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Justified by Faith Alone
Luther said that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is "the article upon which the church stands or falls." R. C. Sproul follows Luther's lead in his concise and compelling work, now repackaged and republished. Justified by Faith Alone surveys the main tenets of the doctrine of justification in Roman Catholicism and evangelicalism. Sproul is careful to accurately represent Catholic beliefs and observes that while both traditions agree that faith is necessary for justification, the difference lies in whether faith alone is sufficient. He explores problems with the Catholic doctrine and champions the sole sufficiency of Christ for our salvation.
Effective and engaging, Sproul does not shy away from difficult theological terms and ideas, but capably guides readers through this famous doctrinal dispute. To those who decry the doctrines of imputation and justification by faith alone as "legal fiction," Sproul warns that nothing less than the central message of the gospel is at stake.
Effective and engaging, Sproul does not shy away from difficult theological terms and ideas, but capably guides readers through this famous doctrinal dispute. To those who decry the doctrines of imputation and justification by faith alone as "legal fiction," Sproul warns that nothing less than the central message of the gospel is at stake.
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First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
R.C. Sproul
667 books2,012 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 29, 2024
I've been re-examining some fundamental Christian doctrines, and I find R.C. Sproul's explanations of profound truths exceptionally clear and accessible. This was good.
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May 6, 2025I want to nail this book to the door of the Vatican.
January 7, 2018
It's very simple and straight-forward, and that was Sproul's strong point as a teacher. It also clearly highlights how irreconcilable protestants and papists are on this crucial point.
September 8, 2017
Although short, this pocket rocket lacks nothing in density. The Latin definitions tend to get distracting and do little to help in the exploration of topics. But overall a great read.
December 18, 2017
A great comparison between the Roman Catholic and Evangelical Protestant doctrines. Sproul clearly cites arguments and facts from both sides, in regards to "Sola Fide" in the Christian faith. Personally, it felt like I was reading a 50-60 page essay (which I enjoyed, and found engaging). I recommend this book to anyone who is interested learning more about the "Solas" of the Protestant Reformation.
October 18, 2017
Concise comparison between Catholic and evangelical dispute regarding sola fide. Thick, but Sproul writes clearly and it's easy to understand.
September 29, 2024
Helpful and clear exposition of the difference between the Reformed and Roman Catholic view on justification, with just as clear of a warning against modern reconciliation attempts between the two views.
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August 18, 2025Strongly worded – and deservedly so. A concise, useful resource for understanding the theological gulf between Protestants and Roman Catholics on justification, imputation of grace, the sufficiency of faith, and more. Five stars.
May 4, 2020
The Reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone is a glorious thing. Spending an entire book focusing only on the inglorious way Rome gets justification wrong is a fail.
Somebody needs to give narrator Sean Runnette a ten-minute lesson in Latin pronunciation. He kept running peccator with a city in Georgia, and I just couldn't even. 😆
Somebody needs to give narrator Sean Runnette a ten-minute lesson in Latin pronunciation. He kept running peccator with a city in Georgia, and I just couldn't even. 😆
September 15, 2011
In Justified by Faith Alone, R. C. Sproul describes the differences between the Roman Catholic church’s doctrine of justification and that of the evangelical church. This debate was central to the Reformation and yet the author says that it is commonly misunderstood.
After introducing the reader to the meaning of justification and explaining the importance of the debate, he proceeds to explain each of the two viewpoints and then provides further explanation of the Reformation arguments. I found this book – barely more than a pamphlet, really – to be quite interesting. I learned a great deal from it and my understanding of the topic was helped by it. I was pleased by the care with which Sproul explained both sides, avoiding a one-sided debate.
I should point out that this book is neither a light overview nor a Biblical study of the topic. It is much more focused on the historical than the practical and therefore uses numerous Latin phrases that had significance to the Reformers as well as upper-level English that many might find confusing.
Regardless, I am glad that I listened to the audiobook. The book was aided by the exceptional narration and recording quality. The narrator’s voice was warm and his enunciation was excellent.
If Latin and college-level English don’t bother you, I encourage you to listen to this audiobook. You won’t regret it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from the christianaudio Reviewers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
After introducing the reader to the meaning of justification and explaining the importance of the debate, he proceeds to explain each of the two viewpoints and then provides further explanation of the Reformation arguments. I found this book – barely more than a pamphlet, really – to be quite interesting. I learned a great deal from it and my understanding of the topic was helped by it. I was pleased by the care with which Sproul explained both sides, avoiding a one-sided debate.
I should point out that this book is neither a light overview nor a Biblical study of the topic. It is much more focused on the historical than the practical and therefore uses numerous Latin phrases that had significance to the Reformers as well as upper-level English that many might find confusing.
Regardless, I am glad that I listened to the audiobook. The book was aided by the exceptional narration and recording quality. The narrator’s voice was warm and his enunciation was excellent.
