Chosen by God

Rating:
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 Arminians. 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.

Rating:
Summary: Free from the Bondage of Arminianism
Review: Praise the Lord I have been set free from the bondage and sinfulness of thinking that I had a 0.01% in my salvation. Yes I chose Christ, but only after God changed my heart. This is what Dr. Sprouls argues for. "Salvation is of the Lord", not of the Lord and me. I read this book and had serious questions at one time. I continued to study and ask questions concerning this subect. This book is a good introduction to the Cavinistic veiw of predestination. One thing I find is that everyone comes to the table with thier own set of presuppositions. We need to let Scripture determine our presuppositions not let our presuppositions determine Scripture. Sproul does a great job with explaining in a small space of where this doctrine comes from. I like him did not like this doctrine and fought it tooth and nail, but after seeing it in Scripture (all throughout, Old and New Testaments)I embraced it but did not like it, and now I taste the sweetness of it. Thank you Dr. Sproul for a wonderful book. One last thing if you still have questions about this doctrine continue to study other materials from other authors as well. Above all Scripture is our plumbline for truth, it alone carries what we should believe. Soli Deo Gloria-Alone to God the Glory, Only the Calvinist can truly say that!

Rating:
Summary: Recommendations
Review: For several superb works on Calvinism, I recommend the following. Search for them on the web (many free materials are available from these authors).

Gordon Clark (Trinity Foundation):
- Biblical Predestination
- God and Evil

Vincent Cheung (Reformation Ministries International):
- Systematic Theology
- Ultimate Questions
- Presuppositional Confrontations

Rating:
Summary: Well argued but unconvincing
Review: As an Arminian, I'm going to be a polite dissenter amid these many adoring reviews. "Chosen by God" is well written and argued but it has multiple flaws to the point that it is ultimately unconvincing.

There is a hint in the beginning of more problems to come. Sproul gives a list of contemporary theologians, in categories marked "Reformed" and "Opposing." He is in error with one and possibly two people he names. He lists Francis Schaeffer on the Reformed side. I have seen nothing in any of Schaeffer's writings to support this. Overall, his tone in his books is extremely Arminian. For example,one book is titled "Everybody Can Know." The title, he explains, means everybody can know God--hardly something a Calvinist would say. Sproul lists Norman Geisler in the "opposing" list. Does "opposing" mean Arminian? The term is ambiguous. But Geisler makes clear in his recent book on election that he is a four-point Calvinist.

In Chapter 3, Sproul really blows it with his examination of the Greek word "helko" in John 6:44. The word there is translated "draws" but Sproul cites "Kittle's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament" as saying the word actually means "compel" and implies that a person has to be compelled into God's kingdom. But he took that out of context from Kittel. "Compel" or "drag" is a common translation for "helko" but John 6:44 (and 12:32) is an exception.

Kittel says for that verse, "There is no thought here of force or magic. The term figuratively expresses the supernatural power of the love of God which goes out to all (12:32) but without which no one can come."

Another source, the Renaissance New Testament lexicon says, "It does not necessarily involve coersion though it does involve persuasion and motivation."

Later, Sproul emphasizes the unbiblical position of regeneration precedes faith. He says, "We do not believe in order to be born again. We are born again in order that we may believe." I wonder what he does with Acts 16:31--"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. or Luke 7:50 or Romans 10: 9-13. Scripture is clear that if you repent and believe in faith,then you are saved (which includes regeneration).

I would also strongly disagree with Sproul's discussion of Romans 9. He cites verse 13 and implies this is about election to salvation, but it is not. This verse is about Jacob and Esau representing nations, i.e. the Israelites and the Edomites, and the election is to special service to continue the Old Covenant lineage ultimately resulting in the Messiah. It certainly doesn't mean the Edomites could not be saved. (Sproul acknowledges the "nations" arguement but his answer is unconvincing.)

Sproul also cites Romans 9:16 and says, "This one verse is absolutely fatal to Arminianism." Not at all! First, there is some ambiguity about what "it" represents in the verse. If we assume it means salvation, then this verse is about the ultimate originating source of salvation.Where does salvation ultimately come from? God, of course. We don't will our salvation, but this does not mean the will plays no role at all.

Near the end of the book, Sproul quotes John 17:9--"I do not pray for the world, but for those you have given me." He then says, "Did Christ die for those whom he would not pray?" My answer: Yes. In general, Christ was not praying for the world in John 17, but even then he made a parenthetical prayer--see verse 21. And remember John 6:51--"This bread is my flesh that I will give for the life of the world." (Only Calvinists come up with the bizarre exegesis that "world" in these verse means the elect within the world.)

Sproul also says the atonement from the Arminian point of view (and the four-point Calvinist point of view, I might add) is just a "potential" atonement. But he is wrong. The atonement is real in terms of its completion and its availability. Christ's work is finished FOR man but not automatically IN man. People have to individually appropriate it through repenting and believing in faith. Sproul's version of the atonement makes faith and believing largely meaningless, in my opinion.

In closing, if anyone is open to reading books from the opposing point of view, I recommend "Elect in the Son" by Robert Shank and "God's Strategy in Human History" by Paul Marston and Roger Forster.

Rating:
Summary: Desperation of the Sinner
Review: I was wondering if I actually needed to read this book, as I have already read other R C books and was familiar with the arguments. Needless to say, this book refreshed a few things I forgot. It is more philosophical than biblical, although the Scripture is there. Although short in size, it is not necessarily an easy read. Sproul does something in this book that I have not seen him do elsewhere: he uses diagrams. A few are:

Justice/Non-justice Mercy

and then there is the not able not to sin diagram

Sproul's definition of the will's freedom is crucial in this book. In doing so he borrows from Jonathan Edwards: "Edwards defined the will as 'the mind choosing'...before we ever make moral choices we must have some idea of what we are choosing...my inclination and my motives are shaped by my mind....I act according to those inclinations...
Ergo:
The will always chooses according to its strongest inclination at the moment" (54)." So in reality, we are slaves to our own free-will.

