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The Promises of God: Discovering the One Who Keeps His Word

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What Promises Can You Believe?

In The Promises of God, Dr. R. C. Sproul shows how God—the one true Promise Keeper—always keeps His promises. Drawing from his expansive theological background, Dr. Sproul addresses questions such as

· How do we know that God will fulfill His promises to us?

· What can we learn about God’s faithfulness as we wait for His promises to be fulfilled?

· What was the agreement God the Father had with Jesus before the beginning of the world?

· What does God’s covenant with Adam mean for us today?

· What common covenant do atheists and other non-Christians participate in with God?

· What does God’s covenant have to do with His forgiveness of our sins today?

· Why did Jesus have to die to complete God’s covenant with us?

God’s promises throughout history are the foundation for your relationship with Him. Here you will see how and why He keeps His promises to you, from now through eternity.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2013

375 people are currently reading
1084 people want to read

About the author

R.C. Sproul

691 books2,033 followers

Dr. 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 46 reviews
Profile Image for Faye.
308 reviews37 followers
October 7, 2022
This book explains so much!

I think I have learned more Theology from R. C. Sproul than I have from any other human. Like anyone else, I continue to grow and learn until I'm called home. I still have so many questions (most of which I don't even know the question yet) but every time I read a book by Sproul (or Pink or Packer or etc.) I learn much!
Profile Image for Lee Rubsam.
Author 22 books9 followers
May 14, 2019
While I would not classify myself as reformed, I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Mr. Sproul, a well-known reformed teacher. I loved his methodical, logical way of stating his case. And I learned a great deal. There was very little that I would disagree with theologically; he covered his presentation carefully with Scripture. He did not stretch the Scriptures to accommodate his wishful thinking, as so many teachers tend to do these days. While his teaching was meaty, it was also reader-friendly.

The title may be a bit misleading. This is not a book of promises, exactly. It is a thorough examination of the covenants of God and how He is by nature a covenantal God, as presented in the Scriptures, from a reformed perspective.

My horizons of understanding have been expanded through this rich teaching.
Profile Image for Valerie.
411 reviews16 followers
June 20, 2018
This book includes a study guide and questions at the end of each chapter which was a surprise. I didn’t work through each chapter that way, but I might sometime in the future.

I needed to be reminded of the promises of God, and Dr. Sproul did that. He reminded me of the unshakable covenants God has made. Man has failed in keeping up his end of the agreement time and time again, but God did not fail. He sent His Son, the second Adam, to fulfill all that was required of us. What a blessing!

I do not agree with every word in this book (e.g., Baptism as a replacement for circumcision), but there is much good in these pages. Here are a couple of quotes that were a blessing:

I believe that the hardest thing for people to grasp in the Christian faith is that salvation is of the Lord. It is God who saves. The story of Abraham leaves no doubt about this. Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, was born completely through the power of God. God brought the descendants of Abraham into the Promised Land. The book of Joshua is replete with references that the conquest of Canaan is the Lord’s work, not the work of the armies of Israel. It is supernatural, and so is God’s redemption of His people. - The Promises of God by R. C. Sproul, p. 138

Many people believe that election is based on actions that God foresees. However, Paul could not have been clearer — God did not foresee some difference in behavior between Esau and Jacob. Furthermore, what was there in the life of Jacob that might cause God to choose Jacob rather than Esau? Jacob was a liar, a supplanter, and a cheater from the beginning. But God gave the covenant promise to him so that His sovereign grace in salvation should be made manifest. — The Promises of God, by R.C. Sproul, p. 138

You will be encouraged to see in these pages that we serve a promise-keeping God.
58 reviews
June 14, 2020
I'm not sure I've ever read or heard the comparisons of the first Adam with the second Adam (Jesus) described so well. Sproul lays the foundation early in the book and then brings it home in the last chapter.
Profile Image for Josh.
613 reviews2 followers
September 5, 2013
This a book for which I have searched a good while. I have looked for a short, concise, clear, accessible introduction to covenant theology. Thanks to RC Sproul's The Promises of God, I have found such a book.

Sproul takes the reader from Creation to Consummation and shows how the covenant is at the heart of Biblical revelation. Sproul spends a chapter (or multiple) on each of the main covenants in Scripture: Redemption, Creation/Works, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenant. He also starts with a chapter explaining what a covenant is and finishes by highlighting how the covenants all point directly to Christ.

The Promises of God is released by publisher David C. Cook and, if I understand correctly, this book kicks off a series of books that Sproul and David C. Cook will be putting out with a unique format. The Promises of God is setup with a built in study guide at the end of each chapter. Where many books will offer questions to consider and further readings to pursue, or some books even have pretty in-depth study guides you can purchase separately or may be included at the end, this is the first book I have read with this type of built in study feature.

I am usually not too concerned with study guides to books. I do not know why but they usually do not interest me. It is the same thing with reflection or study questions included at the ends of chapters. It is not that I am against them or find them superfluous or anything of the sort. I am usually just uninterested. I cannot say the same for this book. The study guide is really cool! It is set up with an introduction, Scripture readings, a learning objective, quotation, detailed outline of the chapter, study questions, Bible study/discussion questions and suggested further readings. It is just a couple of pages, but it is extremely helpful for digesting the topic covered.

