The hunger for significance

by R.C. Sproul

Explores the human cry for dignity, significance, love, and respect. Touches the aching void in the home, school, church, workplace, hospital, and prison. Foreword by Charles Colson.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Psychology, Philosophy

275 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

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.

Reviews

[C.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading half way through the book, I am sorry to say that I decided not to finish the book. It is definitely written superbly and a very enjoyable read. It inspected deeply into various aspects of our needs of significance and dignity. However... at least until the midway through, the book seems to only focus on exploring the issue, rather than making any tangible arguments or conclusions of its own. I was more interested in the latter, and after quickly flipping through the book, I felt this book wouldn't serve my need. But I am glad to have met R.C. Sproul through this book. A very intelligent and cleaver writer he was.

[Tim Zornes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Nothing special. Sproul's desire for people to live to their full measure of Imago Dei is clear. He alternates between anecdotal stories and simple explanation passages. Not a lot to walk away with here, his handling of Marxism was a bit soft. Though I'm sure if he wrote it today, would be much firmer.

[Justin Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book more patience than it deserved. If it weren't for a loyalty to the friend who gifted me this book, I don't think I would have made it past the first two chapters to eventually finish. Expectations of what this book would be about were elusive, almost incompletely stated as Sproul seems to jump headfirst into whatever he's talking about and relies too heavily on the section headers of his chapters to justify the abrupt change of topics, anecdotes and arguments that did not make for a cohesive read. The insights of the beginning chapters seemed elementary - though perhaps I am not the target audience - and unfortunately came off as irrelevant to the collective whole of the book. Whatever he was attempting to set up falls flat due to the acrobatics of his writing style.

The book recovers starting chapter three where the conversation around dignity comes into focus and the following chapters look to different spheres of life and how dignity is corrupted and should be pursued. My attempt at a better title for this book is "Call of Dignity: Soul and Society", excluding the beginning chapters. I much more enjoyed the sociological analysis of dignity, including the deep dive into economic philosophy and the history of the labor movement. I'm disappointed because Sproul is a renowned speaker but as for this written work, he does not set up or wrap up his work in a way that feels satisfactory.

[Courtney Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Im glad I didn’t stop reading this book. Once I understood the premise, once he got through the intro and his own testimony, it made a lot more sense. If you’re looking for a book with a single arc and one particular thesis telling the reader what and how to think, this is not the book for you. I would liken this book to a series podcast on dignity/significance - each episode (chapter) addresses dignity in a different area of life: dignity in the home, dignity in prisons, dignity in the church, dignity in school etc. Instead of presenting a one-sided argument for one player in that realm, Sproul steps into each player’s shoes and addresses their perspective and their own feelings around their dignity. For example, in the school, he talks about the teacher’s perspective, student’s perspective, and how each can threaten the others’ dignity, etc. At the end of each chapter, he asks open-ended philosophical questions pertaining to each topic - none of which leading to a particular opinion. He asks your opinion and then asks, “Why? Or why not?” I appreciate this so much. It’s an exercise in empathy we could all do a little more of.

All that to say, I enjoyed stepping into the shoes of so many people and working to understand the threats to or opportunities for dignity in each perspective.

[Diego Laracuente · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. I would recommend this book in correlation with the book “knowing Scriptures” to have a good foundation in our life as Christians. Knowing Scriptures gives us a foundation for understanding, knowing and studying Scriptures in a correct manner, while this book teach us how to live in our world based on the Scriptures. With both books you have a foundation in two areas of our life that unite, orthodoxy and praxis, knowing and living. My only critique of the book is the fact that in some areas it lacks development of ideas in some particular points.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half, I learned a lot from it and enjoyed how he wrote it. The 2nd half seemed to be drier to me and I just couldn't keep up with it. I didn't think he really answered the topic fully. But most of it was good. It did remind me to treat everyone with respect and be more caring to individuals because everyone is made in the image of God and wants to feel loved and respected.

[Bfleegs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping that this book would be a biblical theology of the image of God in man, and was at first disappointed to find that it was more meditative than theological. However, once I understood the distinction, I found the book to be helpful in terms of the practical outworking of the image of God in man, though the doctrine itself was not often discussed. Sproul examines v the various aspects of life and how they should be affected by the fact that man bears God's image.

