davidson explains that the Word is “not only a converting means, but also a continual means of grace in the life of the believer” (19). The Word is a converting and continual means because Christ speaks to his people through the preaching of the Word. Using John 10:16, Acts 26:19-23, and Ephesians 2:13-17, Davidson argues that Christ preaches to Jewish and Gentile believers after the ascension. As a consequence, he reasons, “A faithful preacher is simply a mouthpiece through which God speaks. The word faithfully preached is a means of conversion, it is a means of grace, and a means by which Christ speaks to his people” (24). This converting and continual means of grace must be central to the ministry of the local church and ground the believer’s weekly rhythm.
Davidson turns his attention to baptism in Chapter 3. According to Matthew 28:19-20, Christ is with the church until the end of the age. What does he doing during that time? He communicates his grace as the church baptizes those converted by the preaching of the Word. Davidson explains that baptism, although commanded by Christ, does not save anyone. Here, Davidson introduces the distinction between an ordinance and a sacrament. Although he believes the terms may be used interchangeably, “ordinance refers to that which has been ordained, or put in place, by Christ,” whereas a “sacrament refers to what an ordinance does when blessed by the Spirit of Christ: that is, it acts like a means of grace” (31). After a brief nod to Augustine’s notion of “visible words,” Davidson discusses how baptism serves as a means of grace for the individual and the whole church. Baptism is a sign that proclaims our union with Christ, preaches new life, points to a community, and gives assurance to believers. Davidson encourages readers to look at their baptism as a sign of God’s Covenant of Grace.
In Chapter 4, Davidson presents the Lord’s Supper as the feast that nourishes the souls of believers. The Supper is the meal of the Covenant of Grace founded on the Covenant of Redemption. The Covenant of Grace is promised in Genesis 3:15 and proclaimed in the Table, another means of grace. Davidson denies that God grants justifying grace through the Supper or that the elements transform into the literal body and blood of Christ. These denials do not relegate believers to a mere memorial of Christ at the Supper. Instead, believers ought to affirm that Christ is spiritually present with them as they participate in the body and blood of the Lord through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:16). The Spirit nourishes and strengthens our faith as we commune with the risen Lord.
Prayer occupies the theme of Chapter 5. Christ commands his church to pray and pours out his blessing upon the church through prayer. The great blessing of prayer is God’s presence with believers and their assurance that they are heard by the God of the universe. Davidson draws attention to Hebrews 4:16 and Ephesians 3:14-19. These texts demonstrate that believers may find mercy and grace through prayer, and God will grow, encourage, and nourish believers through prayer (54, 57). In prayer, the Spirit aids believers as they come to God in the name of Jesus and pray according to the Father’s will. When believers pray for specific needs not found in Scripture, they profess trust in “the God of the outcome” rather than claiming a specific outcome (62). Davidson concludes the chapter by encouraging believers to supply their “amen” in corporate prayer.
In Chapter 6, Davidson concludes the book by turning our eyes heavenward to the ascended and reigning King who is present to feed his people on the Christian Sabbath in the local church. Davidson weaves the means of grace throughout the chapter and reminds readers that God supplies a day in the week when Christ feeds his sheep with all four means. He makes a brief case for the Christian Sabbath by distinguishing moral and positive law, defending the tripartite division of the law, and answering objections against the abiding validity of the Christian Sabbath. Christians enjoy these means on a particular day with other believers in their local church as the Good Shepherd nourishes their souls.
Davidson provides readers with an excellent primer on the means of grace. He clearly and succinctly explains the means and how they are used by Christ in the church while warding off errors that either turn the means into an avenue of justifying grace or strip them of their nourishing efficacy. He faithfully directs readers to Scripture, wisely incorporates the Confession, and judiciously employs historical sources.
Saints of all seasons will be edified by Davidson’s work. Young saints will be intellectually stimulated and trained to look forward to the ordinary means. Older saints will be warmed by all the ways God has fed them throughout their sojourning. Discouraged saints will find rest for their souls. Inquiring saints will find answers to important questions. Consumer driven saints will be refreshed by the calm waters of God’s grace.
As a minister, I (Drew) highly commend this book to you as a resource pastors can joyously place in the hands of new believers and new members. Davidson’s book will help your members appreciate the beauty of Reformed worship, piety, and doctrine. We have already purchased multiple copies to give as a gifts to new members. Ministers will want to distribute this resource generously, employ it in a book study, use it for Sunday school, or help disciple a young saint and show them the green pastures where the Shepherd nourishes their souls.