R. C. Sproul. What We Believe: Understanding and Confessing the Apostles’ Creed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2015. 224 pp. $13.00.
R. C. Sproul is a household name among reformed evangelicals, and perhaps simply among evangelicals. For years, his books have encouraged, challenged, and at times provoked reformed and non-reformed believers alike. Whether readers are of Sproul’s theological persuasion or not, his works are valuable, rational, and clear.
In this 4th edition of What We Believe, Sproul rereleases one of his foundational books on the basics of Christian doctrine. Formerly released as Renewing Your Mind, this work is a systematic and sequential walk through the Apostles’ Creed.
As I read this book, I found myself encouraged by Sproul’s simple and clear handling of theological concepts such as faith, trinity, Christology, and the church. Since we were in the Christmas season as I read this, I particularly found Sproul’s treatment of the importance of the virgin birth of Christ and the proper view of Mary to be solid reminders of valuable truths.
I also found this writing to be one of Sproul’s most gentle. He certainly does not compromise on any theological truth in the work. Yet, he is not riding any personal, theological hobby horses. For example, though Sproul’s eschatological views are strong enough for him to have written an entire book, he did not use this work to insert any of his nuances into the affirmation that Christ will return.
What We Believe would make a fine book for use in Bible study, either home-based or Sunday School. It is simple, but the truths in this book are foundational. It is Sproul, so the occasional Latin phrase will work its way into the text, but the concepts are still quite readable and understandable for people who come to the book from a variety of backgrounds.
Note: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher.
Pastor Travis Peterson 