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Little Black Books #1
Predestination
Have you ever wondered whether God gave Adam and Eve free will? Or what 'free will' even means? Have you ever wondered whether God influences us to make the decisions we make day to day? And if he does, how exactly he does it? Have you ever wanted to know what the Bible means when it says some are chosen or predestined? Is that good news or bad news for us? If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have probably wondered about these questions. In this Little Black Book on predestination, Scott Petty brings his trademark humour and clarity to a topic Christians often get tied in knots about. (85 pages) About Little Black Books A new series of books that get straight to the point on the topics that Christians always have questions about. Not too big, not too fancy, and not at all boring. LBBs are ideal for young Christians (ages 14-20+), but speak biblical truths applicable to any age range. About the Author Scott is the youth minister at Christ Church St Ives in Sydney, and loves the tricky questions young people ask about the Christian journey. He also loves his beautiful wife, Carolyn, his three energetic sons, racing bicycles, Italian coffee, food in general, rock‘n’roll and Apple computers, probably in that order.
88 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
4 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Scott Petty
19 books2 followersScott is the youth minister at Christ Church St Ives in Sydney, and loves the tricky questions young people ask about the Christian journey. He also loves his beautiful wife, Carolyn, his three energetic sons, racing bicycles, Italian coffee, food in general, rock'n'roll and Apple computers, probably in that order.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 23, 2013
This small book was a surprise. Through the years, I have probably read a dozen books on predestination, Some were good and some were terrible. This book will be in my top 5.
It is simply written, but very good at explaining a difficult subject. Many people get angry when discussing the subject of Predestination. They see it as unfair. Instead of a cruel and terrible thing, it should be looked on as beautiful.
God is God. If He isn't in control, then who is? Us? That would be scary. I heard someone say that if a mosquito can do something that is against God's control, it would have more power than God. By default that would make it God.
The definition of God means "One who is all powerful". Without His sustaining power, we would not even be alive.
Petty's book takes us through some very hard questions.
Does God control the future?
Does God choose who will be saved?
Is it fair if God choose one over another for salvation?
And many more...
Petty not only talks about our salvation, he shows how God is involved in all our lives. We can take comfort when we have problems, because we know God is in control. He works all things for the good of those who are called.
Does this not do away with freewill?
This is also discussed. We do not have absolute freedom, but compatibilist freedom. We make choices and God is sovereign at the same time. We may not understand it, but God is even in control of our discussions, but not in a way that he is the author of our sin. It is a mystery (like the trinity). We will never understand this side of heaven.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of Predestination. It makes predestination accessible to the person who has never tackled the subject.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*I received this book, free of charge, from Matthias Media and Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
It is simply written, but very good at explaining a difficult subject. Many people get angry when discussing the subject of Predestination. They see it as unfair. Instead of a cruel and terrible thing, it should be looked on as beautiful.
God is God. If He isn't in control, then who is? Us? That would be scary. I heard someone say that if a mosquito can do something that is against God's control, it would have more power than God. By default that would make it God.
The definition of God means "One who is all powerful". Without His sustaining power, we would not even be alive.
Petty's book takes us through some very hard questions.
Does God control the future?
Does God choose who will be saved?
Is it fair if God choose one over another for salvation?
And many more...
Petty not only talks about our salvation, he shows how God is involved in all our lives. We can take comfort when we have problems, because we know God is in control. He works all things for the good of those who are called.
Does this not do away with freewill?
This is also discussed. We do not have absolute freedom, but compatibilist freedom. We make choices and God is sovereign at the same time. We may not understand it, but God is even in control of our discussions, but not in a way that he is the author of our sin. It is a mystery (like the trinity). We will never understand this side of heaven.
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in the subject of Predestination. It makes predestination accessible to the person who has never tackled the subject.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
*I received this book, free of charge, from Matthias Media and Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2025
taking this to my Christian family's house at Easter time and reading it there sparked such aggressive debate that i had to take the book out of the room and wait for everyone to calm down.
i picked this book up at a camp with hopes that, as someone who thinks about and bothers people with my thoughts on predestination almost constantly, it would help me get my head around the concept.
that said, chapter 4 'that's not fair!' was definitely the most thought provoking one for me, but not particularly in a good way. maybe it's me and i don't have great enough understanding of all this, but a couple sentences really messed with me. ahem.
'God will have mercy on whom he has mercy, and compassion on whom he has compassion. he has every right to save none of us, since we all deserve hell because of our sins. surely God also has the right to show mercy to whom he wants.
...
don't take issue with God and his justice.'
er specifically that last sentence throws me off because i struggle to just not take issue with something that confuses me. i don't understand how that and free will can possibly coexist.
i also don't love the analogy of austin and his peaches, because in that scenario there was a tangible chance that austin would choose not to eat the peaches. however, in our case with God, there is no possibility of us straying from God's knowledge, because instead of gunning on things happening, he has 100% accurate foresight of our actions.
overall, there was some content that helped me out, but once it got to my burning questions, the same 'blind faith' advice i get given in every scenario was very apparent.
i picked this book up at a camp with hopes that, as someone who thinks about and bothers people with my thoughts on predestination almost constantly, it would help me get my head around the concept.
that said, chapter 4 'that's not fair!' was definitely the most thought provoking one for me, but not particularly in a good way. maybe it's me and i don't have great enough understanding of all this, but a couple sentences really messed with me. ahem.
