Our Sovereign God: Knowing and Serving the Lord of All

by James Montgomery Boice (Editor)

The doctrine of God's sovereignty is particularly dear to Reformed believers--and with good reason. As Bible teacher Donald Grey Barnhouse said, the significance of this doctrine surpasses all others. Yet do we truly understand what God's sovereignty means and how it ought to impact our lives? While remaining broadly accessible, this little book goes deep in its discussion of God's sovereignty and its implications. Noted theologians R.C. Sproul, J. I. Packer, John Stott, and others discuss the sovereignty of God the Son, the importance of knowing our sovereign God, and what God's sovereignty means for prayer, evangelism, the church, and even our attitude. The fifteen readings in this book have stood the test of time and will bring insight and encouragement to readers today.

200 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2023

About the author

James Montgomery Boice was a Reformed theologian, Bible teacher, and pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1968 until his death in 2000. He was also president and cofounder of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, the parent organization of The Bible Study Hour on which Boice was a speaker for more than thirty years.

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does Reformed theology really say about the sovereignty of God? In Our Sovereign God, P&R presents 15 outstanding essays on knowing and serving the Lord of all.

Jesus is Lord

Edited by James Montgomery Boice, this was the first book to appear as a result of the 1974 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Originally published in 1977, this 200-page book remains a treasure.

The book begins with John Stott proclaiming The Sovereignty of God the Son. It is an excellent introduction to the book and a beautiful education on what it means when we say that Jesus is Lord.

Knowing God

I was fascinated to read on God’s Sovereignty and Old Testament Names for God by Stuart D. Sacks. Elohim (the strong one), El Shaddai (the stable one), adonai (divine ownership), Yahweh (the only true name), tzebaoth (Lord of hosts), Messiah/Immanuel (God with us) are covered. I was moved to worship and inspired to incorporate these titles in my relationship to God.

J. I. Packer contributes a fitting entry on Knowing God. He summarizes redemption history, revelation in writing, and reception by individuals are critical components. He concludes that Scripture is essential to knowing God. Ralph L. Keiper furthers this thought, tracing and explaining how Calvin saw lovingkindness, justice, judgment as crucial in knowing God the Father. This book speaks of God’s sovereignty at a personal level.

Confidence in Our King

On Discerning the Will of God, I was comforted to read R. C. Sproul say that “God does not expect us to be able to penetrate into his secret counsels. He does expect us to be diligent, responsible stewards of his Word and of the principles he sets down for discerning what is pleasing to him.” This book will bless you as you see God’s sovereignty over your life.

Towards the end of the book, Roger R. Nicole speaks on Optimism and God’s Sovereignty. I was challenged to have greater trust in the faithfulness of our savior. We can have confidence in our King, who controls all things for our good and for his glory.

I received a media copy of Our Sovereign God and this is my honest review.