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Crucial Questions
What Is Predestination?
The Bible clearly teaches that we contribute nothing to our salvation. It is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8), and He alone saves. Yet many Christians bristle at this idea. If God decides who will believe, they reason, doesn’t that destroy free will? Isn’t it unfair to punish people who had no choice? In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul clears up common misconceptions and distortions of the doctrine of predestination. Far from being fatalistic, this doctrine reveals the riches of God’s grace and brings comfort to our souls.
The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.
74 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
About the author
R.C. Sproul
664 books1,825 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 19, 2020
What a difficult and important subject!
What a difficult subject! As I read Sproule it makes sense. However, when I read someone such as one of the Wesleys, then that makes sense. I have a teeshirt with three lines on it. The first, "Arminianism I chose this shirt." Next, "Calvinism this shirt chose me." and finally "atheism there is no shirt.". I know that atheism is wrong but I am still confused about Arminians and Calvinists. This short book is an excellent choice for those seeking to understand the issues and Calvinism in particular.
What a difficult subject! As I read Sproule it makes sense. However, when I read someone such as one of the Wesleys, then that makes sense. I have a teeshirt with three lines on it. The first, "Arminianism I chose this shirt." Next, "Calvinism this shirt chose me." and finally "atheism there is no shirt.". I know that atheism is wrong but I am still confused about Arminians and Calvinists. This short book is an excellent choice for those seeking to understand the issues and Calvinism in particular.
September 12, 2023
This book humbled me. I thought I had predestination figured out, but I actually just had a small view of God and his sovereignty. Sproul explains two different views throughout the whole book and ends up siding with one at the end (I’ll let you find out yourself)
March 7, 2021
2021 Reading Challenge - A book about theology
December 2, 2022
Great little introduction to the doctrine of predestination. Gives some historical nuggets and also presents the “prescient” view of predestination as well. I commend this booklet!
January 9, 2023
God saves people for his glory and good purposes. We contribute nothing to our salvation but it is only by God's grace and foreknowledge that he elects us. Left to ourselves, nobody would ever choose God. We are dead in our sins. Without God first choosing us we cannot choose him.
November 8, 2022
Sproul touches on the foundations of predestination and election but more importantly emphasizes the importance of evangelism. Sproul does not choose a side that he agrees with (Armenian or Calvinism) but rather discusses both and disproves issue in either while also acknowledging both beliefs as a possibility. A great read for surface level predestination.
July 30, 2020
The content is solid and logical as always. R.C Sproul does a fantastic job in articulating his thoughts and perspectives into a coherent chain of sentences for his readers to comprehend.
I recommend this short book to anyone who is interested in philosophy or in the subject of predestination. Although you won't become a master on the subject by reading this book, it will surely help you gain better insights into the arguments and justifications regarding predestination.
I recommend this short book to anyone who is interested in philosophy or in the subject of predestination. Although you won't become a master on the subject by reading this book, it will surely help you gain better insights into the arguments and justifications regarding predestination.
November 11, 2019
In this new book in his Crucial Questions series (free in the Kindle edition), R.C. Sproul writes that no doctrine in the Christian faith engenders more debate than the doctrine of predestination. He also tells us that no other doctrine more clearly demonstrates our utter dependence on divine grace and mercy than the doctrine of predestination. He writes that much is at stake in how we understand predestination, and we must be extraordinarily sensitive and careful in how we handle this doctrine. Studying predestination forces us to ask and answer hard questions, and if nothing else, it forces us to look more closely at the character of God and at our own sinfulness.
The doctrine of predestination is not limited to only Reformed churches. Sproul writes that every church and every Christian has some doctrine of predestination because the Bible has a doctrine of predestination. He tells us that if we are to grow in maturity in Christ, we must understand the biblical teaching on predestination. And though we may not like it at first, he tells us that with careful study and attention to the witness of Scripture, we can come to see the doctrine’s sweetness and its excellence and to experience it as a great comfort to our souls.
