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David W. Cloud (born 1949) is a prominent Independent Baptist missionary, publisher and writer. He is the founder and director of the Way of Life literature and the editor of the magazine O Timothy.

Career

David Cloud is the director of the Way of Life literature, which has published over 200 books and he has been involved with missionary work in Nepal. Cloud has been involved in much controversy over the topic of repentance within the Independent Baptist movement, arguing against the view held by many Independent Baptists that repentance in the salvific context only refers to a change of mind. Instead, Cloud believes that repentance refers to a willingness to not forsake sin, resulting in good works.In 2011, Shelton Smith responded to David Cloud's arguments concerning repentance in a Sword of the Lord article, where Smith defended the belief of the former editor of the paper, Curtis Hutson who taught that repentance does not refer to either turning from sin or sorrow for sin but referring to turning from unbelief to belief. Cloud's view was also critiqued by the non-IFB Grace Evangelical Society, which argued that Cloud erred in understanding repentance as being a part of salvation and not merely relationship.

Cloud has also been a strong critic of Calvinism, writing a book on the topic named The Calvinism Debate. This was critiqued by the Evangelical Apologist James White, who was also highly critical of his fundamentalist stances.

Cloud is strongly King James only, nevertheless, he has critiqued the more extreme positions of Gail Riplinger, criticizing her conspiratorial stances. After which Riplinger attempted to respond to him in her book Blind Guides.

Cloud is a strong advocate of separationism, and teaches secondary separation. When in 2003 fundamentalist Baptists formed the International Baptist Network, attempting to unite Independent Fundamentalist Baptists, David Cloud alongside other stricter separationists strongly criticized the idea.

He has also strongly critiqued the public school system.

Beliefs

Soteriology

The Grace Evangelical Society has observed that David Cloud's soteriology in many ways is similar to Free Grace theology, such as in his rejection of introspection for assurance, distinguishing relationship from salvation, the conditional nature of spiritual growth, the possibility of carnality in the life of a Christian and the necessity of absolute submission to Jesus for salvation. However, his view of repentance as referring to having the desire to no longer sin is contrary to Free Grace theology, and it was criticized by the society.

Triadology

David Cloud is a trinitarian, arguing against the doctrines of Modalism and Arianism. However, he rejects the usage of verses such as Psalm 2:7 to establish the doctrine of eternal generation, and has argued that each of the persons of the trinity have their own center of consciousness and voltion. He also affirms the doctrine of the eternal subordination of the Son.

Personal life

Cloud converted to Christianity in 1973 when he was 23 years old, before that associating with hippie culture. He was got married in 1976 and has 4 children alongside 9 grandchildren.

1. ^ "The Calvinism Debate – Grace Evangelical Society". faithalone.org. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
2. ^ "About Way of Life". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
3. College, Fairhaven Baptist. "David Cloud Module | Fairhaven Baptist College". Retrieved 2025-01-14.
4. ^ "A Cloudy View of Salvation: David W. Cloud on Repentance – Grace Evangelical Society". faithalone.org. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
5. "Sword of the Lord's Smokescreen About Repentance". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
6. White, James (2003-04-23). "David Cloud and Fundamentalist Traditionalism". Alpha and Omega Ministries. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
7. White, James (2005-01-25). "David Cloud Tries to Save Face". Alpha and Omega Ministries. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
8. "What About Gail Riplinger's New Book?". Way of Life Literature. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
9. Riplinger, Gail. Blind Guides. A.V. Publishers. ISBN 978-0-9794117-5-5.
10. "The Collapse of Separatism". www.wayoflife.org. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
11. Jonas, William Glenn (2008). The Baptist River: Essays on Many Tributaries of a Diverse Tradition. Mercer University Press. ISBN 978-0-88146-120-6.
12. Middleton, Kelly E.; Petitt, Elizabeth A. (2007-11). Who Cares?: Improving Public Schools Through Relationships and Customer Service. Wheatmark, Inc. ISBN 978-1-58736-800-4. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
13. "David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, and Lordship Salvation – Grace Evangelical Society". faithalone.org. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
14. Cloud, David W. (2021). God the Trinity. Way of Life Literature Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-58318-296-3.

• 1949 births
• Living people
• 21st-century American male writers
• 21st-century American non-fiction writers
• 21st-century Baptist ministers from the United States