The definition of grace determines the means by which God communicates it to His people. Grudem, who defines God’s grace only as His favor, seems to posit an expansive list that includes the different elements connected to life in the church. Grudem states, “The means of grace are any activities within the fellowship of the church that God uses to give more grace to Christians.” Based on this premise, Grudem argues that the Word and sacraments are means of grace along with Christian fellowship. If grace is only God’s favor, then such a conclusion is warranted, though Grudem does place the teaching of the Word as the first and most important means. If, however, God’s grace is the person and work of Christ applied by the Holy Spirit, this sets the means on a different and more limited trajectory. This is especially the case vis-a-vis the views of McLaren, who basically eradicates the difference between common and special grace by holding that anything in the creation can be a means.
From: Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism by J. V. Fesko (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2010), pp. 274-275.