The author tells us that there are many different doctrines of predestination. The first of the most common views—and perhaps the majority view in the Christian world today—is the prescient view. In this view, God, from all eternity, looks down the corridors of history and knows in advance who will and will not respond positively to the invitation of Christ and His gospel. From all eternity, God ordains that every person who says yes to the gospel will go to heaven.
In the Augustinian view - also called the Reformation, or Reformed, view, and the view that the author holds to - God, from all eternity, not only predestines those who will believe to be saved, but He also predestines those who will believe to believe. In this view, from the foundation of the world—before anyone was born or did anything—God decided who would be brought to faith and who would not. Those who are not predestined from the foundation of the world will not come to faith, and their destination will not be heaven.
These two views are very different. In the first view, the decisive factor regarding a person’s destiny rests with the individual. In the second view, the decisive factor rests with God. Those who take the latter view must respond to questions about God’s fairness and justice and about man’s free will. Those who take the first view must answer the question of why it is that some people say yes and others say no. The author addresses what factor it is that ultimately determines a person’s salvation. Is it the human decision and response, which God knows in advance, or is it God’s sovereign election, in which He brings people to faith in Jesus Christ?
The author tells us that the focal point of the biblical doctrine of election is the grace of God. In its simplest terms, grace can be defined as “unmerited favor”. Grace is something that God is never obligated to give—God doesn’t owe anyone grace.
The author tells us that clearly, God sovereignly elects some to salvation and does not elect others. The prescient view of election leads to the belief that Jesus died on the cross, but not for anyone in particular. He dies to make salvation a possibility for those who choose to believe. The author tells us that in this view, it is theoretically possible that Jesus could have died in vain, that no one would have ever responded positively to the gospel.
He looks at two objections to the doctrine of predestination.
1. God drags people kicking and screaming against their wills into the kingdom of God.
2. He prevents other people from coming to the kingdom who do want to be there.
In response to these objections, the author tells us that the Augustinian doctrine of election unto salvation says this: no one wants Christ. No one wants to come into the kingdom of God. No one in his natural state wants to be there. For us to be saved, God must first regenerate us. Rebirth is the prerequisite and the necessary condition for being able to come to Christ. In addition, he tells us that there is no one who wants God whom God will exclude from the kingdom.
The author also addresses the subject of reprobation, which is the opposite of election. Someone who is reprobate has not been chosen, and does not receive the benefit of saving grace.
The author also looks at the Augustinian view of double predestination. Here, God does a positive work in the lives of the elect whereby He intervenes to rescue them from spiritual death by making them alive and creating faith in their souls. On the other hand, He gives sinners over to their sinful dispositions and abandons them to their sin. He ceases to restrain them from their own evil ways. Double predestination is simply this: the elect receive mercy and the reprobate receive justice, but no one receives injustice.
The author closes the book by looking at the topic of evangelism, and two primary objections in regards to the doctrine of predestination. The first is that if predestination is true, then there is no need to evangelize. The other is the accusation that those who believe in predestination are characteristically unconcerned about evangelism and inhibit the church’s mission in that regard. After addressing each objection, he tells us that it is a privilege to be used by God to bring another person to Christ.
The book, about a difficult and at times controversial doctrine, is written in Sproul’s characteristic easy to understand. It is concise and clear.
Here are 5 of my favorite quotes from this short book:
1. Virtually all of the errors that plague the church and her doctrine relate to one of two errors: either an underestimation of the greatness of God or an overestimation of the greatness of man.
2. It is easy enough to define grace as “unmerited favor,” but to get this idea from our brains into our bloodstream is one of the most difficult tasks in the Christian life.
3. If we think that God owes us grace, we’ve stopped thinking about grace and have started thinking about justice. The worst thing that could happen to us is for us to ask God for justice.
4. The only way we can gain entrance into the kingdom is through the sovereign grace of God and by that grace alone—sola gratia.
