Saved from What?

I have noticed that it has become popular for a number of authors to write short books or booklets (less than 100 pages) on a particular subject or point of doctrine. In the past, these were called pamphlets or tracts and were very inexpensive, often small pocket-sized paper publications. Often the problem with these pamphlets was they looked cheap, were poorly written and printed, and had unappealing artwork. Hence, they usually ended up, though not always, unread and in the trash. Today's version of the old pamphlet, what I call "giveaways," is often a small hardback or paperback publication, well designed, written and printed. R.C. Sproul's book entitled Saved from What? is one of those. As so often is the case with Sproul, the idea for this book came from his vivid memory of an experience he had back in the late 60's when he was a professor of theology at the Conwell School of Theology in Philadelphia. As he was walking to class, his way was blocked by a gentleman who looked him directly in the eye and asked, "Are you saved?" Not knowing quite what to say, Sproul says he responded with the first words that came to his mind, "Saved from what?" Great question! Sproul proceeds from that important question and presents in this book a short, but informative study, starting with his answer to, Saved from What? The book is divided into three parts, each asking a slightly different question. Part 1 - Saved "from" What? (Heb 10:31; Rom 1:18) Part 2 - Saved "by" What? (1 Cor 2:1-2; 15:1-4) Part 3 - Saved "for" What? (John 14:1-4) The three questions posed by Sproul are really the heart of the gospel message. Without asking and answering them accurately, we are failing to proclaim the whole gospel. And the results should make that obvious. Sproul clearly and concisely reminds us that we must not neglect or forget our horrific standing before God without Christ, and our blessed position in Christ after the cross and in Christ. We are either under God's blessing or the curse, deserving only his wrath. While reading Part 1, Saved from What?, I was reminded of the well-known sermon preached by Jonathan Edwards (1741) entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." We certainly don't hear sermons like that anymore. Though I thought the answer to Dr. Sproul's question was pretty obvious, after reading the other reviews and comments, I was amazed at how many different answers there were. That reinforced just how important and appropriate this clearly written, concise and straight to the point book really is. Dr. Sproul has written another worthwhile jewel. I highly recommend reading Saved from What?, and then prayerfully pass it along to another Christian or non-Christian, remembering, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!"

Next to the Bible itself, this book is the most needed study for all Christians. In it, R.C. concisely postulates the very essence of salvation, our position without the cross and our position thereafter. Our church has lost its foundation thereby rendering our exhortation that everyone be saved lacks any real meaning. But once we have fully comprehended the holiness and justice of God, we cannot forget exactly what we are saved from, giving revival to our mission as God's ambassadors.

The mantra of the evangelical Christian is, "I'm saved." But how often do we actually think about that statement and what it really means? Saved from what? Saved from God. This is central to orthodox Christianity, yet it is something so many people either ignore, try to debunk, or just plain don't understand. Sproul, in this book, lays bare the great danger in which we find ourselves when we turn our backs on the God who saved us. Yes. He saved us. We are saved from God, we are saved by God, and we are saved for God. This concept is obviously a controversial and emotionally charged issue, as evidenced by another review I recently read. The reviewer is obviously offended by the very idea that God's justice demands payment for our sins, and punishment for our crimes. But if this isn't the case, then what does it mean to be saved? If Jesus' suffering means nothing, as this reviewer claims, then we are still under the law, still condemned, and still destined for hell. This is justice, because it's what we deserve. When we understand how heinous our sin is, we can begin to realize how great the miracle of salvation by God, through His Son, really is. We can begin to fathom what it means to say that God is love. This book is not scripture in itself, but every claim that Sproul makes is backed by the Bible. God does not desire suffering for us. A good God does not want His creatures to suffer. But because God is good, and not just good, but HOLY, He cannot ignore evil because it offends His very goodness. Therefore, an appropriate companion to this book is another by Sproul, "The Holiness of God." When I read the aforementioned review, it made me cringe, because it showed just how little understanding many people have of God's holiness. Truth and scripture are eternal. The unwritten suggestion that we "modern" people know better than those who still believe in the archaic notion of God's wrath is tantamount to saying that we know better than God, who the Christian must agree is the ultimate Author of scripture. Isaiah 53:10a states: "But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering". Christ's suffering does have value to God, no matter how many "modern" scholars say otherwise. This person left one thing out of their scathing yet ill-founded review. They don't answer the question. If you deny what R.C. Sproul defends, that we are saved from God's eternal, righteous wrath, then you need another conclusion to the question: "Saved from What?" Sproul is true to classical Reform theology, and true to scripture as he answers this question honestly and brilliantly.

Two Quotes from page forty-five: "However, when the scripture tells us that God saves us, that salvation is of the Lord, we tend to forget that salvation is from the Lord." "The last thing in the World the impenitent sinner ever wants to meet on the other side of the grave is God." The book is titled Saved From What. The What is God. One does not want to suffer under the wrath of God. Man cannot understand God's Grace unless one understands God's Holiness; part of God's Holiness is His hatred of sin. God is a righteous god; He demands man be punished when he wrongs God. Yes, God seeks a contrite heart. R.C. Sproul has written a complete text on the Holiness of God; he has written a complete text about man's shattered image since man's original sin; he has written several texts about God's Grace; in many text he has made clear the distinction between mercy and justice. Saved From What incorporates these concepts into explaining why God sent an innocent man to die for the guilty. Why did God the Father send His only Son Jesus to earth to live and suffer under the torments of fallen man, to be humiliated by fallen man, and to be executed by fallen man. Why did Jesus suffer as a sinner when He Himself knew not sin? Why was this all needed so repented fallen man may not receive eternal damnation. R.C. Sproul makes clear the impenitent have no part as adopted Children of God the Father. I do not believe one can share one's Christian faith unless one has a clear concept of God, man's sin, and his need for forgiveness. This book aims to give a clear short explanation of the Good News. The Good News is not about curing physical illness or financial distress. It is about one's relationship with God. It is about being right with God, so one will not receive eternal punishment through the hand of God. R.C. Sproul explains how sin causes a debt to be paid by man, a ransom to be paid by man, and how sin caused man to be cursed. The author elaborates how the death of Jesus on the cross pays the debt, how the crucifixion pays the ransom, and removes God's curse. It is not enough that the punishment for sin is removed but the righteousness of God is imputed to the repentant sinner. Sproul further explains that the repentant believer become children of God. This brings the consequence of the Christian joining Jesus in Heaven. The book concludes with a beatific vision: an explanation of the regenerate man's perception of God and heaven, once he makes his final destination.

By now, you have probably at least HEARD about the Passion, and hopefully seen it as well. But for all the movie's merits, Mel never told us why those whips fell, or why the cross. Unless you knew the story from Genesis onward, the Passion of Christ would deserve the snide remarks about its excessive violence. It'd be just another gore flick. But, books like this one explain the why, what Jesus accomplished. It's concise and clear, straight to the heart ,and to the point. Like RC's radio program, it has a slight humorous slant, and is very informative. After reading this, you have a clear picture of grace.