Loved By God

Rating:
Summary: God's Eternal Love
Review: "Just as He is from everlasting to everlasting, so His love is also from everlasting to everlasting. His is not a fickle love that waxes hot and cold over time. His love has a constancy about it that transcends all human forms of love. Just as human beings often fall in love, they also often fall out of love. This is not the case with the love of God." - pg 24

The above quote taken from _Loved by God_ aptly summarizes the theme of Sproul's latest book. This book is not another pithy look at love in some whimsical sentimental sense. Rather, a deep look into scripture at the facets of God's love in all circumstances.

How can we say God is loving when Jesus says he was forsaken on the cross? How can we say God is loving when he clearly shows hatred to the wicked throughout the scriptures? How can we say God is loving when he says that "it pleased God to bruise Him (Christ)?"

RC addresses all of these issues and more. I highly rec'd this book to Christians of all stages in their spiritual pilgrimage. RC has a gift for making theology understandable, practical, and comforting.

Rating:
Summary: In Depth Exploration into God's Love
Review: First, I must admit that this book is the first R.C. Sproul book that I have ever read. In it, he gives a detailed analysis of God's love. He attempts to answer some very tough questions about God's love, that are worthy or exploration, such as does God really love everyone? Does God really hate certain people mentioned in specific passages of the Bible? and how does a God of love require the sacrifice of His own Son for the redemption of mankind?

Overall, R.C. Sproul does an excellent job "digging deeper" into the notion of the love of God. He uses numerous Bible passages, and takes a rather academic approach when presenting his points. By that I mean, that this book is not a "feel good" Christian book about how much God loves everyone. No, it goes much more in depth than that - which makes for a challenging and engaging read.

My favorite part of the book is Sproul's exposition about the love chapter found in 1 Corinthians 13. The purchase of this book is worth it for this section alone - it is very well done. I did have one complaint about the book, but it is more about Sproul's theology than anything. R.C. Sproul is a big believer in the concept of election and predestination. He spends a large amount of this book getting into this theory which I found distracting at times, and not totally believable.

Having said all that, I do recommend this book for any Christian searching for a deeper understanding about God's love. This book will challenge, and hopefully expand your comprehension about this topic.

Rating:
Summary: A good intro to Theology Proper
Review: I must be honest: I bought this book for the CD that came with it (which is a decent 17 minute intro to the book). Sproul appraoches the task of exploring God's love with humility and hopes that this book will "be a springboard for a lifelong pursuit of this love."

The overall rating is A-. The first three chapters were loaded with deep, heavy thought concerning the nature of God, and interacts with differing modern views that examine this concept. I respectfully differ with one reviewer concerning the chapter on election--I basically agree with Sproul. He delivers the basic Calvinist challenge on Romans 9. However, he does leave several questions that need to be answered. The next two or three chapters were ok; they were not the best that Sproul is capable of, thus the 4 star rating. His chapters on our love for one another are pretty good and worth a read.

Final Analysis.
THis book is a good, solid "intro" to the love of God. It is not the most exhaustive treatise on divine love, nor was it intended to be. This is a book from which the beginning and advanced student can profit from. It is overall well-written with only a few chapters that leave some to be desired. Also, the CD is an added bonus to the book

Rating:
Summary: A good intro to Theology Proper
Review: I must be honest: I bought this book for the CD that came with it (which is a decent 17 minute intro to the book). Sproul appraoches the task of exploring God's love with humility and hopes that this book will "be a springboard for a lifelong pursuit of this love."

The overall rating is A-. The first three chapters were loaded with deep, heavy thought concerning the nature of God, and interacts with differing modern views that examine this concept. I respectfully differ with one reviewer concerning the chapter on election--I basically agree with Sproul. He delivers the basic Calvinist challenge on Romans 9. However, he does leave several questions that need to be answered. The next two or three chapters were ok; they were not the best that Sproul is capable of, thus the 4 star rating. His chapters on our love for one another are pretty good and worth a read.

Final Analysis.
THis book is a good, solid "intro" to the love of God. It is not the most exhaustive treatise on divine love, nor was it intended to be. This is a book from which the beginning and advanced student can profit from. It is overall well-written with only a few chapters that leave some to be desired. Also, the CD is an added bonus to the book

Rating:
Summary: great book for the confused
Review: This is an awesome book for those who are troubled or confused about the justice, mercy, love and "hate" of God. It also explains passages such as God "desiring all men to be saved" or how can God hate others under reprobation. This is, ironically, one of the best defenses of the Reformed or Calvinist faith. Sproul is such and outstanding teacher, and he explains these difficult concepts using the historical church as well as a careful examination of Scripture to back his claims. This book sinks into your pysche, and after reading it, you will think of the contents well after this book goes paperback. Does Sproul speak infallibly ex cathedra on matters of faith? Sometimes i am convinced he does. Easy to understand, this book is a winner for layman, students, and clergy.

Rating:
Summary: great book for the confused
Review: This is an awesome book for those who are troubled or confused about the justice, mercy, love and "hate" of God. It also explains passages such as God "desiring all men to be saved" or how can God hate others under reprobation. This is, ironically, one of the best defenses of the Reformed or Calvinist faith. Sproul is such and outstanding teacher, and he explains these difficult concepts using the historical church as well as a careful examination of Scripture to back his claims. This book sinks into your pysche, and after reading it, you will think of the contents well after this book goes paperback. Does Sproul speak infallibly ex cathedra on matters of faith? Sometimes i am convinced he does. Easy to understand, this book is a winner for layman, students, and clergy.