The chapters themselves are short and to the point. Sproul shares some anecdotes and expounds quite a bit on some points, but he is very straightforward and does not waste much time getting to the meat of the topics. While I enjoyed books like Sacred Bond and God of Promise, both were a bit advanced for a genuine newcomer to Covenant theology. The Promises of God is a great place to start for anyone seeking to understand the importance of covenant in interpreting Scripture and seeing the role of covenant in redemptive history.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley.com for review purposes.
7 reviews
September 26, 2023
This book is a really helpful analysis, at a high level, of the biblical covenants God has made with humanity throughout the course of redemptive history. I gave the book 4 stars, mostly because of the somewhat misleading title. I picked up the book looking for more of a devotional read through the various promises God makes to His people to encourage them throughout their Christian lives. Although you could argue that Sproul does this, the book should really be titled, "The Promises of God: Examining the Covenants of God." It's more of a biblical theology of covenants than a devotional read, and yet Sproul's writing is so accessible that I was able to incorporate it into my daily devotions and be encouraged all the same.
The final chapter alone, as a meditation on Christ, almost pushed me to 5 stars. Would recommend it to someone who reads a lot of books, but maybe not to people who feel they have limited reading time and energy.
661 reviews10 followers
October 10, 2017
Sproul covers each of the covenant promises God made. The Creation, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and the New Covenant. The Creation covenant, sometimes called the Adamic Covenant is refered to as a covenant of works. Noahic covenant reminds us that 'if all restraints on the human heart are taken away, unspeakable evil begins to reign." The Abrahamic Covenant reminds us that the only way we get into the kingdom of God is by God us as righteous. Mosaic Covenant is an extention of the Abrahamic Covenant of Grace. the zenith of the Davidic Covenant is the birth of Christ. "Justification was by faith in the Old Testament, just as it is in the New Testament."
Profile Image for Wayne McCoy.
4,329 reviews32 followers
November 3, 2024
‘The Promises of God’ by R.C. Sproul, a renowned theologian and pastor, is a book that systematically lays out God’s faithfulness to us even in our unfaithfulness.

Sproul begins by establishing the biblical foundation of God's promises, from the very beginning of the Old Testament and on through the New Testament. He shows how they weave throughout history emphasizing the covenant relationship between God and humanity and how God's faithfulness is central to His promises. Each chapter ends with an outline and a study guide for further learning.

These are complex concepts, but Sproul makes them easy to follow. The subject builds on itself and Sproul handles it masterfully.
Profile Image for Tim Zornes.
151 reviews12 followers
April 27, 2020
A helpful introduction to Covenant Theology and an insightful perspective on God's faithfulness through the generations. Very quick and easy read, study guides and discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a great resource for small groups and discipleship meetings. Because it is geared towards more of a devotion or small group, the chapters break in really weird places, almost mid-thought and deliberately separated into parts. Makes straight-through reading somewhat cumbersome.
Profile Image for Barb Hegreberg.
896 reviews13 followers
April 19, 2022
What is a Covenant?

This is the best interpretation of the covenants that I have ever read. Sproul is gifted in asking and answering the questions that clearly lay out the biblical progression of God's promises (covenants) and what they mean for us today.

This book is good for individual or group study.
Profile Image for Vincent Richards.
70 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2023
This book is a great book about all God’s covenants that hHe has made with ma . Sproul does a great job explaining about how each covenant of the Old Testament was a foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus who would fulfill the covenant of works that was required for the forgiveness of our sins. Great book about how God always keeps His promises and never lies.
Profile Image for Jessica Sandfoss.
26 reviews1 follower
June 18, 2024
“I believe that the hardest thing for people to grasp in the Christian faith is that salvation is of the Lord. It is God who saves. The story of Abraham leaves no doubt about this. Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, was born completely through the power of God. … It is supernatural, and so is God’s redemption of His people.”
Profile Image for Kimberly Newman.
170 reviews9 followers
September 16, 2018
In depth study

I always enjoy R. C. Sproul's books. They are packed with the meat of the word. If I find my mind wandering for even a moment, I must go back and reread what I missed because it doesn't take long to miss a lot.
Profile Image for Dan Janke.
11 reviews
November 17, 2019
Sproul is a great communicator of big picture ideas in the Bible. This book was especially helpful in understanding how Christ as the second Adam did everything for us that Adam failed to do in the garden. Christ fulfilled the covenant of works and now he is able to give us of the tree of life.
Profile Image for Angel Bunton-Miller.
78 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2022
studying to show myself approved

Lately my seek has been stronger than ever and so much being taught in ministry isn’t biblical. This book was an excellent resource for learning about the promises of God and how they were spelled out in the word for the believer.
71 reviews
May 19, 2023
Good Study

I definitely want to read this one again. The Promises of God has a great study guide at the end of each chapter that includes a section for discussion if the reader is in a group.
Profile Image for Greg Ellis.
92 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2023
Thought provoking

