"Now, That's a Good Question!" by R.C. Sproul

I've read a lot of books by R.C. Sproul.  They always challenge my brain a little or a lot, depending on how deep he gets into the Reformed/Calvinist theology.  This book, however, was different.  Unlike many of his other books, I would pass this on to a new believer (a lot of his books I wouldn't do that because unless that person is a really intense 'student' it could be frustrating and overwhelming) because in it he answers over "300 frequently asked questions about life and faith".  He never strays from his theologically reformed path but he makes it completely 'graspable', for which I'm so very thankful.   

This is a book that absolutely every Christian should have on their shelf for when someone asks that "tough" question and you know that you know the answer but just can't formulate it with your own brain.  Obviously this happens to me a lot!!

Here's just a few highlights of his answers to many, many questions:

How would you define the sovereignty of God?

"...if there is one molecule in this universe running around loose outside the scope or the sphere of God's divine control and authority and power, then that single maverick molecule may be the grain of sand that changes the entire course of human history, that blocks God from keeping the promises he has made to his people...For if there is one maverick molecule, it would mean that God is not sovereign.  If God is not sovereign, then God is not God.  If there is any element of the universe that is outside of his authority, then he no longer is God over all.  In other words, sovereignty belongs to deity.  Sovereignty is a natural attribute to the Creator.  God owns what he makes, and he rules what he owns." (p. 20)

What does the Bible mean when it talks about quenching the Holy Spirit?

"...We are to be, as it were, set aflame with a holy passion for the things of God.  Whatever it is that hinders or stifles our internal cooperation with the indwelling Spirit of God is a kind of quenching of the Spirit...[after the Holy Spirit comes upon us in the initial] moment of being quickened to new life, of regeneration, the rest of the Christian life is a cooperative venture between the new person in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside him or her.  The more we cooperate with the Spirit, the more we grow in grace, but we can retard and hinder that growth by doing those things that would put out the fire." (p. 50-1)

When I discuss biblical concept with my friends I'm often met with the reply "That's your interpretation."  How should I respond?

"...Though I have the right to read the Bible for myself and the responsibility to interpret it accurately, nobody ever has the right to interpret the Bible incorrectly.  I believe there is only one correct interpretation of the Bible.  There may be a thousand different applications of one verse, but only one correct interpretation.  My interpretation may not be right and yours may not be right, but if they're different, they can't both be right.  That's relativism taken to its ridiculous extreme.  When someone says, "Well, that's your interpretation," I would respond, "Let's try to get at the objective meaning of the text and beyond our own private prejudices"". (p. 70) 

Is it possible for a Christian to lose his salvation because of sins he commits?

"...I'm persuaded from a study of Scripture that we can have an assurance of our salvation...But the assurance that we have...must be based upon the right foundations...If it were up to my strength to persevere to guarantee my future salvation, then I would have very little hope of persevering...what God begins in our life, he finishes...My confidence for my future salvation rests in my confidence that God will keep his promise and that Christ will intercede for me and preserve me.  Again, if it were left to me, I would obviously fall away.  I like to look at it this way: I'm walking the Christian life with my hand in God's hand.  If my perseverance depended upon my holding tightly to God's hand, I would surely fall away because at some point I would let go.  But I believe that the Scriptures teach us that God is holding my hand, and because he is holding my hand, I don't have to fear that I will fall ultimately and finally...In and of myself I am capable of sinning even unto the loss of my salvation, but I'm persuaded that God in his grace will keep me from that."   (p. 91)

I know that God has forgiven me for my sins, but how can I begin to forgive myself?

