R.C Sprouls book “What is Reformed Theology is the best available simple explanation of Reformed Theology I have seen. You may have never heard of Reformed theology or you
may have rejected out of court what you believe Calvinism stands for. The truth is that despite its current neglect the theology Sproul so clearly explains in this book has been immensely influential in the centuries since the reformation. Sproul explains what the so-called “solas” mean, and outlines each of the so-called “five points” that make up the acronym TULIP. It is an important book to read since even if you find yourself disagreeing with Sproul, you will at least have a clearer understanding by the end of the book of what is meant by reformed theology
The core question of this book is the same as that of books like Galatians in the bible and it is this- how and why are we saved?
Is salvation that is entirely about what God has done for us? Is any of it about what we have done for him? Do we contribute anything to our salvation except our sin? Is even our faith a gift from God sovereignly dispensed by him with no consideration of any form of merit in us?
I am sure that regular readers of this blog can guess what my answers to these questions are and will not be at all surprised to hear that when I read Sprouls book I found answers that were remakably similar to the answers I would give. Sproul has done a masterful job of expressing those answers in a way that is accessible and easily understandable.
Some quotes that stuck out to me were as follows-
Luther described the state of the believer “simul iustus et peccator”, at the same time (simultaneously) just and sinner”
On judgement and mercy “No one receives punishment at the hands of God that they do not deserve. Some receivce grace at his hands that they do not deserve. Because he is pleased to grant mercy to one does not mean the rest “deseve” the same. If mercy is deserved it is not really mercy, but justice. “
Sproul quotes J.I.Packer who describes the difference between Reformed and Arminian theology as follows “One proclaims a God who saves, the other speaks of a God who enables man to save himself”
Sproul also quoted the Westminster Confession on assurance of salvation which discusses the availability to a believer of “an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidences of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God, which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.” This made me think of my post on 1 John
There is no better book that I have come accross to introduce reformed theology to the modern reader. It will not convince every reader of the truth of calvinism, but will leave its readers in absolutely no doubt about what it is. There are a lot of books which distort the views of their opponents, so you may be surprised to discover what calvinists ACTUALLY believe. This book is so good and covers such a crucial subject that I have added it to my list of books every believer should read.
This review is part of a group book review organise by Diet of Bookworms where you can read other bloggers reviews.
Other Books every Christian should read
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In