Welcome to a Publishing Project Connected with GreatControversy.org:

Reactions from Those who Have Read the Manuscript

Kevin D. Paulson:

"A stunning rebuke to the doctrine of powerless grace so popular just now in contemporary Christianity."

Herbert E. Douglass:

"These pages ring with clarity in letting the Bible tell the truth about God's unlimited grace and His willingness to get in the trenches with us -- to help us work out the kind of lives that can be trusted with eternal life."

Dennis Priebe:

"The gospel -- how one is saved from sin -- should be the most easily understood subject in the Bible. Strangely, it has become one of the most misunderstood and confusing topics of Bible study. This book exposes misconceptions about salvation and refocuses our attention on the basic simplicity of God's plan for saving lost sinners."

What is Important About this Book?

If there is one area that in recent years has received special attention in the pages of mainstream Adventist publications, it is the topic of "grace." And yet, most often emphasis has been placed upon a faulty version. The spotlight has been shone on vague descriptions of grace which only rarely have emphasized that beyond unmerited favor, grace is power to obey.

Readers have been deluged with numerous discussions regarding "grace," from "grace orientation," to the "who you know" angles. As has been noted, we seem to be facing, not the "new" theology anymore, but A "Newer" Theology. We see advocated in today's pages of our denomination's flagship publications teachings that, scarcely two decades ago in the crisis that then shook the church, were rejected as false!

Missionary journals also published by our church have focused on these powerless, blandish recitations of evangelical grace that cannot be harmonized with the Bible as understood by Seventh-day Adventists.

Thus, challenge awaits God's people on many fronts. Within the church we need to hear more about the grace that earlier generations of Adventists understood. At the same time, we also need materials we can share with non-Adventists that will catch their attention, and prepare them to be interested in the Bible truths that harmonize righteousness by faith with Revelation 14, and which are found today only in Adventism.

The Strategy of the Book

Real Grace for Real People begins its journey in a chapter dealing what grace is, working from Titus and Romans six. Most of Real Grace's twelve chapters circle around a discussion of every occurrance of the word "grace" in the book of Romans. The journey pauses to focus special attention on questions involving what the Bible really teaches about justification, and about the role of conditions in salvation. The book finishes with a look into the parable of the wedding garment in Matthew chapter 22.

Ideas are presented with reference to the Bible. The arguments made take Scripture for their foundation. Those who have said that SDA beliefs are found only in the writings of Ellen G. White and not in the Bible will be disappointed, for it is shown that the gospel as understood by Adventists is indeed the biblical gospel after all! Thus, the book is an ideal volume to share with Adventists who have been led to embrace a false gospel, just as it is ideal for non-Adventists who need to hear a portrayal of the gospel that is sound and which prepares them to accept other unpopular teachings centered in present truth. Serious Adventists have been waiting a long time for a book like this to strengthen themselves and share with others. Now it is almost here.

Samples from the Book

The book is based loosely upon a series of sermons preached from 1999-2001 I titled Real Grace. The original material has been considerably reworked, improved and expanded. Much of the material in the book has never been published anywhere. So. Want samples? Here are some:

Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3

Here is the list of book sections:

Dedication
Foreward
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter #1: Real Grace for Real People (Titus 2:11-14)
Chapter #2: Grace and Obedience (Romans 1-3)
Chapter #3: Justification, pt. 1 (Key Concepts)
Chapter #4: Justification, pt. 2 (Romans 4)
Chapter #5: The Reign of Grace (Romans 5)
Chapter #6: Excuses Destroyed (Romans 6-8)
Chapter #7: Is Grace the Cheater's Pass-Key? (Romans 9-11)
Chapter #8: Grace to Transform (Romans 12-16)
Chapter #9: Three Positions, pt. 1 (The Question of Precedence)
Chapter #10 Three Positions, pt. 2 (Neglected New Testament Insights)
Chapter #11 Three Positions, pt. 3 (Root, Fruit, and Other Issues)
Chapter #12: Real Grace at the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)
Epilogue
Scripture Index

Needs

We have elected to publish via an experienced, quality publisher known for producing and distributing high quality books that teach without reservation the undiluted truths of the Seventh-day Adventist message. Orion Publishing has also recently produced books by Adventists known for their soundness and commitment to this message, including Erwin R. Gane, Dennis Priebe, and Thomas Davis.

Because we take this route, we need your help in acquiring the money needed to publish this book. We are planning for an initial print run of 3000 copies. Our costs including printing, shipping to our publisher/distributor, cover design, editing, etcetera, we anticipate to be approximately $6500.00. With God's help, we have already been blessed as during the past year the Lord has helped us raise some $2400.00 toward this amount. We are appealing to you now to consider if it may be possible for you to aid us in pushing this project forward by contributing the donations needed now to go press. (Update: This amount has been raised through the contributions of several serious Adventists. Thank you so very much!)

HOW TO DONATE FOR THIS BOOK PROJECT

So. How can you donate funds for this project? Send to Orion publishing your check, money order, etcetera, and indicate with your donation that it is being given specifically for the Kirkpatrick book project, or the Real Grace book project. Just make clear that this is what the funds are for. Be sure to include your address, and you will be sent a receipt for your donation. Funds donated are tax-deductible. Here are means of contacting Orion:

Office Hours:

8:00 am to 5:00 pm Mon. - Thurs.
8:00 am to 2:00 pm Fri.
Pacific Time

By Phone:

800-471-4284
707-462-7844

By Fax:

707-462-7845

By Mail:

Orion Publishing
PO Box 449
Ukiah, CA 95482

By Email:

orion@mcn.org

Our Thanks

Friends, we want to thank you for even considering helping us with this project. We are sure that many of you face close financial challenges yourselves. I have been surprised how much work it has been to produce and improve the manuscript. The project has entailed the investment of very, very considerable time and energy, reading through again and again, adding, subtracting, rewriting, reworking. You may have noticed the GreatControversy.org website has been quieter during the past year. Now you know exactly why. Coming to the present point has required a vast fund of our energy. Constant application has now brought the completed manuscript to the hands of our capable copy editor (Note: See update at top of page). Very soon now the only lack will be the money to put the book on the press. We have done what we could. We studied, wrote, wrote again, and developed the manuscript.

We view GCO as a community project; it is a team effort by many serious SDAs who love present truth and are unwilling to see it shrink away to the sidelines. If you are able to join us in this project, we know you'll be blessed. May God bless His work. Thank you for your contributions, whether in prayer, finance, or both. May heaven accelerate the production and influence of books containing present truth in our day.

Ellen G. White Quotes

"The pen is a power in the hands of men who feel the truth burning upon the altar of their hearts, and who have an intelligent zeal for God, balanced with sound judgment. The pen, dipped in the fountain of pure truth, can send the beams of light to dark corners of the earth, which will reflect its rays back, adding new power, and giving increased light to be scattered everywhere." (Ellen G. White, Life Sketches, p. 214).

"The press is a powerful means to move the minds and hearts of the people. . . . The press is a powerful instrumentality which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples. Many minds can be reached in no other way." (Ellen G. White, Christian Experience, pp. 225-227).

"The publishing branch of our cause has much to do with our power. I do desire that it shall accomplish all that the Lord designs it should. If our bookmen do their part faithfully, I know, from the light God has given me, that the knowledge of present truth will be doubled and trebled." (Ellen G. White, Life Sketches, pp. 446, 447).