Almighty over All

by R.C. Sproul Jr.

Christians desiring a better understanding of God's sovereignty will learn about the implications of God's strength and how it relates to this life and the life to come.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion

186 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Robert Craig Sproul, better known as R.C. Sproul, Jr., is a Calvinist Christian minister and theologian and is the son of R.C. Sproul, a noted Reformed theologian and founder of Ligonier Ministries.

Reviews

[Geoffrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm astounded to see so many positive reviews of this book. Are my fellow Christians really so blind, or such RC Jr fanboys, that they cannot see how blatantly heretical this book is? In Almighty Over All Sproul makes the case that:
● God is wrathful. God is some other stuff too but his most significant character trait is wrath.
● God's wrath is "glorious" and "beautiful."
● Prior to creation God had nothing he could demonstrate the glory and beauty of his wrath on.
● God creates the world to have something he could pour out his wrath on.
● Problem... God creates the world good. Nothing there is worthy of pouring out his wrath on.
● God needs sin to take out his wrath on, but none exists anywhere.
● God creates sin.
● No one sins, not even Satan, because their inclinations are only for good.
● God changes the inclinations of man and even Satan to desire to do sin.
● Their inclinations to sin are so powerful they really have no choice in the matter.
● Adam and Eve and Satan fall into sin.
● God gets to pour out his wrath on everyone and send them to eternal blazes.
● This gives God "glory."
● We should all "jump up and down" rejoicing when God sends sinners to hell.

To me this goes well beyond being heretical. It's blasphemous.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

God in the details. "Almighty over All: Understanding the Sovereignty of God" by R C Sproul Jr. I have never had a problem in believing in God. So, I have never asked whether there is a God or not. My question has always been, 'What kind of God?' Answering that question is not always easy and often reflects our experience of life. The problem with such as approach is that God becomes no bigger than your experience. In theory, books on theology should provide the answers we are looking for, but sometimes the academic nature of many such books loses the average reader in the religious jargon. Fortunately, Sproul has provided a book which addresses the same issues as the scholars but writes in a way which is accessible to the average reader. Questions are asked about whether could create a rock which even he could not lift or whether He ever contradicts Himself or is as strong or smart as he thinks He is. Having read the book: my mind was intellectually stimulated, my emotions were moved so I felt a greater love for my Creator, and - most importantly, I responded to God in worship. Loved it.

[Ken Orton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, it's not a bad book for a new believer or as the Bible says, one who takes milk and not ready for meat. You must understand though that Sproul comes to you as a reformed believer (Calvinist) and explains things through that window, even posting passages from the Westminster Confession of Faith at the beginning of each chapter. If however, you are seeking any of the answers to the difficult questions about the Bible or faith itself, you won't find it here. He uses time-tired reasoning, explanations and excuses for what seems to be conflicts, contradictions and errors. He really believes God wrote the Bible, not Paul, not John, but God and doesn't explain why. His explanation of John 2:19 is sketchy at best, saying a believer leaves the faith (as defined by Sproul) it's because the person was not really a believer anyway. The worst exclamation ever. It's like if one of your employees leaves because he is unhappy then he/she wasn't a good employee anyway. Ridiculous. I was looking for more and got less.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to read solid reformed theology

It was good to read a book in the reformed tradition that sets forth the truth of Scripture in such a plain way as RC Sproul does

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almighty Over All by R.C. Sproul Jr. is a series of essays addressing a spectrum of topics in terms of God’s Power such as: creation, history, rulers, details, Satan, and suffering. Only in the final chapters are redemption and sanctification addressed, reminding us that God is in charge not only in terms of 5 Points of Grace, but in terms of 5000 Points of Everything. The chapter, Not Almighty Over Himself answers the question, “can God make a rock so big He that he can not lift it.” Sproul answers not “yes” or “no” but, “why would God want to?” God is One. His will and character are not divided, but are in perfect harmony. His power as “Creator” is not at odds with His power as “Mover”. R.C. reminds us that God cannot do all things; but, rather, God does all His holy will. Certainly, God can not lie. Likewise, He cannot contradict himself. Creaturely morality and logic ‘work’ only secondarily because God’s logic is prior to man’s logic – He is originally Holy and Reasonable.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent, thought provoking book on the sovereignty of God. There were many parts that caused me to re-read more than once and to read the associated Scripture in support of his writing. I would not call it your "typical" Bible study type of book - it was much deeper than anything I have read or studied before. It increased my understanding. It was not a fast read for me because it made me put the book down to meditate on what I had read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to continue to go deeper in strengthening their faith. A friend lent me this book - I have it on my "shopping list" to purchase a copy for myself for rereading again.

[Vince Lanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book about 10 years ago, and at the time it was very interesting. Pastor Frazier's sermon this afternoon made me remember it. I'd like to read it again to see if it is as good as I remember it being but I can't find it. I must have loaned it out or given it away.
If any of my friend have this book and it is all marked up with my chicken scratch...give it back!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a resource for laymen to understand the main issues concerning God's sovereignty. The discussions of why God allows suffering, and how God is sovereign over humans' salvation while humans remain responsible for their decisions were especially good. The chapters are interesting and fast-moving.

[Jay Risner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely good

[Laura]

Almighty over All: Understanding the Sovereignty of God by R. C. Sproul Jr. (1999)

[Stacy Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is sovereignty? What does the Bible mean by God is sovereign? Is God truly sovereign over all things? If you are searching for the answers to these questions, you must read this book!

[Vinnie Santini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled on his treatment of the Fall! God causing Adam to have the inclination to evil is troubling at best. Much better treatment is David Burrell "creation and Freedom in Three Traditions".