Book Review

"Essential Truths of the Christian Faith" (R. C. Sproul). After so many disappointing books from the library, I was glad to find this one. I was certain Sproul would deliver, and he does, even from the preface! There he presents ten Biblical reasons that every Christian is a theologian. He holds nothing back as he says "theological errors are sins" (page xix).

The rest of the book is organized into brief theological topics. There are 102 topics, each about two pages. This makes it easy to pick up and put down. It doesn't read like a novel, but covers all the important points.

This book (or one very much like it) should be required reading for everyone who claims they are a Christian. I imagine a great many would find themselves on fire for the Lord like never before after reading it. Many more would likely stop calling themselves Christians...

I agree one hundred percent with Dr. Sproul on every point, save one. Point 98, page 275 ("The Return of Christ"). He takes a stand for a post-tribulation rapture. I lean more towards the dispensational view (as I've said before). This is due to attempts to harmonize the two different "comings" described in the Bible:

• The "Thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3 and 16:15). Makes it clear that no one will know the time that Jesus comes.
• The "great and terrible" day of the Lord (Acts 2:20, the bowl judgments of Revelation, Daniel's last week, etc). With powerful signs in heaven and "time, times, and half a time", the end will roll off like a calendar.

Sproul takes the position that these signs will be ignored for what they are. Certainly a possibility. Unfortunately, he does not go into great detail. I'm certain there are other books that cover this position.