Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 06:17 (Mar 2002)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

CTJ 6:17 (March 2002) p. 121

Book Reviews

Still Sovereign by Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware (eds.), Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2000, 356 pp., paperback, $19.99

Soteriology is no easy doctrine to grasp if for no other reason than our finite minds have to wrestle with harmonizing human responsibility and divine sovereignty. In addition, terms such as “prevenient grace,” “particular grace,” and “saving faith” do not appear in the Scriptures. Still Sovereign takes on these issues and comes out a winner.

This work was originally published in two volumes in 1995 under the title The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will. However, some of those chapters were omitted in the 2000 edition (p. 11). Contributors include D. A. Carson, Jerry Bridges, Wayne Grudem, J. I. Packer, and John Piper. Subtitled Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace, the book is divided into three portions: Biblical Analysis, Theological Issues, and Pastoral Reflections. The third section covers God’s sovereignty as it relates to Christian living, prayer, evangelism, and preaching. The three indeces are beneficial to the reader: subject, persons, Scripture.

The description on the back cover states: “…thirteen scholars write to defend the classical view of God’s sovereignty.” The happy result is an emphasis on His majesty and power. Most every chapter concludes with a doxology of thankfulness and praise. “Ours is a culture in which the tendency is to exalt what is human and diminish what is divine” (p. 11). This sad but true statement is just one among many found in the preface and introduction. The introduction is likewise helpful in delineating the authors’ motivations, viewpoints, and previews of the chapters. For example, “While many think that a strong view of God’s comprehensive sovereignty rules out human responsibility, we

CTJ 6:17 (March 2002) p. 122

believe the Scriptures make clear that both truths must be held” (p. 11).

The editors are to be commended for these additional direct and perceptive declarations. They affirm that Arminianism works “to weaken the church of Jesus Christ” (p. 16). On the other hand, they admit there are questions Calvinism cannot satisfactorily answer (Why does God allow suffering if He is sovereign?, If God’s grace is irresistible, then what happens to human free will?, etc.; pp. 18, 19). “Some pastors believe in divine sovereignty but do not think that the doctrine should be preached, since it is controversial. This is a tragic mistake…” (p. 22) Preachers use the same excuse for not preaching prophecy.

Although the Westminster Confession is occasionally examined, the focus of the work ...