Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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

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.

Reformed Theology told to you straight by real theologian greats in our own time!

This one is definitely worth checking out if you want to learn more about Reformed Theology, or maybe are not yet convinced that it is truth. I like the prevalence of Scriptural proofs in this book.

A Good one to give out to all of your Arminean friends...

Martin Luther used terms Sola to describe where the bible and the Roman Catholic church were not consistent. He used the terms Solea scriptura, Sola Fide, Sola Gracia, Sola christus and Soli De Gloria. Sola Scripture is a term meaning by scripture alone. What popes said, what eccumenical councilsdecided and what was stated on a creed did not matter if it was not consistent with the word and meaning of scripture. God's word commonly known as the Holuy Bible teach the other Sola's, so the concept should carry some weight with all Bible believing believers.

Sola Fide, man is saved through Faith alone. That is faith in Jesus Christ as described in the Holy Bible. That is man repents for his sins against God, believes what the bible teaches about redemption,, depends on the Grace of God for salvation- not on his ability to follow God's will or that of another Human being.

Sola Gratia, God hates sin, God is Holy,, God punishes those who rebel against His will. God send His Son so we will not have to pay the price for my sin against God. It is not out of behavior, deservidness, or any form of merrit that I can obntain redemption. It out of God's Grace , God's giving heart alone one may receive salvation.

Sola Christus- Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone. No merit on my part at all. Jesus died on the cross for me despite whom I am or who any body else is. This was accomplished only because of the grace of God and not because anyone deserved it. No other person adds to the salvation Jesus provides.

Soli Deo Gloria
Give God the Glory or To God be the Glory
Not other saints, Mother of Jesus, yourself or Popes. God created the Universe for His Glory, Provided Salvation for His Glory. Do not allow you manner orf praise or worship divert from God's glory.

Tulip, A Flower created by God, most commonly associated with the Netherlands. Once upon a time the Dutch people were known for something else. Not a monopoly or olgarky, but Tulip as a commodity. A much cherished truth. An Anocroymn describes this Truth. Serves as an explanation of Thought. This train of thought is no longer popular. Neither is it totally abandoned. As the arguments behind its theology are made by the contributing theologians in this book.

T_U_L_I _P

Total depravity,
An apt descriptionof Man's Falleness, His rebellion against his creator.
Unconditional Election To be chosen by one's creator , not because one ois more deserving or distinguished. Not one's own purpose, duty, or more loveable, more deserving, or desireable. It is not out of one deserving more to be distinguished or to be chosen as one to be cleansed, atowned for, and/or redeemed. It is by the grace of God certain people are called unto salvation.

Limited Atonement Or known as Definent Attonement
What did one Man's life, death and resurection wrought. What did it atone for. Whom did He die forWhen Jesus live on this earth, did He knowwhat he purchased at such a high cost Was his salvation limmitedto the chosen. Did His Life, Death, and Ressurectionbring a a definite number of souls to His church.

Irresistable Grace
To Come to God, To recognize a need, To Repent, To acknowledgeOne's need, For Love, To be retrospective, To act on one's own fallenness. Can ever a totally depraved individual act as such. Or does God have to make it happen.

Preservation of the Saints
Are those Chosen Elect more God like then sinner. The answer is yes. Both saved and unsaved are more identifiable as worms then the characteristics of God. Even those most celebrated in Christ are more like worms. deserving damnation, deserving eternal death. this fact does not change when chosen, Elect, and atoned for. Those who are elect need their lot sealed through the power of God. This is accomplished through the Third Person of the God Head. No salvation is not held or secure through my power or my perseverance, but of the Holy Spirit.

I believe that this book contains some of the most clear explanations of basic Reformed Theology and, by definition, the foundations of Orthodox Christianity as espoused by the Protestant Reformers. Each of the chapters masterfully details the different aspects of each particular doctrine, why they are important, and what they each expose as being contrary to the Gospel message.

I have come away from this book feeling enriched in my own faith, and having a newfound appreciation for the depth of the Reformed tradition as it has fought to remain true to Christ and the apostolic faith given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The grace of God is without measure towards His people! May His name forever be praised!

I'm happy to agree with the positive reviews of this book, and don't want to "reinvent the wheel" by regurgitating those remarks.

I'd like to say how much I enjoyed the chapter on Sola Scriptura (the bible alone), by Keith Mathison. He sensibly points out that this slogan is meant to remind us that Scripture is the sole source of God's revelation for us today, because it is perfect, sufficient for instructing us in all God wants us to know and our supreme authority.

But we must remember that the saying was meant to state that the Scripture is our final authoritative norm, but not that it is our only authority. God has put teachers in the church who are under Scripture's authority, but who have been given to us to help us understand his Word.

Irt is not that the Church gives the bible its authority, but that God's people have recognised the unique authority of the Scriptures because of its supremacy.

There is also a place for tradition, such as the historic creeds of the Church, but these also are subservient to the Scriptures. They are not infallible, but are a trustworthy guide, again under the supreme authority the bible.

Mathison tells us that this explanation of the saying "Sola Scriptura" is essential because it is an accurate reflection of what the Reformers meant, and also because if we say that the bible alone has authority and the Church has no authority, we descend into "my interpretation of the bible alone is authoritative."

so excited to get this book can't wait to see what God has in store thru this study, take care all and God bless