Believing God: Twelve Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept [Hardcover]

R.C. Sproul Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2009

In his latest book, Believing God: 12 Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept, Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. challenges Christians to take a second glance at the promises of God in the Bible in order to see anew the grandeur of what God has committed Himself to do for His people. Sproul explores twelve of the most significant promises in Scripture, methodically unpacking each divine pledge. He shows that while Christians may express trust in God s words, they refuse, in numerous ways, to stake their lives on what He says. Sproul goes on to present the clear biblical meaning of each promise and strives to help his readers grasp the sheer wonder and glory of it. Biblical passages on which Sproul focuses include God s promises to forgive the sins of those who confess their transgressions to Him (1 John 1:9); to give wisdom to those who ask it of Him (James 1:5); and to give His people the desires of their hearts (Ps. 37:4). In the final analysis, the book functions as a mirror in which every reader with a teachable heart will see how he or she can more fully believe God. All Christians who appreciate careful biblical teaching and heartfelt passion for God will appreciate and benefit from this book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

R.C. Sproul Jr. planted Saint Peter Presbyterian Church in Southwest Virginia and is the founder, chairman, and teacher of the Highlands Study Center. He graduated from Grove City College in 1986 and Reformed Theological Seminary in 1991. He received his doctor of ministry degree in 2001. He is the author or editor of a dozen books, the most recent of which are Bound for Glory, After Darkness, Light: Essays in Honor of R.C. Sproul, Eternity in our Hearts, and When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling. He is a regular columnist for Tabletalk and Homeschooling Today magazines. Dr. Sproul has ministered in Russia, Myanmar, New Zealand, and Israel. He is a husband to Denise and homeschooling father to Darby, Campbell, Shannon, Delaney, Erin Claire, Maili and Reilly.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 139 pages
• Publisher: Reformation Trust Publishing (February 26, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567691129
• ISBN-13: 978-1567691122
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,115 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you really believe God?, July 12, 2009

By 

Joan N. "bookwomanJoan" (Whidbey Island, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Believing God: Twelve Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept (Hardcover)

R. C. Sproul Jr. says failing to believe God's promises is serious. "When we fail to believe His promises, we fail to believe that He is faithful." R. C. Jr. wrote Believing God to encourage Christians to take God at His word.
R. C. Jr. has chosen to write about twelve of God's promises. He does a great job of placing each of these promises in context and criticizing those who use these promises in a manner God never intended.
The first promise R. C. Jr. looks at is that God will equip us (2 Tim. 3:16). "The trouble is that we don't believe it." He encourages readers to return to the oldest Christian habit of reading, understanding and believing the Word of God.
He next looks at the promise of God's love (1 John 3:1). Our calling, for the rest of our lives, is to get our hearts and minds around the staggering reality that if we are in Christ, God truly, truly loves us.
We are reminded that God has promised forgiveness of our sins (1 John 1:9) and wisdom for the asking (James 1:5). Psalm 127 promises that children are a blessing. (R. C. Jr. does not address the issue of Paul's New Testament suggestion that Christians not marry in 1 Cor. 7:25ff. He also seems to be rather thoughtless with regard to those who have no children.)
The chapter on Psalm 37:4 is worth the price of the book. God promises that we will receive the desires of our heart if we delight in the Lord. R. C. Jr. has some fun with how difficult it is for Reformed people to "delight" in God. He reminds the stiff Calvinists that the Westminster Catechism reminds Christians we were made to enjoy God. When we delight ourselves in the Lord we do receive the desires of our heart for we desire Him. God is not only the promise keeper but is Himself the promise.
God has promised to open the windows of heaven in Mal. 3:10. R. C. Jr. addresses the "health and wealth" preachers and the damage they have caused. He helps the reader understand why Malachi asserted this promise. The Israelites doubted God and their worship was mere habit and not heart felt. He also notes that this passage in Malachi reflects a pattern of God's behavior. God is not a celestial slot machine.
With the same care R. C. Jr. looks at the promise of casting mountains into the sea (Mark 11:22-24), the promise that all things work together (Rom. 8:28), that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), that the good work will be completed (Phil.1:6), and that we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2).
R. C. Jr. says he wrote this book because, "I want to see the people of God grow in grace and wisdom." The result of his writing is a great book to use for personal devotion or as a group study. His work presents a challenge to every Christian to take God at His word.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too fluffy, May 18, 2009

By 

Meriam Matthews (Lake Toxaway, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Believing God: Twelve Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept (Hardcover)

Without wishing to insult R.C Junior, his writing simply doesn't measure up to that of his father. It's more than likely that Sproul Jr. is not trying to do that, but that said, in this book, you have 12 biblical promises God has made to mankind and R.C.Jr's advice and exposition on how to truly believe them. The goal is sound, but the presentation is rocky and awkward. I found it repetitious, tedious, often rambling and overall, "Christian Lite".

Perhaps it is my being so used to his father's work that I expected similar depth, so my own preferences may have gotten in the way of my appreciating this book as others might. If you don't want to go too deeply, this is something you might very well enjoy. If you'd rather go deep, his father's books may be more to your liking, especially "Chosen By God" or "Willing To Believe"; it may depend on where you are in your Christian walk. I would not recommend this book to serious Biblical students, theologians and mature (in their faith) Christians. I wish I could have given this a better review.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trust God for He is Trustworthy, March 24, 2010

By 

Mike Robinson "Mike A Robinson: Apologetic An... (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Believing God: Twelve Biblical Promises Christians Struggle to Accept (Hardcover)

On any given day you may encounter a variety of obstacles that can make trusting God's providence seem difficult. In "Believing God," R. C. Sproul Jr. reveals how often Christians fall short in trusting God's promises. This means that we often do not affirm that God is faithful and trustworthy, moreover this is not only unhelpful, but it is a sin. Sproul offers this very readable volume to promote and stir up the faith in believing Christians as one grows in trusting God's holy word.

The author offers clear exposition on promises including:
- God's everlasting and unconditional love for His people
- Our election in Christ
- Expiation for our sins and Justification by grace alone
- Fulfilled promises as the covenant believer delights in God's word and its sure promises
- Benefits from Heaven for faithful tithers
- Real hope for those who are called by God inasmuch as all things work together for good.

Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

This text is a smooth edifying and educational study and is great for new Christians or those stuck in doubt and weak faith. Since Jesus Christ has overcome the world, hell, and the devil, the believer can trust in the certain promises of the thrice holy God through our Savior and Redeemer.
see the fresh new book that defends Christian truth:
Truth, Knowledge and the Reason for God: The Defense of the Rational Assurance of Christianity