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Summary: Loved it!
Review: Sproul somewhat reminds me of C.S. Lewis and Chesterton. Their style of writing is very similar, full of dry and witty humor. He is blunt, almost arrogant at times, and fun to read. Theological issues may not be the most entertaining to read, but because of his style of writing, he is able to portray the controversial issues to laypeople. This was my first book by Sproul and have become a fan of his since. True, he might not be as thorough as some theologians would want it, but for a layperson, it's a fantastic resource.
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Summary: Good book for any Christian
Review: This book is an excelent book even for non-Calvinists. R. C. Sproul does a great job of presenting his view on the debate, without offending people who believe otherwise. He understands that this debate is only a secondary issue within the church, and that people who do not believe this way are by no means absolutely wrong. It gives you a better understanding on why predestination very well could be how salvation is decided, and then again, it may not be. If you want to find out exactly why Calvinists believe what they do, this book is a must read.
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Summary: Best intro to God's sovereignty!
Review: Calvinism has been given a bad name because of its claim on how God's sovereign grace works. Sproul shows how scripture actually supports some of these controversial doctrines. Like it or not. God does know His sheep and He does choose who He wants to go to heaven. Also, God is sovereign over the ends and means of creation. Otherwise, He wouldn't be God! I think you'll be more comfortable with a God who sustains the world than a God who lets the world run out of control.
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Summary: RC Sproul on the doctrine of election
Review: This is a good book. Sproul's thesis is that God chose individuals to be saved before the beginning of time, and that he chose to pass the others by. He stops short of saying that God predestined them to go to hell, but by saying that God chose to pass them by, it doesn't leave the poor blokes who were passed by a whole lot of alternative. And there are scripture passages which teach almost the opposite of what Sproul is saying. I'm thinking of 2 Peter 3:9 which says that that Lord doesn't want anyone to perish, but that all should come to repentance. And 1 Timothy 2:4 says that "God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." These scriptures in my understanding present a far more compassionate picture of the Christian God than what Sproul has presented. But differences of opinion aside, Sproul has done a fine job of presenting a traditional Calvinist position on the doctrines of election and reprobation.
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Summary: This book changed my mind
Review: When I first was trying to come to terms with the Calvinist/Arminian debate, I asked for guidance from a pastor friend of mine. His advice: "R.C. Sproul, Chosen By God." I started reading this book as 4-point Arminian (I believed in eternal security - a whiskey Calvinist as another has said - I believed only a fifth of it). By the time I was finished, I was convinced. That takes some doing, if you ask anyone who knows me. I am opinionated and not given to changing my mind! Dr. Sproul's arguments are well-reasoned, grounded in history, and most importantly, Biblical. I used to be so uncomfortable reading Romans 9 or Ephesians 1 - they didn't conform to the God I had made in my image! Those are some of my very favorite passages in the New Testament now. Say what you want about Calvinism, but Dr. Sproul's treatment is fair, honest and engaging. He is also not mean-spirited, as some have implied. He knows full well that God has, by His own choosing, saved many an Arminian as well. This book is very special to me. I was predestined to read it! (sorry - couldn't help myself there) Soli Deo Gloria!
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Summary: Let's Reason Together
Review: Though I have the utmost respect for Dr. Sproul, the scriptures simply and clearly stand in opposition to the full 5-Point Calvanistic view. Let's take 3 of the 5 points of Calvinism for the sake of brevity. 1. The doctrine of Unconditional Election portrays God as unrighteous. The greatest virtue instituted in this universe by God is love, and this virtue encompasses freedom. This doctrine disengages man's responsibility and freedom of choice and portrays God as someone who creates solely for the purposes of damnation by excluding most of His creation from His love. He only elects and calls the "chosen few". If God had chosen those whom He was pleased to bring to the knowledge of Himself then He would also be pleased to bring others to an ignorance of Himself and ultimately to eternal torment. However, this is totally inconsistent with His loving and redemptive nature as portrayed in His word. Rather than portraying God as dreadful, unrighteous and uninviting, the bible demonstrates that God desires all men to be saved. Therefore, though it is up to the individual to choose his fate, it is God's desire that every sinner repents and freely accepts Him. Rather than a specific call and selection of the "chosen few", His plan of salvation is an "all-inclusive" call to the world. God's call to the world
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved". John 1:29: "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world". 2. To claim that Christ only atoned for the sins of the "elect" (Limited Atonement) stands in direct conflict with His loving nature as stated previously. For example, John 3:17 states that, "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved". Let's look at the definition of the word propitiation to understand the meaning of atonement and whether it is limited in its scope or is rather God's call to His entire creation:
Definition of Propitiation
·To overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease.
·To regain or try to regain (friendship or goodwill) by pleasant behavior.
