Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding - A Must Read
Review: If you've been struggling to understand the doctrine of election like I had been, then this book is for you. R. C. Sproul leaves no stone unturned in this masterful account of the "Reformed View" of predestination and election. This book covers the sovereignty of God, free will, the fall of man, rebirth and faith, foreknowledge, reprobation, and the assurance of salvation. A thorough understanding of each of these concepts is vital to a full understanding of the Reformed View. His arguments include a fair treatment and refutation of several alternative views, and an adequate supply of Scripture references is provided. The whole book is written so well that it practically compels belief. You NEED to read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: As a Roman Catholic, a number of Calvinist acquaintances recommended this book as irrefutable to bring me over. I read the reviews here, and expected to see some powerful arguments. What a disappointment! He starts with some philosophical fancy footwork before finally delving into the bible. Then he starts with John, "No one can come to me unless the Father draw him", as proof text #1. But this is part one of the great trilogy in John: part 2, "I and the Father are one", part 3: "And I, when I am lifted up, will draw all men to myself". If part one is universal, necessarily so is part three. The passages teach the universal salvific will, not double predestination. Then he turns to John 3, the born again discourse. Even though the context fairly screams baptism, he ignores this (like most Protestants) and argues that being born again must precede faith. Obviously, if "born again" refers to baptismal regeneration (as the context suggests), that is ludicrous. Sproul seems to ignore the biblical teaching that faith is not a yes or no matter, but one of degrees, and dynamic to boot - it grows or dies over time. The proof texts go from bad to worse, culminating in the "killer text", Romans 9. Unfortunately, as the context makes clear, Paul isn't even talking about salvation in the passage. He's talking about our position in this world, not the next. Israel was chosen - but surely even Sproul will agree that not every Israelite was saved? To update the rhetorical question Paul is asking, why was I born in the US to a Christian family, while someone else was born in India to a Hindu family? Paul answers, because so God decided. But does that mean that I will certainly be saved, or that the Indian will be certainly lost? Obvously, no. Sproul's key passage is irrelevant to his argument. Surely, there must be better arguments for Calvinism than this book. I highly recommend for a Catholic view of the question Fr. William Most's book "Grace, Predestination, and the Salvific Will of God." I especially recommend it to those who found this weak book so convincing.
Rating:
Summary: I'm Convinced!
Review: Before reading this book, I was a convinced Arminian and did not know it. My pastors taught me that anyone could come to Jesus if they only believed, and I still believed this. The fact that many who hear the gospel and do not come to Jesus never bothered me because I was not taught what the sovereignty of God really means. A friend challenged me one day, and I bought this book while looking for Luther's Bondage of the Will. Sproul's logic is amazing. He clearly explains the hard concepts of God's sovereignty, and man's free will. I found no way to get around the biblical teaching that God has elected those to be saved in eternity. Thanks to Dr. Sproul for making me a Reformed Christian.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent work
Review: This should be required reading for all who proclaim to be Christians. Dr. Sproul unravels the TRUE gospel. The bible repeats the doctrine of election over and over again. Why pastors and teachers will not teach this doctrine is beyond me! This great doctrine was standard teaching in most seminaries years ago. This book teaches what the scripture says on this controversial subject, not man's opinion. This is meat, not milk. Bravo to R.C. Sproul and his work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: Several comments are in order in defense of the book. One of the readers claim that the book erred in saying that Norman Geisler was arminian, when in fact he was moderate calvinist. The book Chosen but Free, by Geisler, proves beyond a reasonable doubt that his "moderate calvnism" with its "irresisitible grace" only for those already willing, "unconditional election" for those who will come on their own freewill, and total depravity that does not bind one to sin, is nothing more than actually glorified semi-pelagian. At least arminians admit God's grace is needed for one to come, and that faith is a gift, something Geisler denies, thus showing that he is as opposed to true calvinism as one can be but one point: preservation of the saints. To another customer who says that Sproul presented calvinism as denial of human responsibility apparently he misread or read what he wanted to into the book in order to attack it. In fact, a whole chapter of the book deals with sovereignty of God and human free will, which in that case is spoken of as human responsibility in