After Darkness, Light: Distinctives of Reformed Theology; Essays in Honor of R. C. Sproul [Hardcover]

R. C., Jr. Sproul (Editor), Edmund P. Clowney (Foreword)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875527043
• ISBN-13: 978-0875527048
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,615,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. R.C. Sproul is the founder, chairman and president of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian education ministry located near Orlando, Florida. His teaching can be heard on the program Renewing Your Mind, which is broadcast on hundreds of radio outlets in the United States and in 40 countries worldwide. He is the executive editor of Tabletalk magazine and general editor of The Reformation Study Bible, and the author of more than seventy books and scores of articles for national evangelical publications. Dr. Sproul also serves as president of Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies and Reformation Bible College. He currently serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's in Sanford, FL.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They brought in the best from everywhere, January 14, 2004

By 

Jacob Aitken (Pineville, LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: After Darkness, Light: Distinctives of Reformed Theology; Essays in Honor of R. C. Sproul (Hardcover)

This book was a compilation of essays in honor of R C Sproul. In doing so, they brought in the most articulate Reformed scholars around. For those who want to know a little more about Dr Sproul's life, there are a few brief bio's in the book which are interesting to read.

The set up of the book is the five points of TULIP interspered with the historic Solas of the Reformed faith. The best chapter was easily the one on Sola Fide by Sinclair Ferguson. I have read many popular level introduction of Faith Alone by many good scholars, Sproul included, but this is clearly the best. A quote in distinguishing great and little faith, "These different degrees of faith have in view the extent to which we respond to God in a manner commensurate with the greatness and trustworthiness of his promise." That is only a sample of the erudite, yet understandable nature of the book. Other good chapters are Mike Horton, "Sola Gratia," and John Macarthur, "Solus Christus."

The Book is highly readable (I read mine in 24 hours) and yet very scholarly. By all means take up and read!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly work on Reformed Theology honoring a great Reformed Scholar, December 14, 2005

By 

Michael Ruangnol (Los Angeles, ca United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: After Darkness, Light: Distinctives of Reformed Theology; Essays in Honor of R. C. Sproul (Hardcover)

This is a great book on the branch of theology known as Reformed. The book is focused on the 10 points of the reformed faith. The 5 points of Calvinism known as TULIP, Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresitable grace, and Perserance of the saints. ( Note in the book Limited atonement is known now by a different name Definite atonement.)
Also other point of the book is based on the 5 Sola's of the Reformation.
Sola Scriptura- Scripture alone
Sola Fide- By Faith alone
Sola Gratia- By Grace alone
Solus Christus- By Christ alone
Soli Deo Gloria- To God alone the Glory

And the authors did a great job on expounding upon the doctrines of Graces. I thought the book was done well rather than having the first 5 chapters written on Calvinism then the Solas. The book Starts with one of the points of Calvinism like Total Depravity then it goes to on of the Solas like Sola Scriptura then it goes back to Unconditional Election then back to a Sola. Which I thought was great since i have been reading books on calvinism lately, it keeps the book at a good pace and doesn't getting boring for someone who reads alot of the subject of Reformed theology.

The bio on R.C. Sproul was great because story on great people of Faith, help us remember God's faithfulness to his people.

Soli Deo Gloria
Great book.
A Must read

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Reformed Theology, February 26, 2005

By 

Edward W. Sim - See all my reviews
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This review is from: After Darkness, Light: Distinctives of Reformed Theology: Essays in Honor of R. C. Sproul (Paperback)

I recently picked this book up at the recommendation of a friend. This book talks about the 10 topics of "Reformed" Theology- that is, the 5 points of Calvinism and the 5 "solas" of the Reformation.

The five points of Calvinsim (TULIP) are Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited/Definite Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perserverance of the Saints.

The five Solas of the Reformation are: sola scriptura (scripture is the ultimate authority), sola fide (by faith alone), sola gratia (by grace alone), solus Christus (only by Christ), and Soli Deo Gloria (only for the Glory of God).

Each of the chapters was written by a different contributor, so the style (and ultimately, the quality) of each chapter varies. The overall quality of the book, however is very high and certain chapters stand out as being particularly noteworthy. For instance, R.C. Sproul Jr.'s Soli Deo Gloria is an excellent exposition on the theological basis for Reformed theology (strange, though, that it is the last chapter). Almost all of the chapters provide historical basis for their claim, as well as the brief history of controversies surrounding the topic.

I throroughly enjoyed this book and actually finished it in two sittings. I think the authors presuppose a certain understanding, or at least general compliance with Reformed Theology in the reader. That is, they don't seem to be trying too hard to convince skeptics by addressing counter-arguments, but rather focus on the distinctiveness of Reformed Theology (hence the name). This is an excellent book for anyone that wants a general survey of Reformed Theology.