I enjoyed the book. It is not an easy read as it is written at a high reading level. It is an excellent study book with study notes, review questions, chapter outlines, and discussion questions. Written from a Reformed point of view.
Profile Image for Jan Norton.
1,925 reviews3 followers
November 13, 2023
Focuses on God’s Covenants

This is a study on the covenants of God, given to the lakes of Abraham, Moses , and David. It is written for more serious students of the Word, but not too scholarly that it cannot be understood.
Profile Image for Sean.
240 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2016
Wonderful book. Well written and takes complicated issues - such as the different covenants - and makes them understandable and accessible to the average reader.
Profile Image for James.
365 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2019
A clear and simple introduction to Covenant Theology.
Profile Image for David Franklin.
23 reviews
April 28, 2020
Very good walkthrough on the covenants. R.C Sproul is always brilliant in thorough explanation.
2 reviews
January 13, 2023
great book

Excellent material explaining how the Bible flows from cover to cover through the covenants God made with Him creation. I highly recommend.
34 reviews
March 3, 2023
Excellent

The author explains the various covenants and how they were types and shadows of the New Covenant. An excellent read.
6 reviews
September 10, 2022
Outstanding discussion of the Covenants

I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of this book. I was not very familiar with all the Covenants until reading this book. It is worth reading more than once to get the depth of what God did for us and all the meaning of the Bible from the beginning to the end…awesome read!!
Profile Image for Jill.
279 reviews
January 27, 2018
This was a really good introduction to the Biblical covenents. Highly recommended if your looking for some accessible theology.
Profile Image for Victor Gentile.
2,035 reviews67 followers
December 16, 2013
R. C. Sproul in his new book, “The Promises Of God” published by David C. Cook shows us Discovering the One Who Keeps His Word .

From the Back Cover: What Promises Can You Believe?

We hear a lot these days about promises. Most of the time, we focus on promises to each other, rather than on God’s promises. But as we all know, human promises fail time and again.

In The Promises of God, Dr. R. C. Sproul shows how God—the one true Promise Keeper—always keeps His promises. Drawing from his expansive theological background, Dr. Sproul addresses questions such as these:
· How do we know that God will fulfill His promises to us?
· What can we learn about God’s faithfulness as we wait for His promises to be fulfilled?
· What was the agreement God the Father had with Jesus before the beginning of the world?
· What does God’s covenant with Adam mean for us today?
· What common covenant do atheists and other non-Christians participate in with God?
· What does God’s covenant have to do with His forgiveness of our sins today?
· Why did Jesus have to die to complete God’s covenant with us?

God’s promises throughout history are the foundation for your relationship with Him. Here you will see how and why He keeps His promises to you, from now through eternity.

We make promises to each other however there are times when we cannot fulfill these promises. Most of us try to fulfill as many as possible while others fail miserably at keeping just a few. When God makes a promise it is to every person for all time only He calls it a covenant. In fourteen chapters, beginning with, “The Meaning Of Covenant” Dr. Sproul walks us through every covenant, what it meant when it was first made and what it means to us today. In Chapter Fourteen, “The Christ Of The Covenant” Dr. Sproul finishes by highlighting how the covenants all point directly to Christ. Each chapter is set up with a built-in study guide at the end. It is time we rooted ourselves firmly on the promises God has made. Not only will it give us a sense of security it will also provide us with the ability to reach out to others to give them the same security. ”The Promises Of God” is a must have book. It is a must have for you because you will read it once, stash it on your bookshelf and come back to it again and again for refreshing. It is a must have for your friends and family so that they can do the exact same thing. We all need to learn and understand and who better than Dr. Sproul to help us with that understanding. I recommend this book highly!

You can find “The Promises Of God” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/sp...

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from David C. Cook for this review. 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.”
Profile Image for Roger Leonhardt.
207 reviews6 followers
June 10, 2013
I have probably read a dozen Sproul books. Some are so good that they would be considered classics; others are good but do not have that extra something. This one is between the two categories but is still a great read.

Here Sproul takes us through the basics of Covenant Theology. The book is not so technical that it is hard to understand. Unlike most books on Covenant Theology, this one is very simple.

In each chapter, Sproul takes us chronologically through each Covenant that God made with man and shows how it fits with the New Covenant. There is one continuing story of what God has done for man. The covenants are just a progressive revelation of God's covenant with man. We also see what the New Covenant means and what it's relation to the Old Covenant is.

The covenants have always fascinated me. How does God relate to man? Why did God call for sacrifices in the Old Testament and how does that relate to Jesus? Why did God give us the law if we are saved by grace through the New Covenant? Sproul delves into these questions and more.

If there was a downside to this book, it would be that it is a little too simple. The problem I run into when studying Covenant Theology is there is no middle ground. There are introductions and there are academic works. This one fits the introduction category. The academic works tend to be too technical to totally comprehend but the introduction doesn't give you any new information to bridge the gap between the two.

Even with the simplicity, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. If you have done any extensive study on the covenants it may be too redundant. But if you are just starting out, this may be the book to get you started.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book, free of charge, from David C Cook and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews