The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good (Sproul, R. C. R.C. Sproul Library.) (Sproul, R. C. R.C. Sproul Library.) (Sproul, R. C. R.C. Sproul Library.) (Paperback)

by R. C. Sproul (Author) "I HAD JUST PULLED MY CAR INTO THE GARAGE AND stepped out of it when the door to the kitchen opened and my daughter, Sherrie,..." (more)
Key Phrases: New Testament, Old Testament, God Himself (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Every woman who has delivered a stillborn baby knows the devastation it brings to the heart," write R. C. Sproul. "Who can experience such a thing without crying to heaven and asking, "Why?"Â’ It is normal to wonder where God is in such circumstances. It is where the rubber of human anguish meets the road of divine providence." "This book is an effort to face those issues and questions that arise with regard to God's providence," Sproul writes. "It is designed to look at the question of providence, not only from a doctrinal viewpoint, but chiefly from an examination of concrete experiences of the flesh-and-blood people whose lives and struggles are recorded for us in sacred Scripture." Sproul concludes: "The Providence of God is our fortress, our shield, and our very great reward. It is what provides courage and perseverance for His saints." All who read The Invisible Hand will find themselves praising God for his mercy and loving kindness.

About the Author
Dr. R. C. Sproul, president of Ligonier Ministries, and Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, teaches thousands of people each year via audio and video tapes, speaking engagements, and his growing radio ministry. He is the author of several books, including Basic Training, What's in the Bible, and Loved by God and is co-author of Classical Apologetics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (September 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875527094
• ISBN-13: 978-0875527093
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #425,515 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The fingerprints of God, March 4, 2001

By	Rob Taylor "robtaylormade" (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Invisible Hand (Hardcover)

I've been wanting to review this book for some time now, but my review won't do it justice. Not since I read one of Sproul's earlier books, The Holiness of God, has a book simultaneously shaken my soul and comforted it with the presence of God in this way. This one follows the tradition. Renown for his thought-provoking teachings, Sproul takes the doctrines of God's immanence and providence down from the ivory tower and underscores them in the lives of the biblical characters as well as his own. This is theology at it's finest...truth for living.

Sproul's purpose in writing this book is "to look at the question of providence, not only from a doctrinal viewpoint, but chiefly from an examination of concrete experiences of the flesh-and-blood people whose lives and struggles are recorded for us in sacred Scripture" (2). And this he does par excellence. You can almost feel Abraham's stomach churn as he ponders the immanent sacrifice of his beloved son Isaac, while splitting firewood for the altar early in the morning. You can almost hear the waves of the Nile lapping against the basket of bulrushes which contained the future leader of God's chosen people from slavery to the promised land. You can almost see Joseph's bloodied, mangled, technicolor coat as he wept in the presence of his brothers, compassionately telling them, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive" (Gen. 50:20). Our God is not "out there". . . He is right here.

Some of the areas of God's providence that this book touches on deal with God's involvement with His creation through miracles, the display of His glory, evil in the world, prayer, the flow of history and the history of redemption. At least one chapter is devoted to each of these topics which are very broad topics in and of themselves, but Sproul briefly touches on the involvement of God in each one of them displaying His love and purpose for His creation.

Sproul says that providence "is not merely that God looks at human affairs. The point is that He looks after human affairs. He not only watches us, He watches over us" (17). As far as the biblical teaching that all things that work together for good to those who love God is concerned, Sproul makes a clear distinction between the proximate, or soon occurring, and the ultimate. For example, we may experience things in our lives that are supremely good. These things are proximately and ultimately good. But we may also experience things that aren't good at all, but are for our good. Just like veggies to a kid, these things are proximately bad yet ultimately good. Sproul says that when Paul tells us that all things work together for good to those who love God, that he does not say that all things that happen are good things. What Paul is saying is that all things that happen to us, good and bad, are working together for our good. Ultimately it is good that these things happen to us (171).

One of the reasons why I love this book is because Sproul is such a ponderous writer and he writes with the views of history on the tip of his pen. He asks the hard questions and he's lets you search for the answers along with him. Sometimes the answers lead to more questions but never before learning something valuable about the providence and ways of Almighty God. If you've ever charged to the throne of God with the question, "Why?!", read this book. You'll gain invaluable insight into the purposes of God which will give you and incredible thirst for the "Unmoved Mover", as Aristotle called God. This book will bring you to your knees in tears at the feet of your creator God in awe as you realize his involvement in every detail of your life with the goals to make His desires yours and to change you into the likeness of His Son. Afterward, you'll be able to stand higher and firmer in the confidence that He is the sovereign Captain of your soul and the loving Master of your fate. I read this book at a time in my life that I would label "tragic" and it pointed me to the providential grace of God in a way that truly restored my soul to trust in my God. Sometimes He calms the storm . . . sometimes He calms the child.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Invisible Hand (Hardcover)

I heard about this book in a sermon when I was visiting my sister's place of fellowship in Houston, Tx. The pastor's sermon was centered around the title of this book. It ministered so deeply to me my in time of hurt and seriously doubting God, that I knew I had to have it. I just finished reading it tonight. Through reading this book, my trust in God has been restored, and my soul has been somehow quieted, knowing that God is at work behind the scene. This book is a must read. Yet, I must caution, it is only for the serious readers. It reveals an aspect of God's character that is only appreciated through active, close fellowship. This book will challange you to move beyond a casual distant relationship with God, and literally woo you into deep personal intimacy with Him. As you seriously consume what is conveyed in this book, it will bring a calmness, a quietness, and a confidence in your soul. For the essence of the message of this book is that "all things work together for the good of those who love God". Therefore, even the bad things are good "ultimately", if not "proximately". This book is not an "easy" read. In some places it is a little belabored theologically, but I believe the author used it to make every effort to get his point across. If your faith is in shambles, and you are doubting God, this book may prove to be a life-line to you. It was to me. Take the time to read it. It's well worth the investment.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars America....Read this!, June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Invisible Hand (Paperback)

It has been said that America has lost her soul. Well this book will help her get it back. RC Sproul does it again as he knows how to take the "cookies" and put them down on the lower shelf within easy grasp. Taking on a difficult, yet vitally important doctrine, the author weaves a tapestry concerning divine providence which is woven together by sound biblical teaching and tender personal insight.The reader will come to understand that nothing happens by chance or coincidence since God is in control of every person and particle in the universe. When questions arise concerning events such as the chaos in Kosovo or the crisis in Columbine, this book which addresses a basic principle concerning the nature of God and His goveranace over humanity will be tremendously helpful. God does indeed control the universe and promises that all things will work together for the good of His people.The basic theistic belief that God foreordains and foreknows whatsoever comes to pass will prove to be challenging, while at the same time, extremely comforting.This tome will prove to be intense enough for the most profound philosopher while simple enough for the average lay person. Whoever chooses to read this book will find that their time has been well spent.