Reprobation and God’s Sovereignty: Recovering a Biblical Doctrine
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
God’s right to judge humanity is written on the very fabric of human existence.
The doctrine of reprobation—that is, the eternal, unconditional decree of God for the non-elect—is frequently misconstrued in both pastoral and theological literature. In Reprobation and God’s Sovereignty, Peter Sammons reintroduces this oft-misunderstood doctrine, revealing its relationship to divine sovereignty. With Romans 9 as a guiding text, Sammons presents a thoroughly researched defense of reprobation as an essential part in a Reformed theology that magnifies God and encourages believers to trust in him.
Reprobation and God’s Sovereignty clearly defines and demonstrates from Scripture the foundational terms and doctrines required for properly understanding reprobation, such as:
- God’s justice
- Election
- Compatibilism
- Secondary causality
- Preterition
- Predamnation
Understanding these theological ideas proves vital to answering life’s all-important question, “Who is God?” Sammons shows how the doctrine of reprobation leads to a greater admiration for God, eliciting higher praise, reverence, and belief in him.
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Reintroduces this oft-misunderstood doctrine
- Explores the relationship to divine sovereignty
- Defines and demonstrates from Scripture the foundational terms and doctrines required for properly understanding reprobation
Top Highlights
“In summary, preterition is a negative decree in which God passes over, or rejects someone. Predamnation is a positive decree in which God determines to hold individuals responsible.” (Page 123)
“The intention of this book is to help faithful Christians understand reprobation properly and to help them recognize and establish the role of secondary causes.” (Page 15)
“Second, God’s Word—not history, emotions, logic, or philosophy—is the ultimate authority on this subject” (Page 17)
“God’s decree is ultimately the execution of his will to plan all things before they come to pass.” (Page 20)
“the primary objection raised by non-Calvinistic critics relates to the doctrine of reprobation” (Page 14)
- Title: Reprobation and God’s Sovereignty: Recovering a Biblical Doctrine
- Author: Peter Sammons
- Publisher: Kregel
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Pages: 296
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Providence and government of God › Biblical teaching; Reprobation
- ISBNs: 9780825447433, 0825447437
- Resource ID: LLS:RPRBTNGDSBDCTRN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:46:51Z
Reviews
2 ratings
Michael
1/17/2026
There are many hours of study behind this work even if you disagree with him. This is a teaching that distorts God's love and character to the extreme. Read it yourself: "However, what people seem to struggle with the most is the idea that God has determined who will be instruments of justice before the foundation of the world, that God has decreed who will be vessels of justice prepared for justice before they are ever born, before they commit any evil acts…" According to this teaching, there is absolutely nothing a man can do but hope he is one of the “elect” and wait for God to save him. It is precisely this doctrine of reprobation that opened my eyes to reject Calvinism. No, this is not the God who did the impossible to save sinners like me.David Taylor, Jr.
3/22/2022
Reprobation is a term often misunderstood and misused. It is a term that is full of emotions being the other side of predestination. The damnation of real people who are not of the elect of God. It is a tough doctrine but one that must be carefully studied and understood. When properly understood, it gives glory to God as we see his majesty in his holiness and justice. But what about the human objections? What about the hardness of this doctrine? Peter Sammons has the answers in his new book Reprobation and God’s Sovereignty: Rediscovering a Biblical Doctrine. Sammons does an excellent job of explaining the doctrine of reprobation in great detail. He goes to great lengths to not only provide scriptural support, but also, painstakingly demonstrates through the history of the church exactly what this doctrine means and how it is to be used and understood. But he does not stop there. The doctrine of Reprobation has many emotions bundled with it that lead to objections of fatalism, or an unloving God, or a God who is actually the author of evil. Sammons takes these objections one by one and meticulously details the proper responses to these objections that are largely unfounded and purely emotional pleas. The book is full of excellent footnotes that provide readers many sources to further explore the doctrine and objections. Sammons also includes appendixes that show the detail of what is contained within the covers of the book with scriptural support and arguments. Also included are topics and areas for further study as you go deeper into this doctrine and the doctrines that connect to Reprobation. The book is an easy read and enjoyable, not overly technical. I give this book five out of five stars for excellent research, great sources, wonderful exposition, and easy readability. This book is a must have for anyone studying the topic of salvation. I was given a copy of this book free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. https://reformedtruths.com/2022/03/21/book-review-reprobation-and-gods-sovereignty/