Chosen by God

RC SPROUL was one of the great intellectuals of the church...he knew how to bring to life the serious study of Scripture...this is one example of his acumen as a theologian. This book drives home the doctrine of election, that you were chosen by God from the beginning, and would respond to His IRRESISTIBLE grace. RC brings the study of God's word off the page & into ur heart & soul in a coherent, understandable way.

Sproul makes the beautiful, yet very tough to tackle doctrine of Gods sovereignty in election in clear words. The book leaves the Christian in awe of God and in deeper worship

Since its publication in 1986, Chosen By God 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.

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.

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.

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!

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