[Andrew Moreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to R.C. Sproul and I do enjoy his style and simplicity. This book is a bit of an odd rambling of all areas of life and addresses life as a whole instead of a book honed in on discussing significance in it. From communism to childhood traumas and the power of words, it's a book that has a bit of everything.

[Tom Talamantez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every person has a hunger for significance. A thirst for love and dignity, to be respected, a feeling for self-worth, to know that others value you. Whether you are man, woman or child, you feel these desires in your soul. Recognition of this condition and how to engage is how this book will impact you. A lyric in a Keith Green song says "the end of all my prayers is to care like my Lord cares." If that is a true desire, then this book will put people in perspective for you and through biblical example, show you a path to this end. I believe it starts with how we determine who people are? Are they the sum of their accomplishments or possessions or do they have an inherent value because they are people created in God's image? One reason I really like this book is because I firmly believe that people come into our lives for a reason, whether they are a companion, a friend, a coworker or a brief engagement on the elevator, every encounter is an opportunity to build up, to edify, to feed that hunger for significance. Not an easy task by any stretch, but a worthy goal that becomes easier in the process of sanctification.

As we live in a goal oriented society, we tend to admire achievements and success, often measured by wealth or status. We have heroes and mentors and role models that will help us become better and those are all good things, but what about those left behind? The book does a great job of giving specific examples where we can see the practical application of satisfying hunger and restoring dignity. Dignity in the hospital, dignity in prisons, dignity in the church, dignity in the orphanage, dignity in the home, dignity in marriage and so on. From our most intimate relationships to our casual encounters, we are daily given the opportunity to contribute to the dignity of others. If you read the book, I would encourage you to ponder the questions at the end of each chapter and jot down some answers to them in your journal. The answers may help you realize things about yourself and how you feel.

Lastly I will say that sometimes this is a challenge because we ourselves feel broken. We feel like we have nothing to offer, we feel that we are in need of encouragement, restoration and building up. Perhaps we have had bad experiences that prevent us from being open, being trusting or achieving intimacy and these not only hinder our growth, but hinder our engagements with others. Well I know that everyone's experience is different, but I can tell you that in regards to my personal need for healing and restoration, this book helped put things into a proper perspective, a God perspective. Not that I was magically fixed, but that I could move forward on the healing path with a correct understanding of who I am and who I am going to be. If you can get there, you can forgive, and if you can forgive, you can heal, and if you can heal, you can grow, and if you can grow, you can live out the victory God has planned for you. The journey may be long, but worth making and I can personally assure you that the ability to forgive, love and trust will be realized. (This review is a 2014 update on my 2006 book review).

[Jude Cooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, what an awesome read from the writings of Dr. R.C. Sproul. Here Dr. Sproul engages something that is at the heart of all who seek meaning and purpose in their life. I suppose that's about everyone! In it he writes of how we all need to feel self worth along with a feeling that we are not ignored. He goes on to say that we all, no matter where our walk in life, desire to feel that we are needed. This desire for self worth is like our need for oxygen, we thrive on it every day, and how true that is. Can we hope to fill these spaces completely? Without Christ, such is impossible!. Throughout this book Dr. Sproul examines the question of purpose and meaning. I would recommend this work to all who desire to feel a part of the human race. A most uplifting read, and very helpful to those who are in leadership; in that this read can aid a better understanding towards the encouragment of those who work under them. Very Christ centred from page to page.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while I come across a book that makes me stop and pause. Dr. Sproul pulls at the heart strings with such eloquence, humor, and authority that you cannot help but sit up and take notice. What is missing in our lives is human dignity. Not only does Sproul explain why it's missing (going all the way back to Karl Marx's idea that human worth could be measured in units of labor), but he points us back to our Maker so that we can recharge our souls. A beautiful work of art from one of the leading Christian philosophers of our day. A must read if you can read. Period.

[Eduardo Pimentel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

So much we need to think about recognizing and protecting the dignity in every person, and Sproul helps us understand what is in our hearts when looking for significance. This book has a very personal touch of RC.

[Jack Wilkie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title change from "In Search of Dignity" was incredibly misleading. I would not have picked that book up. I kept at it because Sproul's style is always enjoyable, but you aren't missing much if you don't read it.

[Ryan Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sproul does a great job of showing the practical implications of people being made in the image of God in serval situations including home, work, and church. For those well aquatinted with Sproul’s writing and lectures some will be familiar.