Renewing Your Mind: Basic Christian Beliefs You Need to Know

by R.C. Sproul

To be renewed in mind involves thinking beyond the way the world does, and R. C. Sproul shows us how this transformation works. It means believing the very essence of Christian thought and faith, which is summarized in the Apostles' Creed. To lead readers toward renewing their minds, R. C. Sproul follows the outline of the creed while presenting the theology that you, and your congregation, need to know.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

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

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: When a person embraces the Christian faith and says with assurance, "I believe...," that person has truly embarked upon life.

In The Prayer of the Lord, R.C. Sproul provided commentary on the Lord's Prayer. In Renewing Your Mind, R.C. Sproul provides commentary on the Apostle's Creed. Sproul walks believers--whether new or old--through each line of the ancient creed.

It is a thoughtful introduction or reintroduction to the essentials of the faith. These beliefs--these doctrines--form the core of Christian belief and should inform our practice. These doctrines should renew our minds as we grow in the faith.

R.C. Sproul writes, "This book is about living that life to the fullest, about renewing your mind so that your thinking conforms to the mind of Christ. Our spiritual creation in Christ inaugurates an intellectual and emotional creation, but does not complete it. Some old thought patterns and philosophical assumptions remain. To deal with those we need to move our metaphor of the Christian life from the nursery to boot camp. Now comes basic training in righteousness, the hard work of truth calisthenics to develop strong, disciplined faith muscles."

I would recommend this one! Here are some of my favorite quotes:

The Holy Spirit does not call us to faith in general, but to faith in particular--to faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. (19)
Healing and prosperity are not God's purposes in "I believe..." faith. They are not God's promises. In fact, the Bible promises over and over that Christians will suffer many things. Suffering allows us to share in the humiliation and suffering of our Lord; pain makes us more effective witnesses and more mature lovers of God, dependent on him for strength. (23)
We came from somewhere significant and we are headed toward a destination of importance. (55)
The only basis for Christian hope lies in the believer's participation in the Man of Sorrows and Christus Victor--the triumph of Christ. (115)

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book dealing with the theology of the Apostles' Creed. Many times the book takes on an apologetic nature, defending Biblical truths unpacked in the Creed against the challenges brought by modern liberal theology. The book shows its date in a number of these instances. Overall, very helpful for someone wanting a better grasp of basic orthodox Christianity.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book...and his writings....so inspirational and explains so much!

[Rod Innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. It is an exposition of "The Apostles' Creed". It is a great explanation of basic Biblical doctrine.

[Samuel Ho · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry and too scholarly for me at times, but I think it serves its purpose well in giving the Christian a consolidated rundown of things that are central to the faith.

[Ann A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic in my way of thinking. I believe Sproul to be the most important reformed theologian of our day. While he is often "over my head", I find that he helps me increase my knowledge of orthodox Christianity and helps me to narrow the very wide gap between our intellects. In other words he raises my understanding. This book is, as the title indicates, basic and he is quite eloquent in his explanations.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began this book but never finished it, need to do so it is a good book form what i did read.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

R. C. Sproul explains Christianity in a line-by-line, in-depth analysis of the Apostles Creed. Good stuff!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

very good breakdown of the apostles creed.