What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics Summary and Reviews

What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics
by R. C. Sproul

What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics
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Book Summary Information

Author: R. C. Sproul
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-06-01
ISBN: 0801065593
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Baker Books

Book Reviews of What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics

Book Review: One of R.C. Sproul's best
Summary: 5 Stars

What is Reformed Theology is one of R.C. Sproul's best books. It is not written for unbelievers, recent converts, or those who have not read much of the Bible. If you believe the gospel and have read most of the New Testament and some of the Old Testament, you are ready to read What is Reformed Theology. By that time, you will have read some of the many verses in Scripture that are the basis of reformed theology. It is helpful to first read Dr. Sproul's The Holiness of God, or listen to him on the radio, or his podcasts, to get an appreciation for his gentle and loving approach to Christianity.

Sadly, Reformed Theology is too often defined by the five points on which Arminius (or his followers) disagreed with the reformers. In this book, R.C. Sproul does not address these five points until the last five chapters of the book. First, he gives five chapters on topics where there is wider agreement among Christians. These first chapters point out some disagreements with the Roman Catholic Church and with dispensational theology.

We are all pelagians, or semi-pelagians by nature. We want to believe we are born with enough goodness in us that we are able to do the work of coming to faith in Jesus. We want to believe that we did something (coming to faith, at least) on our own, which deserves God's reward. We want to believe that we were born again because of some good thing we did, or some good thing that God foresaw in us. We do not want to believe that God chose us entirely out of his own purposes. Most of our Christian friends are semi-pelagians. The semi-pelagian theology is closer to the popular culture of America, which believes that all people are good at their core. However, many verses in Scripture lead us to the reformed theology of original sin, election, purposeful atonement, effective calling, and preservation of the saints. For example, Eph 1:4-5, "he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." It is true that Dr. Sproul does not quote Scripture as frequently as he could. This is left to the reader, to understand reformed theology and then notice Scripture verses that teach reformed theology, especially "Calvinism."

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