Rating: 
Summary: Who decides YOUR eternal destiny? You or God?
Review: Before reading this book I was an Arminian's Arminian. I believed man chose whether or not to "accept Christ" or not. I believed it was man's responsiblity to "respond to the Gospel." I was wrong. Man is *dead* in sins and trespasses, and is *unable* to come to Christ without the drawing of the Father. When I realized that fallen man is literally *unable* to come to Christ in and of itself, I immediately saw the GRACE of GOD. He would have been perfectly just to simply allow us ALL to perish. But instead He decided to choose a subset of humanity upon whom to have mercy! These "chosen ones" or "elect" have been "predestined" unto salvation!
I was wrong about Calvinism. This book opened my eyes to my total inability and depravity--but also to God's wondrous GRACE! The Lord God Almighty is a Sovereign GOD who reigns over his creation; man will not and cannot thwart his perfect eternal plans.
If you've ever wondered about Biblical predestination then I strongly encourage your reading this book. The LORD has gifted Sproul with the ability to make complex topics easy to apprehend.
One thing I really like about Sproul's style is that he accurately represents the opposing view's position. I *used* to be an Arminian, and I always hated it when Calvinists misrepresented my views. We all hate it when people misrepresent our position then knock it down (i.e., the "strawman"). I really respected Sproul for accurately stating the Arminian view. It enabled me to see into his cogent arguments for 5-point Calvinism.
To conclude: I HIGHLY recommend this book. Afterwards, I believe you'll have a refreshing and awesome look at the GRACE of GOD! This book was a principle instrument in my becoming a Calvinist. If you're an Arminian then prepare for a challenging polemic for Calvinism. If you're a Calvinist, prepare for a God-exalting treatise concerning His sovereign election of His people.
Rating:
Summary: You should choose CHOSEN BY GOD
Review: I've read many of Sproul's books, and have recommended many to countless friends. This book, by far, has had the most impact on my life and my friends. It is an excellent, readable book on the very touchy subject of predestination. In Chosen By God, Sproul gives a thorough and convincing argument that the historical Reformed view of predestination is what the Bible teaches and that it is the only way of salvation. Sproul makes this deep theological issue understandable and accessible to everyone. One cannot read this book without being changed. If you only read one theology book this year -- this is it
Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction to a difficult issue
Review: Agree or disagree with the thesis of the book, but you will get a clear, straight forward presentation of the doctrine of election. Dr. Sproul is a churchman. By this I mean Sproul has a healthy respect for all Christians and it shows in this book. While he presents the Calvinist view of election, he does so without making light of those who disagree. If you are interested in knowing what the issuses are, the Biblical bases for election and have your questions answered, you will benefit from this book. This is true even if you don't agree with the conclusions. For a deeper presentation on the subject by the same author see "Willing to Believe" and/or "Grace Unknown." Dealing with subjects such as election, it is necessary that we have more light than heat. Dr. Sproul's unique gift to the church is helping take difficult issues and making them understandable by all. Again, agree or disagree with the author, but if you read this you will be armed with an understanding of the issue that will help you draw informed conclusions.
Rating:
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!
Rating:
Summary: An exellent teaching book
Review: This book really will help you understand predestination and reformed theology. The book has some deep parts, but Dr. Sproul quickly explains and summarizes his points. If you really want to understand the Reformed predestination doctrine free of misrepresentation from the opposing views, (and believe me, I've heard some weird things that people attribute to Calvinism that simply are not true) please get this book.
Rating:
Summary: Solid Introduction
Review: Since its publication in 1986, <em>Chosen By God</em> has become a classic introduction to Calvinism, for it is clearly one of the best introductions to Calvinism available. Sproul, ever the theologian but one with a gift for making the complex simple, begins with an introduction to God's sovereignty and then moves to free will before tackling the 5-points of Calvinism (as summarized in the acronym TULIP). He changes several of the terms, so the acronym eventually reads RULEP, but provides good justification for doing so. Not being one to back down from a fight, Sproul also tackles the subject of double predestination and assurance of salvation. The book closes with a Questions and Objections section which answers some of the most common objections to Calvinism, such as "Is predestination fatalism?" and "What does predestination do for the task of evangelism?"
It is important to note that this book is only an introduction to Calvinism, so does not provide exhaustive commentary on any single topic, each of which could easily become a book of its own. While 200 pages is plenty to introduce topics, it certainly does not allow for in-depth discussion.
The chapters on God's Sovereignty and Free Will were particularly well-written and alone are worth the price of the book. A book that discusses difficult concepts but does so in a biblical manner, and ultimately provides very satisfying conclusions, I give this one my unreserved recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Great Introduction to a difficult issue
Review: Agree or disagree with the thesis of the book, but you will get a clear, straight forward presentation of the doctrine of election. Dr. Sproul is a churchman. By this I mean Sproul has a healthy respect for all Christians and it shows in this book. While he presents the Calvinist view of election, he does so without making light of those who disagree. If you are interested in knowing what the issuses are, the Biblical bases for election and have your questions answered, you will benefit from this book. This is true even if you don't agree with the conclusions. For a deeper presentation on the subject by the same author see "Willing to Believe" and/or "Grace Unknown." Dealing with subjects such as election, it is necessary that we have more light than heat. Dr. Sproul's unique gift to the church is helping take difficult issues and making them understandable by all. Again, agree or disagree with the author, but if you read this you will be armed with an understanding of the issue that will help you draw informed conclusions.
Rating: 
Summary: A step in the right direction.
Review: I've read this book, and given away copies of it to Arminian friends, and I've reread this book. It is very helpful in terms of learning about the basics of Calvinism. Dr. Sproul has done much in his lifetime towards the promulgation of Reformed theology in today's church.
His focus historically, is on the major players in Reformed thought - such as Calvin, Luther, Augustine and Edwards. I do have a problem with his listing Aquinas as a Calvinist on page 14, because that is simply not true. There may have been some similarities in Aquinas' views on predestination, but that would be credited to his use of language, not on the definitions of terms that Aquinas provided. Aquinas was a Roman Catholic and therefore betrays any notion or possibility of holding to Reformed views. It seems that Sproul has an affinity for Aquinas which is too bad. His contemporary list is accurate, including Francis Schaeffer who was undoubtedly a Calvinist as opposed to what one reviewer claims. Granted, some of Schaeffer's apologetic methodology didn't line up with his soteriology, he nonetheless was a Calvinist! He said so himself! And Sproul would know, the two were friends.
The book's strong points are its focus on God's sovereignty in salvation. He provides easy to understand examples from life and the Bible to show God's sovereignty. The section in chapter two called The Sovereignty of God should be read and reread until one comes to a full understanding of what is being said.
Sproul's explanation of mercy and justice is extremely helpful and is likely the point in the book where I just couldn't stop smiling being so impacted by the truth of it all. This provided an excellent seguay into the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Here Sproul follows Packer's argument for antinomy which is surprising considering Sproul's love for Jonathan Edwards. It would have made more sense for him to refer to Edwards' view on the two wills of God as John Piper has done (see www.desiringGod.org). Although antinomy is a good answer to this problem, it is not the best as Piper has shown.
Thankfully Sproul refers the reader to Edwards in chapter 3 on the issue of free will. I know of no other Christian theologian who dealt with this better than Edwards in his treatise On The Freedom of the Will. I believe Sproul handles it well. Especially with his explanation of natural verses moral inability.
The different charts and diagrams are helpful in visualizing what Sproul is saying. As well as his use of illustrations.
The weak point of the book is that he doesn't refer to the Bible as much. Granted, the Bible is being used, I think that it could have been used a bit more. Sometimes Sproul falls into using philosophy a little too much. I guess that is understandable considering philosophy is one of Sproul's primary interests.
I would heartily recommend this book.
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.
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