"...Let's look at it this way.  If somebody sins against me and that person repents, God forgives them.  If I refuse to forgive them, can you think how ghastly that is in the sight of God?  God is not obligated to forgive that person.  That person has sinned against God, and God has never sinned against anybody.  Here I am - a person who is a sinner refusing to forgive other sinners which God, who is sinless, is willing to forgive.  Have you ever stopped to think about the arrogance that's in me when I refuse to forgive somebody that God has forgiven?  Now, how could you forgive yourself after God has forgiven you?....Doesn't God say that if you confess a sin one time, he'll forgive you?  Who are you to refuse the forgiveness of God, and who are you to condemn one whom God has forgiven?  That's arrogance.  You may not feel arrogant, you may not mean to be arrogant, you may be rolling in humility with all of your confessions.  But I am telling  you that if God has forgiven you, it is your duty to forgive yourself.  It's not an option.  You must forgive those whom God forgives, including yourself" (p.121-2)

Are those who have never heard of Christ going to hell?

"...Nothing is more terrifying of more awful to contemplate than any human being would go to hell...I would say the most important section of Scripture to study with respect to that question is the first chapter of Romans...when Paul introduces the gospel, he beings in the first chapter by declaring that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven and this manifestation of God's anger is directed against a human race that has become ungodly and unrighteous.  So the reason for God's anger is anger against evil.  God's not angry with innocent people; he's angry with guilty people...every human being knows that there is a God and that he is accountable to God.  Yet every human being disobeys God...God never punishes people for rejecting Jesus if they've never heard of Jesus...But again, there are other reasons to go to hell.  To reject God the Father is a very serious thing.  And no one will be able to say on the last day, "I didn't know that you existed," because God has revealed himself plainly.  Now the Bible makes it clear that people desperately need Christ...I think we have to pay serious attention to the passionate command of Christ to go to the whole world, to every living creature, and tell them of Jesus." (p. 238-9)

How can I tell others about Jesus in a manner that is nonthreatening yet convincing?

"...People are extremely sensitive about how they're approached on matters of religion.  Many of us who are so excited about our faith in Christ want to share it with everyone we love, and our intentions are good...But when we do that, so often we come across to these people as saying, in attitude if not in words, "I'm good and you're not."  People are turned off by that and rightly so.  Somebody once said that evangelism, true evangelism, is only this - one beggar, telling another beggar how to find bread.  I recognize that my faith is a result of the grace of God.  And so we must understand that when we're talking to people, we're called to be gracious and kind...many more times people get angry not because they're offended by Christ but because they're offended by our insensitivity toward them as people" (p. 249)

What is the biblical idea of a godly Christian marriage?

"...what God ordains and institutes, he also exercises his sovereignty over within the framework of marriage.  Obviously, a marriage that is to last has to be based upon a kind of mutual trust and fidelity...That's why the Bible takes such a dim view of adultery, for example, because it is the supreme act of infidelity that breaks the trust and breaks the faith upon which the marriage is built...even though it is very unpopular in our day and age...I don't think we can escape the fact that the New Testament gives the responsibility for headship and leadership in the home to the husband.  That responsibility is not a license for tyranny.  It is not a license for domination or for destroying the dignity of the woman, but rather it's a burden.  It's a task where the buck stops with the husband in terms of giving leadership and direction in the home.  But it's still in relationship of mutual love and respect of a vital partnership in the home." (p. 303)


Should Christians impose their ethics upon non-Christians?
"...When we talk about ethical authority, ultimately I would say that the only being in the universe having the intrinsic right impose an obligation on any other being is God himself.  Only God is the Lord of the human conscience...God has at the same time delegated certain authorities who have the right to impose ethical obligations on other people [parents upon their children, government laws upon their constituents]...For Christians who have pet projects unique to Christian enterprises, to use the law and law enforcement to get their way in the public arena may be an exercise in tyranny...I think that Christians ought to be keenly protective of the First Amendment not only for themselves but for everyone out there.  So, I would be very hesitant before imposing uniquely Christian principles upon non-Christians" (p. 402)

Please, have this book on hand in your library.  There are so many great questions that Dr. Sproul answers.   From sensitive issues like women in leadership and abortion to "hmmm" tops like whether Christmas is a pagan ritual or why an "X" is used sometimes when spelling Christian (Xian) or Christmas (Xmas)!!  There's even a section entitled "Puzzling Passages".