5. The only reason we’re redeemed is not because of our value but because of the value of Christ.
The doctrine of predestination is not limited to only Reformed churches. Sproul writes that every church and every Christian has some doctrine of predestination because the Bible has a doctrine of predestination. He tells us that if we are to grow in maturity in Christ, we must understand the biblical teaching on predestination. And though we may not like it at first, he tells us that with careful study and attention to the witness of Scripture, we can come to see the doctrine’s sweetness and its excellence and to experience it as a great comfort to our souls.
The author tells us that there are many different doctrines of predestination. The first of the most common views—and perhaps the majority view in the Christian world today—is the prescient view. In this view, God, from all eternity, looks down the corridors of history and knows in advance who will and will not respond positively to the invitation of Christ and His gospel. From all eternity, God ordains that every person who says yes to the gospel will go to heaven.
In the Augustinian view - also called the Reformation, or Reformed, view, and the view that the author holds to - God, from all eternity, not only predestines those who will believe to be saved, but He also predestines those who will believe to believe. In this view, from the foundation of the world—before anyone was born or did anything—God decided who would be brought to faith and who would not. Those who are not predestined from the foundation of the world will not come to faith, and their destination will not be heaven.
These two views are very different. In the first view, the decisive factor regarding a person’s destiny rests with the individual. In the second view, the decisive factor rests with God. Those who take the latter view must respond to questions about God’s fairness and justice and about man’s free will. Those who take the first view must answer the question of why it is that some people say yes and others say no. The author addresses what factor it is that ultimately determines a person’s salvation. Is it the human decision and response, which God knows in advance, or is it God’s sovereign election, in which He brings people to faith in Jesus Christ?
The author tells us that the focal point of the biblical doctrine of election is the grace of God. In its simplest terms, grace can be defined as “unmerited favor”. Grace is something that God is never obligated to give—God doesn’t owe anyone grace.
The author tells us that clearly, God sovereignly elects some to salvation and does not elect others. The prescient view of election leads to the belief that Jesus died on the cross, but not for anyone in particular. He dies to make salvation a possibility for those who choose to believe. The author tells us that in this view, it is theoretically possible that Jesus could have died in vain, that no one would have ever responded positively to the gospel.
He looks at two objections to the doctrine of predestination.
1. God drags people kicking and screaming against their wills into the kingdom of God.
2. He prevents other people from coming to the kingdom who do want to be there.
In response to these objections, the author tells us that the Augustinian doctrine of election unto salvation says this: no one wants Christ. No one wants to come into the kingdom of God. No one in his natural state wants to be there. For us to be saved, God must first regenerate us. Rebirth is the prerequisite and the necessary condition for being able to come to Christ. In addition, he tells us that there is no one who wants God whom God will exclude from the kingdom.
The author also addresses the subject of reprobation, which is the opposite of election. Someone who is reprobate has not been chosen, and does not receive the benefit of saving grace.
The author also looks at the Augustinian view of double predestination. Here, God does a positive work in the lives of the elect whereby He intervenes to rescue them from spiritual death by making them alive and creating faith in their souls. On the other hand, He gives sinners over to their sinful dispositions and abandons them to their sin. He ceases to restrain them from their own evil ways. Double predestination is simply this: the elect receive mercy and the reprobate receive justice, but no one receives injustice.
The author closes the book by looking at the topic of evangelism, and two primary objections in regards to the doctrine of predestination. The first is that if predestination is true, then there is no need to evangelize. The other is the accusation that those who believe in predestination are characteristically unconcerned about evangelism and inhibit the church’s mission in that regard. After addressing each objection, he tells us that it is a privilege to be used by God to bring another person to Christ.
The book, about a difficult and at times controversial doctrine, is written in Sproul’s characteristic easy to understand. It is concise and clear.
Here are 5 of my favorite quotes from this short book:
1. Virtually all of the errors that plague the church and her doctrine relate to one of two errors: either an underestimation of the greatness of God or an overestimation of the greatness of man.