the whole issue. Sproul also spoke of us doing our job to witness to those who are unsaved knowing that God will do His. Sounds like human responsibility to me. It should be pointed out that the customer misrepresented calvinism, as presented by Sproul, on original sin. It is true, that calvinism holds to Adam's sin being imputed to man as such that all fell in Adam, and born sinners. Actually that is what Romans 5 says. So, the customer's problem is wit the Bible. However, the customer says that man when he is judged is punished for Adam's sin not his own. That is inaccurate. God punishes man as an individual sinner who by nature sins, and calvinism does hold to man being judged for his own sins at the last day rather than for Adam's sin. All have sinned as the Bible says. It is Adam's sin that made all sinners. I should remind that reader that Sproul on his point about double predestination says God predestinating someone to hell is in light of the fall as justice for the person who is the one, not Adam, in constant rebellion against God. See the section when the author Sproul spoke on Pharaoh when his heart was hardened to show that God does NOT work fresh evil in the person's heart. I also find the appeal to John 12:32 to say John 6:44 cannot mean irresisitible grace a weak assertion. If one has read the whole verse, it says, "no one can come to Me UNLESS the Father who sent Me DRAWS him, AND I WILL raise him at the last day." If one ignores the last half of the verse which contains Christ's promise of glorification for the believer (see verse 39, which shows being raised at last day is for believer only here in context), then one would miss the part that shows that not only the person could not come unless the Father draws, but when the Father do draw, the person will (not maybe) being raised at the last day. It shows not only will the person come to Christ, but also he will remain in Christ to be raised at the last day. Also, John 6:45 says that they ALL will be taught by God, referring to who the Father draws. Jesus goes to say who are taught by the Father WILL come to Christ. In referring to John 12:32 to say all are drawn and some refuse, I cite John 6:64-65 which states the REASON some refuse when the gospel is preached is NONE can come to Christ unless the Father has enabled him, and John 12:39-40 and Romans 11:8, both of which say some could NOT believe BECAUSE God has BLINDED them. And anyways John 12:32 says all men, NOT all. If one uses all men to mean all then Romans 9:18 and 11:32 would contradict. The context is of Jesus being promompted to speak by gentiles who requested to see Him. Jesus was showing that He would no longer be savior for just the Jews only but now also for the gentiles(John 12:20-32; 4:22,42). Note how Paul later defined all men, as when he said he is all things to all men, Jews, gentiles, and so on, in showing all men refers to all types of people, or as in everyone without distinction NOT exception. So, given Sproul's book with a strong case, Geisler's contrived Chosen but Free, and other weak arguments and strawman against calvinism, I remain a firm calvinist in my views.
Rating: 
Summary: A good treatment of Calvinisitic predestination
Review: Sproul does a good job of explaining the Calvinistic view of predestination. I don't agree with it. But I still appreciate the work he has done to explain it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: Sproul has done a masterful job at explaining the Reformed side of the issue. Read it! There are some, below, who are unconvinced and have written reviews recommending books by Robert Shank. For a more exaustive analysis of this issue see Calvinism and Evangelical Arminianism by John L. Girardeau, The Cause of God and Truth by John Gill, The Sovereignty of God by Arthur Pink, The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther, The Grace and God and the Bondage of the Will edited by Bruce Ware, and The Death of Death by John Owen. If you read these books, I think you will find Shank's arguments quite weak.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent exposition of the Reformed Orthodoxy!
Review: R.C. Sproul has the guts to touch a subject highly untouch by the Church. He expands St. Augustine's doctrine of Predestination and clarifies modern missconceptions about salvation. This book is a must for the sincere believer regardless of theological backgrounds.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best works on the subject of election
Review: R.C. Sproul has amazing ability to explain difficult theological subjects to the lay people. People are by nature Arminian, it takes time and efforts to understand a Biblical doctrine of election. "Chosen by God" is a great help in dispelling Arminian fog and returning all the glory to whom it belongs, namely to God.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome! Must read for anyone who questions predestination.
Review: What an amazing book!! This book totally proves predestination point by point. I was a Calvinist prior reading this book and am more solid now. Sproul refutes the idea of man choosing God through a logical, step by step process. I am thankful that God has such grace for people like me. Glory to God.
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