If Latin and college-level English don’t bother you, I encourage you to listen to this audiobook. You won’t regret it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this audiobook free from the christianaudio Reviewers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 21, 2024
Quick (and free!!) listen on spotify premium.
A great book on the comparisons between the protestant view on being justified by faith alone (sola fide) and the Roman Catholic view that faith + works (the sacraments & avoiding mortal sin) justifies.
Sproul also does a good job of explaining the reformers view that true salvific faith is not void of works. It’s not merely a proclamation. Saving faith is followed by sanctification which then leads to good works & spiritual fruit because faith without works is dead (James 2:17). But it is the faith, not the works, that justifies because Christ’s death on the cross is sufficient.
A great book on the comparisons between the protestant view on being justified by faith alone (sola fide) and the Roman Catholic view that faith + works (the sacraments & avoiding mortal sin) justifies.
Sproul also does a good job of explaining the reformers view that true salvific faith is not void of works. It’s not merely a proclamation. Saving faith is followed by sanctification which then leads to good works & spiritual fruit because faith without works is dead (James 2:17). But it is the faith, not the works, that justifies because Christ’s death on the cross is sufficient.
March 1, 2022
Sproul is a great writer and gifted at reasoning, which is why it's upsetting to see him make simple mistakes regarding Catholic doctrine early on that lead him to wildly incorrect views of Catholicism.
One such mistake is the name of the sacrament of reconciliation. He calls it the sacrament of penance, which is a colloquial name, but that then forms the basis of his insistence that doing the penance assigned is what forgives you your sins. AND THEN HE QUOTES THE COUNCIL OF TRENT SAYING THE PENANCE DOESN'T FORGIVE YOU, but he insists the quote actually says that penance does.
One such mistake is the name of the sacrament of reconciliation. He calls it the sacrament of penance, which is a colloquial name, but that then forms the basis of his insistence that doing the penance assigned is what forgives you your sins. AND THEN HE QUOTES THE COUNCIL OF TRENT SAYING THE PENANCE DOESN'T FORGIVE YOU, but he insists the quote actually says that penance does.
December 24, 2017
How we are justified is how we are saved. It is THE gospel issue. In this short but succinct book, Sproul compares and contrasts the Protestant/Reformed doctrine of justification with that of the Roman church. He then summarizes the Biblical teaching on justification, showing there is no room for compromise. This is a great book to give to a new believer, to a Roman catholic, or to anyone wanting a good start point to dig deep into the various doctrines of the faith.
November 23, 2019
This is a short book that lays out the differences between Justification as taught by the Roman Catholic Church compared to churches from the Protestant Reformation. While the author is a Protestant, I do think he was trying to accurately represent the Roman Catholic beliefs. He quotes Roman Catholic councils to support his teaching.
November 23, 2019
This is a short book that is easily read in one sitting. It is a comparison of Roman Catholic and Protestant views on Justification. The author is Protestant, but tries to accurately represent the Roman Catholic doctrine of Justification. As a Protestant, I realized that I was wrong about a few things Roman Catholics believed. Excellent little book!
December 16, 2017
This is a wonderful summary of the contrast between Rome and the Protestant view of justification. Lacks exegesis of key scriptural passages. Summarizes views rather than defending the Protestant view.
April 23, 2018
This little book talks about the not-so-little concept of justification, and presents the differences between the Roman Catholic’s and the Evangelicals’ doctrine of the said concept in a very clear and concise manner. Overall great book!
June 7, 2023
Sproul has a longer book on justification, which I haven't read, but this is an excellent primer particularly contrasting Protestant/Catholic views on justification. I found it very easy to understand. Great intro to the subject.
May 18, 2025
Great booklet in this series by R.C. Sproul! Sproul leans towards comparing Roman Catholic doctrine to Protestant doctrine. It's a comparison many might consider reading as for such a short book it gives great detail.
December 19, 2017
A concise, yet deep summary of the differences in doctrines of justification in Roman Catholicism and Reformed Christianity.
January 6, 2018
Great little booklet setting out the differences between the Catholic and Evangelical views on justification.
March 26, 2018
Two teachings on redemption ably compared.
August 15, 2019
Solid defense of reformed view of Roman Catholic. Technical. Audience for reformed.
December 31, 2019
A helpful comparison and exposition of the Roman Catholic and Protestant doctrines of justification and faith.
March 31, 2020
Solid!
July 16, 2020
Deep, Short informative and cut to the point. Good book to start if someone want to know the doctrine of justification in its reformed context.
March 13, 2023
I enjoy these tiny books by Sproul. They're easy to read quick breakdowns of the Reformed beliefs. Good refreshers to go along with meatier theology books or your daily Bible reading.
December 4, 2023
Pretty good overview of the Protestant view of justification with a good overview of Rome's views as well.
July 27, 2024
Only 50 pages and Sproul used over 10 Latin phrases.
June 5, 2025
Clear, concise and fair in his explanation’s of opposing views. Great little read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews