Product Description

Here is a clear scriptural case for the classic (and sometimes controversial) Christian doctrine of predestination. Through this view of a truly sovereign God, readers will see how sinfulness prevents man from choosing God on his own; instead, God must change people's hearts.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30212 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 213 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780842313353
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author
Dr. R. C. Sproul is chairman and president of Ligonier Ministries, an organization that provides biblical and theological training for laypeople. He is the Minister of Preaching and Teaching at Saint Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida and has served as a professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, Knox Seminary, Westminster Seminary California, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The author of many books on the Bible and Christian doctrine, including the award-winning The Holiness of God, he also hosts the international radio program "Renewing Your Mind," heard in over 120 countries.

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction to a difficult issue
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.

well-reasoned arguments for Calvinism
Before I read Chosen by God, I didn't know much about Calvinism or the Calvinist view of predestination. I had read one other book by a strict Calvinist that I thought was mean-spirited in its criticism of anyone who didn't accept the author's point of view. I had also heard brief discussions of the doctrine in various Bible studies I attended. After reading Sproul's book however, I have a much better understanding of Calvinism in general and predestination in particular. Sproul is quite convinced of his position but doesn't belittle those with whom he disagrees. He knows the arguments of both sides and clearly explains why he thinks his views are the best explanations of the subject based on Scripture. He addresses many of the common issues associated with predestination including the nature of man's free will, the nature of the atonement and God's infinite sense of mercy and justice. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to tackle this controversial issue.

Well-Argued, But Lacks Interaction With Scripture
Dr. Sproul is a superb theologian, but I was disappointed at the lack of exegetical work done in this volume. He goes to great lengths to set forth logical and reason-based arguments for the doctrine of predestination, but often neglects the passages which speak clearly to the very points he is debating. (For instance, Romans 9 isn't even touched on until more than halfway through the book). Certainly his doctrine is founded in the teachings of scripture, but I longed for more direct application of the texts which teach predestination and more in-depth interaction with those which seem to be problematic for the Reformed view.

I would recommend this book, therefore, only to those who are unacquainted with or uncertain of the doctrine of election. Those who are convinced of the doctrine or who, like myself, willingly admit that it is taught in scripture but find the contrived interpretations of Shank and Geisler to be of little use, should consider this book only as a supplement to another more scripturally-centered book such as Luther's Bondage of the Will.

Again, it is not that I feel this is a bad book. It is, in fact, an excellent book, but it is not what I was looking for. I needed a straight-forward exposition of the passages which speak of predestination--most notably Romans 9 and Ephesians 1. I had hoped that Dr. Sproul would use these passages to set forth the Reformed doctrine of predestination. He makes many good and logically accurate points, but I find that I cannot accept human logic apart from scripture. Interestingly, what I felt was Sproul's best point seems to conflict with the style of much of the rest of the book. It is found on page 12 in the middle of the autobiographical introduction.

"YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BELIEVE, TO PREACH, AND TO TEACH WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS IS TRUE, NOT WHAT YOU WANT THE BIBLE TO SAY IS TRUE." Amen, Dr. Sproul.