·To make or attempt to make compatible; reconcile. 1 John 2:2 "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world". 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance". John 1:29: John the Baptist declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world". Therefore, his atonement is not limited to a select few, but rather, available to the whole world as a free gift. Lastly, from a positional standpoint, Christ's sacrifice atoned for the sins of the world, but from a practical standpoint, only those who accept Christ willingly and freely are reconciled to God. For example, from a positional standpoint, all those who have a headache can take an Advil to feel better. From a practical standpoint, only those who willingly take an Advil will feel better. 3. If God's grace was irresistible, then who could resist it? If this doctrine were true, then the reverse would also be true. That is, damnation for the non-elect would also be a display of God's irresistible force. God is not a cosmic rapist! Neither is He partial. The doctrine of Irresistible Grace portrays God as a puppeteer and his puppets move and act based solely upon the puppeteer's own will. When God calls a seeking sinner to repentance, it is the willingness of the sinner to acknowledge his sins and repent. No one forced or strongly pursuaded me to be saved, including God. It was my decision and that's what makes His righteous plan of salvation for all so perfect. Why did Israel reject Christ if God's grace was so irresistible? While Jesus was standing at the Mount of Olives, He said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kills the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathered her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"(Mathew 23:37) Did Israel reject God's grace? The answer is YES. Therefore, His grace is resistible, as is prevalent in the above passage of scripture, where Christ poured out His grace and love upon a nation who were not willing to be gathered to Him. As a result, God gave them up because He always honors the will.
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Summary: sproul is great at explaining reformed theology
Review: I am a seminary student in Atlanta, Ga. and have recently focused my studies on Reformed Theology. I have books authored by Sproul, Horton, Piper, Lewis, & MacAuthor. Sproul is among the best at articulating the Reformed position, however, R.W. Skepple does an even better job in his classic 'Doctrines of Grace'. Both works are indispensible!
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Summary: Excellent overview of election and predestination.
Review: In "Chosen by God," R.C. Sproul does a fabulous job of explaining and defending the Christian doctrines of election and predestination from a Calvinist viewpoint. This book has proved to be an invaluable resource -- and a source of validation -- for people who, like me, are constantly bombarded by Arminian theology. Dr. Sproul takes the classic acronym TULIP and expounds on each of its five major elements, actually suggesting alternate letters to comprise the acronym -- I think he ended up with something like RSLEP, which doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. Much of the book focuses on the critical need to understand the concept of human depravity and fallenness -- the "T" in TULIP. Once that doctrine is adequately communicated, the remaining four points follow almost of logical necessity. I personally love his nutshell summary of these great truths: "Some receive justice; others receive mercy. No one receives injustice." Dr. Sproul is very thorough in defending the Calvinist model against all of the main criticisms and arguments leveled by teachers of the Arminian position. No stone is left unturned as he debunks each of these unbiblical myths. And he does it all in an extremely readable manner. The book is written for the layperson, and is very successful in speaking to its target audience without sounding like a dry dissertation. When I finished this book, I was left with a new appreciation for just how marvelous God's grace is to us as sinful human beings. I was at the same time truly grateful and humbled that God would choose me of all people to enjoy his mercy, salvation and eternal blessings. In other words, Dr. Sproul provides a gift of perspective by articulating these wonderful doctrines clearly and in a way that hits the reader right where he lives. This book is a "must read" for every Christian. Having a fuller understanding of these truths can only strengthen your walk with God.
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Summary: Good basic introduction to the Doctrines of Grace
Review: This book communicates very effectively and is not difficult to read. It is very convincing with regard to the arguments for a proper doctrine of predestination. My only complaint is that there are some tough questions which it does not address as effectively as John Piper's "The Pleasures of God". I recommend both books, but Chosen by God may be better for beginners in this field of study.
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Summary: The best introduction on this subject I have read
Review: In this book, Sproul does an excellent job of discussing the difficult subject of election is an easy to understand manner. Sproul presents the Calvinist viewpoint, but is respectful towards the Arminian viewpoint. What many will appreciate is that Sproul first discusses his own struggle with this subject. As with most people, when first confronted with the idea of election, he rebelled against it. But in Sproul's case, John Gerstner, and a thorough study of the Scriptures, brought him to accept the Biblical doctrine of predestination. Sproul overviews the main Biblical and logical arguments for predestination and the five points of Calvinism in general. He also provides an exegesis of some verses commonly cited against the five points. And he cites many Scripture references supporting the Calvinist viewpoint. Many more such supporting verses and refutations of proposed contrary verses are contained in the three chapters on this subject in my book "Scripture Workbook: For Personal Bible Study and Teaching the Bible." If you've never studied this subject, you really need to. Although difficult, it is an important subject to consider. And Sproul's book the best introduction to this subject I have seen. And for further help in Biblical studies on this subject, see the chapters on this subject in my "Scripture Workbook."
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