2. It is easy enough to define grace as “unmerited favor,” but to get this idea from our brains into our bloodstream is one of the most difficult tasks in the Christian life.
3. If we think that God owes us grace, we’ve stopped thinking about grace and have started thinking about justice. The worst thing that could happen to us is for us to ask God for justice.
4. The only way we can gain entrance into the kingdom is through the sovereign grace of God and by that grace alone—sola gratia.
5. The only reason we’re redeemed is not because of our value but because of the value of Christ.
July 14, 2024
This is an amazing booklet for a beginner who wants to know more about the Christian doctrine of predestination. The scripture references are both convincing and widespread throughout. The reason for the four stars is because he does not go anywhere deep enough into the doctrine. However, I would not recommend this book for a mature Christian who is walking steadfastly in his faith. Nonetheless, it is a great book for a beginner wanting to learn more about this profound Christian doctrine.
May 5, 2021
This book really got me to think about a lot. I know this topic is difficult for many. I think it helps to hear both sides of how people view predestination. Like the previous R.C. Sproul crucial question book I read, this is easy to read and understand. Really quick to go through and certainly one to reread in the future.
June 21, 2024
great exposition on an intricate topic
June 6, 2022
Excellent explanation of election. A couple of quotes:
"The internal call, however, has to do with the secret operation of the Holy Spirit. He calls men and women inwardly, changes the dispositions of their hearts, raises them to new spiritual life, awakens them from their dogmatic slumbers, and impels them toward faith and belief. That’s what is meant by the inward call of God."
"The moment we begin to think that God owes us, or anyone, mercy is the moment we should have a bell go off in our brains. We need a warning that we are no longer thinking about mercy, because again, mercy that is required is not mercy. If we think that God owes us grace, we’ve stopped thinking about grace and have started thinking about justice. The worst thing that could happen to us is for us to ask God for justice. The only way we can draw a breath in this world, and the only way we can hope of going to heaven, is by His sovereign grace alone."
"What God chooses, He does so according to His good pleasure. This word makes all the difference in the world. There is no such thing as the bad pleasure of God’s will. God does not take pleasure in evil. Human beings take pleasure in evil. In fact, that’s why we sin, because it’s pleasurable to us. If it weren’t pleasurable, we wouldn’t be enticed or tempted by it. But there is no evil will in God."
"One of the reasons Augustine taught that election is unconditional is that before his treatment of election, he spent a great deal of time studying the biblical view of the fall of man. He considered the question, To what degree have we been corrupted in our human nature? Augustine concluded that the fall of mankind is so great that even though we still are able to make choices, all of our choices proceed from a heart that is in bondage to sin, leaving us in a state of moral inability to choose what pleases God. The idea that Augustine taught was this: the sinner has no inclination in his heart for the things of God unless God first changes his soul. God must change the disposition of man’s heart through the supernatural work of regeneration. Scripture says that all whom the Holy Spirit regenerates come to faith, and that this regeneration effects what it was designed to effect. Further, left to himself, man will never incline himself to the things of God, and so, if the sinner is destitute of regeneration, he will never willingly embrace Christ."
"Jesus says the flesh is no help at all; it profits nothing. It does not contribute even 1 percent; it contributes 0 percent. One hundred percent of our salvation is from God. If the Bible never mentioned the words predestination or election, we would still be driven to conclude that concept simply from the abundant references we find in the Scriptures about the state of our moral condition apart from saving grace and regeneration. The biggest hurdle we have to get over—before we are ready to assign the fullness of grace to our salvation—is the hurdle of thinking that we really do have an island of righteousness left in our souls that is unaffected by the fall and unpolluted by sin. It is the false belief that we’re not really dead in sin and trespasses, but that we’re only sick in sin and trespasses, still possessing the ability to revive ourselves once we hear the gospel. If we want to overcome these hurdles, we must truly understand the absolute sinfulness of sin and the absolute graciousness of grace."
