Chosen by God

R. C. Sproul wrote this theological primer in response to what he saw as widespread confusion and hostility toward the doctrine of predestination within evangelical Christianity. Published in 1986 during his tenure as a prominent Reformed theologian and educator, the book emerged from Sproul's pastoral concern that many Christians either misunderstood or outright rejected this central tenet of Reformed theology without properly examining its biblical foundations.

Sproul methodically walks readers through the scriptural case for divine election, addressing common objections and misconceptions along the way. He distinguishes between different forms of predestination, explaining why he believes double predestination—God's active election of some to salvation and passive reprobation of others—follows necessarily from biblical teaching about human depravity and divine sovereignty. The book tackles difficult questions about God's justice, human responsibility, and the relationship between divine decree and human choice. Sproul argues that predestination, far from being a harsh or arbitrary doctrine, actually magnifies God's grace by showing that salvation depends entirely on divine initiative rather than human merit or decision.

The work has remained influential as an accessible introduction to Reformed soteriology for evangelical audiences, particularly those encountering these doctrines for the first time. Sproul's clear prose and systematic approach have made complex theological concepts understandable to lay readers, while his pastoral tone seeks to demonstrate that predestination should comfort rather than disturb believers.

Who should read this: Christians curious about Reformed theology or struggling with questions about divine sovereignty and human responsibility will find Sproul's careful biblical exposition helpful, though those already convinced that predestination contradicts human freedom may find his arguments unpersuasive.