Willing to Believe: Understanding the Role of the Human Will in Salvation
Overview
What does an individual contribute to his or her own salvation? Does God wait on the doorsteps of our hearts, quietly hoping to be let in when we decide to open the door? Or does he call us and pursue us in a way we can't resist? The debate between the irresistible call of God and a human being's free will has raged for centuries. So what is the answer? And why does it matter?
In Willing to Believe, R. C. Sproul uncovers issues that provoked the Reformation and revived the controversy between Pelagius and Augustine. He carefully explores the relationship between original sin and human free will, clarifies misconceptions about the work of God in a believer's liberation from sin, illuminates the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, and offers compelling reasons to believe the work of salvation is in God's hands.
- Presents a thoughtful account of God's calling in the process of salvation
- Examines the history surrounding the Reformation and argues against common misconceptions
- Introduces readers to answers to difficult questions surrounding a biblical view of salvation
- Introduction: Evangelicalism and an Ancient Heresy
- We Are Capable of Obedience: Pelagius
- We Are Incapable of Obedience: Augustine
- We Are Capable of Cooperating: Semi-Pelagians
- We Are in Bondage to Sin: Martin Luther
- We Are Voluntary Slaves: John Calvin
- We Are Free to Believe: James Arminius
- We Are Inclined to Sin: Jonathan Edwards
- We Are Not Depraved by Nature: Charles Grandison Finney
- We Are Able to Believe: Lewis Sperry Chafer
- Title: Willing to Believe: Understanding the Role of the Human Will in Salvation
- Author: R. C. Sproul
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2018
- Pages: 240
- Christian Group: Evangelicals
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Theology
R. C. Sproul (1939– 2017) was a respected teacher, theologian, pastor. He was the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries where he served as executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary. He taught at several colleges and seminaries including Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He served as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, in Sanford, Florida. Sproul’s teaching can be heard daily on the ‘Renewing Your Mind’ radio broadcast which plays in over 40 countries.
Sproul wrote over 70 books and articles including the classic The Holiness of God and several theological articles in Tabletalk magazine.