"The Augustinian doctrine of election unto salvation says this: no one wants Christ. No one wants to come into the kingdom of God. The heart is desperately wicked, and it desires only evil continuously. “No one seeks for God,” the Apostle Paul quoted is dragged kicking and screaming into the kingdom; everyone who enters the kingdom desires to be there."
"When God elects unto salvation, He elects out of a mass of humanity that together is fallen, dead in sin and trespasses. By His gracious act of intervention, He steps in to accomplish a saving work in the hearts of some that He does not accomplish for the others. He doesn’t prevent the others from coming to Christ—He doesn’t have to prevent them from coming to Christ. They prevent themselves because they don’t want to come to Christ. They are already alienated from God, dead in their sins and trespasses. God does not force them to say no to Christ and the gospel; they reject Christ out of their own inclinations, their own hearts, their own wills. They do not come to Christ because they do not want to come to Christ."
****
Definitely recommend. (The Kindle version is free on Amazon btw)
"The internal call, however, has to do with the secret operation of the Holy Spirit. He calls men and women inwardly, changes the dispositions of their hearts, raises them to new spiritual life, awakens them from their dogmatic slumbers, and impels them toward faith and belief. That’s what is meant by the inward call of God."
"The moment we begin to think that God owes us, or anyone, mercy is the moment we should have a bell go off in our brains. We need a warning that we are no longer thinking about mercy, because again, mercy that is required is not mercy. If we think that God owes us grace, we’ve stopped thinking about grace and have started thinking about justice. The worst thing that could happen to us is for us to ask God for justice. The only way we can draw a breath in this world, and the only way we can hope of going to heaven, is by His sovereign grace alone."
"What God chooses, He does so according to His good pleasure. This word makes all the difference in the world. There is no such thing as the bad pleasure of God’s will. God does not take pleasure in evil. Human beings take pleasure in evil. In fact, that’s why we sin, because it’s pleasurable to us. If it weren’t pleasurable, we wouldn’t be enticed or tempted by it. But there is no evil will in God."
"One of the reasons Augustine taught that election is unconditional is that before his treatment of election, he spent a great deal of time studying the biblical view of the fall of man. He considered the question, To what degree have we been corrupted in our human nature? Augustine concluded that the fall of mankind is so great that even though we still are able to make choices, all of our choices proceed from a heart that is in bondage to sin, leaving us in a state of moral inability to choose what pleases God. The idea that Augustine taught was this: the sinner has no inclination in his heart for the things of God unless God first changes his soul. God must change the disposition of man’s heart through the supernatural work of regeneration. Scripture says that all whom the Holy Spirit regenerates come to faith, and that this regeneration effects what it was designed to effect. Further, left to himself, man will never incline himself to the things of God, and so, if the sinner is destitute of regeneration, he will never willingly embrace Christ."
"Jesus says the flesh is no help at all; it profits nothing. It does not contribute even 1 percent; it contributes 0 percent. One hundred percent of our salvation is from God. If the Bible never mentioned the words predestination or election, we would still be driven to conclude that concept simply from the abundant references we find in the Scriptures about the state of our moral condition apart from saving grace and regeneration. The biggest hurdle we have to get over—before we are ready to assign the fullness of grace to our salvation—is the hurdle of thinking that we really do have an island of righteousness left in our souls that is unaffected by the fall and unpolluted by sin. It is the false belief that we’re not really dead in sin and trespasses, but that we’re only sick in sin and trespasses, still possessing the ability to revive ourselves once we hear the gospel. If we want to overcome these hurdles, we must truly understand the absolute sinfulness of sin and the absolute graciousness of grace."
"The Augustinian doctrine of election unto salvation says this: no one wants Christ. No one wants to come into the kingdom of God. The heart is desperately wicked, and it desires only evil continuously. “No one seeks for God,” the Apostle Paul quoted is dragged kicking and screaming into the kingdom; everyone who enters the kingdom desires to be there."
