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What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics | 
 enlarge | Author: R. C., Sproul
Publisher: Baker Books
Category: Book
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Rating:  21 reviews
Sales Rank: 27352
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.9
ISBN: 0801065593
Dewey Decimal Number: 230
EAN: 9780801065590
ASIN: 0801065593
Publication Date: June 1, 2005
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Product Description
Few evangelical Christians today understand Reformed theology, even though it has become an immensely influential theological tradition. Recognizing only key terms relating to predestination or the five points, many Christians want a better explanation of the concepts and beliefs that make up a Reformed perspective. What is Reformed Theology? is an introduction to a doctrine that has eluded so many evangelical Christians. And who better to teach about Reformed theology than R. C. Sproul? In thoroughly expounding the foundational doctrines and five points, Sproul asserts the reality of God's amazing grace. For anyone wanting to know more about Reformed theology, this candid book offers a coherent and complete introduction to an established belief. Previously published as Grace Unknown
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| Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 Good Introduction October 8, 2008
Sproul's clearly written book helps readers understand the basics about Reformed theology. The first half of the book is loosely based on the five solas of the Reformation while the second half of the book takes up an explanation of the five points of Calvinism. Chapter 3, on the idea of sola fide, is particularly helpful in drawing distinctions between the Reformed view of justification and the Catholic view. Many who are not from a Catholic background may find long-held assumptions about the Catholic understanding of justification do not square with reality. Sproul, while not endorsing Catholic theology, seems to do a better job than most evangelical authors of explaining it.
I would have appreciated a fuller discussion in chapter 5 of Covenants and Covenant theology as compared to Dispensationalism in particular. There is also no mention of the connections of the covenant of circumcision with paedo-baptism, but perhaps these topics were too far afield for an introductory work.
Where Sproul does his best work is in the second half of the book, where he describes the five points of Calvinism. He brings clarity without sacrificing the force of any of the five points. There are areas where he does not go into great detail (double predestination for example) which may disappoint some readers, but this work introduces the topic and is not an exhausitive treatment. Finally, Sproul does a good job showing the logical consistency of the five points and how they stand or fall together. This book is well worth the attention of anyone who wants to understand the theology of the Reformers better.
 One of R.C. Sproul's best July 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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."
 Even for an introduction, lack of references is unacceptable May 16, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
R.C. Sproul's What Is Reformed Theology is a very clear articulate overview of what Reformed Theology really is. Sproul stays pretty clear of hairy and confusing details and sticks to the major origins, doctrines and objections. What you get in the end is an explanation that's hard to misunderstand. Now, reformed theology sits well with my understanding of scripture and personal experience and so for my own personal reading and encouragement, Sproul's work here was adequate and enjoyable. However, I have some grievances.
I like to think that in my belief, I'm subscribed to scripture (I'd also like to think that if I wrote a book, it'd shine through; but who am I, maybe not). However, so far as my understanding extends, that lines up nicely with what people call Reformed Theology. So, I suppose by proxy, you could say that I subscribe to Reformed Theology. However, I also feel that my first commitment being to the Word of God, if I could conclusively say that my `theological camp,' were off base somewhere, I would abandon the camp to remain with scripture.
I believe strongly that people ought to be believers of the Word of God, first and finally. The words they believe from men should be checked and tested against the Word of God and conscience. In Sproul's work, although I agree with what he says, he very rarely gives specific reference to scripture. Now, I'm certain some would say that it's because he wasn't trying to bog the writing down with non-essential information; he is interested in giving only a basic overview. The back of the book, in part, reads: "What is Reformed Theology is not a textbook but rather an accessible introduction to the beliefs that have been immensely influential in the evangelical church." I understand that this book is not a "textbook," however, unless people can substantiate their beliefs with the Word of God, there is little good reason to provide an overview, no matter how accessible it is.
Sproul could have easily spared full biblical quotation and simply could have left biblical references following unqualified statements. Or even thinner than that, could very easily given us basic references which we could flip to the back of the book to find their biblical qualification.
For this reason, I doubt I will recommend this book highly to very many people. While Sproul's information is good, it feels like he builds a platform for us to trust in the word of Reformed Theology, rather than the Word of God and that to me is both unacceptable and dangerous. Blind devotion to any theological camp is no devotion at all, it must be substantiated by the Word of God.
Wonderful Introduction to the Reformed Faith May 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
R. C. Sproul's book What is Reformed Theology? leaves no doubt as to what the book is about. It is an accessible, yet serious overview of the most essential facets of Reformed Theology. And Sproul, one of the foremost Reformed theologians known today, communicates his preferred system of doctrine lucidly and competently.
What is Reformed Theology? is divided into two parts. Part 1 is called Foundations of Reformed Theology and has five chapters: 1) Centered on God, 2) Based on God's Word Alone, 3) Committed to Faith Alone, 4) Devoted to the Prophet, Priest, and King, and 5) Nicknamed Covenant Theology. Part 2, on the other hand, is called Five Points of Reformed Theology. Traditionally, the five points have been known by the mnemonic device TULIP, which has stood for Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. While Dr. Sproul has not wanted to eschew the traditional terms, he has nonetheless opted for a revised list for his chapter titles on each of the five points. They are as follows: 1) Humanity's Radical Corruption, 2) God's Sovereign Choice, 3) Christ's Purposeful Atonement, 4) The Spirit's Effective Call, and 5) God's Preservation of the Saints.
Apart from the two parts which make up the meat of the book, Sproul provides a lengthy introduction before Part 1 that gives the reader some important preliminary information about Reformed Theology. And in the back of the book Sproul includes a hymn by Isaac Watts, Chapter Notes, Suggestions for Further Reading, Glossary of Foreign Terms, Index of Subjects, of Persons, and of Scripture.
His best chapters from Part 1 are Chapter 3, Committed to Faith Alone and Chapter 4, Devoted to the Prophet, Priest, and King. Sproul is on fire as he exposits the doctrine of justification by faith alone. And he does so without caricaturing or mischaracterizing opposing views, like those of Rome. And in Chapter 4 Sproul once again manages to get across the most seemingly confusing concepts with relative ease. It's not a breeze trying to present the orthodox position on Christ's dual-natures over against the heretical views condemned by the early church councils. Yet once again, Sproul shines.
In Part 2, nearly the entire section is phenomenal with the exception of the final chapter called God's Preservation of the Saints. I found the final chapter to be the least convincing and well-supported of the book, yet I found Sproul's treatment of the other four points to be expertly written. It takes a special talent to communicate difficult subject matter like Calvinism is often thought to be. And Sproul does the job wonderfully, providing analogies, easy-to-follow arguments, precise terminology, and historical examples. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to better understand Reformed Theology.
A great Primer April 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
What is Reformed Theology? That really is a deep, honest question that has been lost in the majority report of evangelicals of the western world. While Sproul deals with the basics of Calvin's teachings, he also helps the reader see how the Reformed Theology flows from within the Scripture to form a matrix by which we read each book, each verse, each doctrine, and each truth of Scripture. An excellent introduction (and should be used alongside R. C. Sproul's DVD series by the same title). Sproul and others have helped us see past the titles of Arminian, Pelagian, Calvinism, et al and begin to see the golden threads of biblical understanding that have been a part of Christian instruction since the time of Augustine. Definitely a volume to devour several times. Each reading unveils more and more of the profound truth of doctrines that liberated the church in the early 16th Century. Get it and use it!
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