In the next chapter he goes on to illustrate how any denial of original sin necessarily entails vicious question begging, especially if pressed on how society becomes bad.

As to the reviewer from Glendale, CA, he started out writing a fair review but then got off track. As to whether Schaeffer was an Arminian, bear in mind that he was a Presbyterian and did graduate from a Presbyterian seminary. Furthermore, According to theologians Scott Burston and Gerry Walls, Schaeffer was a soft-determinist in the tradition of Van Til, unlike most Arminians. Other misconceptions of Schaeffer self-destruct upon scrutiny. And yes, Geisler is a four-point Arminian, believing only in eternal security. Furthermore, Sproul gives a correct interpretation of helko. The reviewer claims that the normal meaning of the word doesn't count in John 6:44, in doing so he interposes a different context onto the one in 6:44. Finally, concerning Romans 9, and I can only mention one part. I know that this debate will never be solved, but if the whole chapter is on service rather than salvation, then why at the beginning does Paul wish himself accursed and cut off from Christ? That is understandable if one's people were damned, but it seems like emotional over-kill if they are not chosen for ministry.

But what practical value does the denial of free will have for evangelism? Sproul, Boice, and Van Til maintain that if the sinner believes that he can choose God today, then he can put it off and choose God tomorrow, ad infinitum. If he realizes that he cannot choose God, but is a slave to sin, then he has to come to grips with how DESPERATE his situation is! He is driven to his knees in awful desperation. Then, and only then,can he realize that he cannot save himself. Which is what the gospel is about.

Rating:
Summary: Glory To Christ Alone
Review: At first, I wanted nothing to do with this subject. In fact, I thought it was quite silly to debate it. Although, I don't engage often in discussions regarding God's election, I wanted to know what Scripture said...regardless of my own opinion and what I think "sounds fair".

It's convincing...backed up scripturally...not far you can run if you really want to think through these issues.

I'm in the process of rereading this work. Sproul is brilliant and clear in His explanation of scripture.

Rating:
Summary: A Book That Can Answer Many of Your Questions
Review: R.C. Sproul has written a book that will help you better understand the age-old debate between Calvinism and Arminianism. Despite which side of the debate you believe, you owe it to yourself to read this book. Perhaps you will see your opponent in a different light or perhaps you will learn things that will give you a stronger faith. Chapter 8 is especially recommended if you have ever struggled over the question, "Is it possible to know for sure that you are saved?" I highly recommend that you read it!

Rating:
Summary: Well written, good logic
Review: This was my first experience reading Sproul and I was very impressed my his style of writing. It is such that the question forming in your mind is often addressed by his following statements. I didn't agree with many of his ideas, but I could understand his logic.

Rating:
Summary: Hurrah! A great book by a great author on a great doctrine
Review: A great book by a great author on one of the great doctrines of the Bible - and also, alas, one of the most misunderstood. But I would be amazed if anyone could keep to an unbiblical position after reading Sproul on this vital subject. Christopher Catherwood, grandson of Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and author of CHRISTIANS MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)

Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to Reformed Theology
Review: For the budding theologian, Chosen By God is the best introduction to Reformed Theology that a person can purchase. If you are already knowledgable in this field of theology you probably won't want it because the arguments don't go into much depth philosophically or exegetically. The tone of the book is irenic and the polemics that normally temper the Reformed apologetic are thankfully absent.

That said I feel that the beginning theologian should be warned about a few things:

1) Like most Reformed books on predestination, Dr. Sproul heavily promotes Romans 9:1-23 but cuts off St. Paul before he can develop his point completely in chapters 10 and 11. The three chapters form an entire discourse on the status of the Jews and the righteousness of God and shouldn't be understood in a disjointed fashion. The reason the Calvinist has to avoid Romans 11 is simple: if the Jews can be cut off and the Genitles ingrafted in and vice versa, the notion of absolute predestination (especially Perseverence of the Saints) can't stand and makes St. Paul contradict himself.

2) The subtle implication that Catholics are Semi-Pelagian is infuriating to anyone remotely familiar with the historical issue. While reading I kept thinking: "Hey, we condemned Semi-Pelagianism and Pelagianism before Sola Fide was ever invented."

3) On his section on the assurance of salvation. He comes close to addressing one of the greatest problems with Eternal Security: "the people who are not saved, but "know" that they are saved." In other words, how can people who exhibit every aspect of Christian living fall away? The thorn in the side of the Reformed apologetic is that if Perseverence of the saints is true, then no Christian can really know if he or she is saved or not. This is because the superficial (or some people say "professing, but not possessing Christian") has every earmark of real Christianity, for instance, these people were:

They are said to have believed (Luke 8:13); been a branch attached to the vine (John 15:2); received the gospel and stood firm in it (1 Cor. 15:1); been reconciled through Christ's body (Col. 1:22); been enlightened; tasted of the heavenly gift; been made partakers of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 6:5); been sanctified by the blood of the covenant (Heb. 10:29); been bought by Jesus (2 Pet. 2:1); and escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 2:20). Yet these people did not persevere.

Calvinists say that the people described in these verses were therefore obviously never true Christians. The problem becomes acute when the Christian compares himself to these people mentioned in Scripture. If the superficial ones can be all of the things listed above and still fall away, what assurance do they have? Unfortunately, Dr. Sproul skirts around the issue by making a distinction between true and false assurance.

But I digress, since this is just an introduction, I didn't expect Dr. Sproul to address these issues . However, if you are looking for a great introduction to Reformed theology, you can't do any better than this one