"When God elects unto salvation, He elects out of a mass of humanity that together is fallen, dead in sin and trespasses. By His gracious act of intervention, He steps in to accomplish a saving work in the hearts of some that He does not accomplish for the others. He doesn’t prevent the others from coming to Christ—He doesn’t have to prevent them from coming to Christ. They prevent themselves because they don’t want to come to Christ. They are already alienated from God, dead in their sins and trespasses. God does not force them to say no to Christ and the gospel; they reject Christ out of their own inclinations, their own hearts, their own wills. They do not come to Christ because they do not want to come to Christ."
****
Definitely recommend. (The Kindle version is free on Amazon btw)
December 19, 2020
Predestination, and the idea that God chooses certain people to be saved, and some to perish, is quite a difficult subject, and R.C. Sproul acknowledges that it might make God appear "capricious" (I think this is one of the words Stephen Fry used in his famous rant several years ago about why he wouldn't want to trust the God he doesn't believe in).
R.C. Sproul's short book gives a very comprehensive guide to the idea of being one of God's elect, and how some people might not realise that they are chosen, and I found that it provided a good incentive towards evangelism, citing it as "not just a duty, but a privelege". This book felt like a good way of answering difficult questions and challenges that non-Christians might pose.
I have been enjoying reading this series on Crucial Questions, and am buying a couple every few months, so I hope to get a chance to read them all at some point.
R.C. Sproul's short book gives a very comprehensive guide to the idea of being one of God's elect, and how some people might not realise that they are chosen, and I found that it provided a good incentive towards evangelism, citing it as "not just a duty, but a privelege". This book felt like a good way of answering difficult questions and challenges that non-Christians might pose.
I have been enjoying reading this series on Crucial Questions, and am buying a couple every few months, so I hope to get a chance to read them all at some point.
November 14, 2020
I read a book by this author while in Bible College called The Holiness of God. The book shifted me. I was so moved by the author that when I saw this series of books, I immediately got them. I found it quite interesting. I am not a theologian so some of the theories about predestination were new to me. I especially want to look at the Augustinian studies. If you are a lover of God, wanting to know more about theology and thought, this book would be a foundational tool for building your library.
March 23, 2022
Predestination is one of the most controversial topics amongst Christians. R.C. Sproul tackles this subject with clarity and understanding. He is firmly in the Augustinian camp instead of the prescient camp, but he makes some compelling arguments. If you want to understand the reformed view, this is a great book to start out with. It also offers a small view of the prescient camp, though I would recommend more study to more fully understand the opposing view. Still, this is a good starting place for this hot button issue. Recommended for all Christians.
November 3, 2020
This is an amazing booklet for a beginner who wants to know more about the Christian doctrine of predestination. The scripture references are both convincing and widespread throughout. The reason for the four stars is because he does not go anywhere deep enough into the doctrine. However, I would not recommend this book for a mature Christian who is walking steadfastly in his faith. Nonetheless, it is a great book for a beginner wanting to learn more about this profound Christian doctrine.
April 22, 2021
Are you a Christian? You need to read this
Are you a Christian? You need to read this. I like how Dr. Sproul clearly explains the biblical doctrine of predestination and answers all the questions that are normally asked when hearing of this truth for the first time. If you are unsure of what predestination is it you are looking to learn more about it, I recommend you read this.
Are you a Christian? You need to read this. I like how Dr. Sproul clearly explains the biblical doctrine of predestination and answers all the questions that are normally asked when hearing of this truth for the first time. If you are unsure of what predestination is it you are looking to learn more about it, I recommend you read this.
June 29, 2021
Sencillo, corto pero preciso.
El doctor Sproul define claramente lo que y lo que no es esta doctrina tan mal entendida por muchos hoy en día, tirando abajo algunas de las visiones incorrectas y ataques que generalmente se le haces a esta compresión bíblica de la elección soberana de Dios. Finalmente, nos muestra como esta profunda verdad nos impulsa a vivir apasionadamente para esparcir el evangelio a todas las personas.
El doctor Sproul define claramente lo que y lo que no es esta doctrina tan mal entendida por muchos hoy en día, tirando abajo algunas de las visiones incorrectas y ataques que generalmente se le haces a esta compresión bíblica de la elección soberana de Dios. Finalmente, nos muestra como esta profunda verdad nos impulsa a vivir apasionadamente para esparcir el evangelio a todas las personas.
December 28, 2021
This booklet (only 72 pages) was disappointing to me because the ideas presented were those of biblical origin. That was not what I was looking for, and I do not agree with the views presented. How can other human beings know the will of God unless God told them those specific ideas, which these theologians do not claim. If you a Christian who believes in the absolutism of the words of Paul, St. Augustine, and the Bible, then you may like this booklet.
July 30, 2020
This is a short and sweet read that I picked up for a research paper. It gave clarification to lots of small details, but I must admit I was pleased with being largely aware of everything in the book already. It's a really good summary to reference when needed and it gave some good terms and definitions to take note of.
September 5, 2024
Good book explaining the Augustinian vs. prescient positions! This is the most “academic” book I’ve read on this topic, but I didn’t find it it difficult at all. From what I remember, Sproul does a good job defining terms he uses (and if that’s me misremembering I apologize). I’d recommend this for anyone wanting to understand the Augustinian/Calvinist/reformed view on predestination.
September 17, 2024
Difficult topic for me, as I wasn't raised Reformed. My current church is affiliated with the PCA, so obviously, my church is reformed. I will continue to fellowship with my church and church family regardless of where I end up on this topic, but this book has helped bring some clarity to the issue of predestination. I will keep searching ♥️
May 3, 2020
Great...simple...easy to read..right to the point.
Very good writing on election. Reading this has helped me on my understanding election journey! Would definitely recommend this book.
Very good writing on election. Reading this has helped me on my understanding election journey! Would definitely recommend this book.
October 11, 2020
Easy to read
Enjoying RC's depth explanation on this difficult subject but he made it very easy to the reader to digest every word in this book. Highly recommended for Christians both Calvinists and Arminians.
Enjoying RC's depth explanation on this difficult subject but he made it very easy to the reader to digest every word in this book. Highly recommended for Christians both Calvinists and Arminians.
April 11, 2021
Difficulties
One of the difficult doctrines in the Bible and its indeed too short to answer in this short book. Need more comprehensive books on soteriology to answer this difficult question
One of the difficult doctrines in the Bible and its indeed too short to answer in this short book. Need more comprehensive books on soteriology to answer this difficult question
September 15, 2023
Excellent treatment of the subject
Dr Sproul does an excellent job of presenting the biblical teachings on the subject. Highly recommend this book to anyone wanting the biblical view of election.
Dr Sproul does an excellent job of presenting the biblical teachings on the subject. Highly recommend this book to anyone wanting the biblical view of election.
November 25, 2023
Super helpful in thinking through questions about predestination. Definitely thought provoking and didn’t answer every question I had but helpful in the process. Also, really short and easily grasp-able which I appreciated
August 30, 2024
First, I read most of it while drinking beer so I feel like I should get some sort of reformed gold star for that.
Second, I sadly can’t say my honest thoughts because both my PCA pastors can see my updates on this site🤷🏽♀️
Second, I sadly can’t say my honest thoughts because both my PCA pastors can see my updates on this site🤷🏽♀️
March 9, 2020
Well, this book just changed my mind. It's the first time I feel like I've understood what predestination is actually about.
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February 6, 2021I've Been Chosen?
I am constantly amazed at the fact that I've been chosen by God for no other reason than His sovereign love for me. We have a mission and a purpose for our being. To glorify Him and to preach the gospel of Christ. This book brings a difficult and complex subject to a simple understanding.
I am constantly amazed at the fact that I've been chosen by God for no other reason than His sovereign love for me. We have a mission and a purpose for our being. To glorify Him and to preach the gospel of Christ. This book brings a difficult and complex subject to a simple understanding.
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