'God will have mercy on whom he has mercy, and compassion on whom he has compassion. he has every right to save none of us, since we all deserve hell because of our sins. surely God also has the right to show mercy to whom he wants.
...
don't take issue with God and his justice.'
er specifically that last sentence throws me off because i struggle to just not take issue with something that confuses me. i don't understand how that and free will can possibly coexist.
i also don't love the analogy of austin and his peaches, because in that scenario there was a tangible chance that austin would choose not to eat the peaches. however, in our case with God, there is no possibility of us straying from God's knowledge, because instead of gunning on things happening, he has 100% accurate foresight of our actions.
overall, there was some content that helped me out, but once it got to my burning questions, the same 'blind faith' advice i get given in every scenario was very apparent.
July 4, 2017
This book did a great job in introducing the concept of predestination at an entry level. This is a subject that is too often obfuscated by emotional reactions and theological terminology that requires a dictionary to understand. The author did a great job in breaking down the complicated arguments that we often turn to and presents predestination in a digestible, easy to read way.
The only complaint I may have about the book is that it can get a bit too simplistic at times. It feels like the main audience is teenagers and those new to the faith, but it comes across a little bit too juvenile in some of the explanations. I could definitely see a teenager with higher intellect getting turned off by some of the language used, but perhaps that is my own problem and not necessarily a problem with the way the author wrote it.
This could be used to great effect in a youth group study series. I could even see it being used in an AWANA group as a supplemental resource if such a thing were allowed. I'd recommend it for anybody who wants a refresher on predestination, those new to the concept, and those who want to learn how to teach youth this important doctrine.
The only complaint I may have about the book is that it can get a bit too simplistic at times. It feels like the main audience is teenagers and those new to the faith, but it comes across a little bit too juvenile in some of the explanations. I could definitely see a teenager with higher intellect getting turned off by some of the language used, but perhaps that is my own problem and not necessarily a problem with the way the author wrote it.
This could be used to great effect in a youth group study series. I could even see it being used in an AWANA group as a supplemental resource if such a thing were allowed. I'd recommend it for anybody who wants a refresher on predestination, those new to the concept, and those who want to learn how to teach youth this important doctrine.
June 14, 2020
I think the little black book is written in a way to appeal to the younger generation and gives you a glimpse into the topic of predestination. I think this book is helpful in introducing the topic however I often feel topics like this can be interpreted differently for each person that reads it. It's a good way to open up a conversation about predestination, it doesn't necessarily give you the answer you want to hear but it does gives you answers. It would be better if it was a bit more in depth in the topic however it is a quick read version and straight to the point. I feel like it has given me a good perspective of predestination although I will still be looking at different arguments for predestination based on biblical evidence to come to my own conclusion on the topic.
February 21, 2019
I found this book very helpful, especially considering it's size! As a 30-something adult I found it really helped explain things and answer hard questions, but the writing style is such that teens would also be able to follow it. There's enough humor to keep it from feeling like an academic book, but the content is far from fluffy.
February 26, 2024
Not a bad book - well written good information aimed at teens (not the best book I have read on the topic), but this book helps us to trust in God's goodness and power and realise nothing cam prevail against God. Understanding this topic correctly should motivate us to choose obedience over temptation and to choose perseverance over sin.
May 5, 2020
Feels quite dated and definitely aimed at youth but think it misses the mark with the language and they will find it cringe-worthy. Clearly explained but gives little in the way of satisfying answers.
March 22, 2018
Predestination
Very simple and easy to understand despite a complex subject. Well illustrated and with examples. Highly recommended for young and old.
Very simple and easy to understand despite a complex subject. Well illustrated and with examples. Highly recommended for young and old.
May 9, 2020
Very narrow-minded and misses the mark completely. Totally contradictory to the true nature and charcter of God.
February 18, 2025
Super helpful in understanding how God and our human freewill co-exist and very useful!!
February 25, 2025
This book helped me a lot with thinking through predestination and definitely will help you if your struggling with the idea.
August 10, 2022
These are just such good books. Super easy read, with simple language that still explains the topic really well. The book realised it’s dealing with a tough topic, but doesn’t let that stop it from speaking truth! Scott Petty obviously loves God and has a high view of Scripture. Everything was backed up by scripture (and I really like that the passage is printed in the book, which means there’s no excuse to not read it). Everything about this book is incredible, maybe a little more complicated then the other topic in the series, but still super digestible.
January 23, 2012
A pretty good effort to tackle a massive theological issue in a very short, youth friendly way. Petty is honest about the hard questions about the difficult topic and argues consistently from the bible, presenting the reformed view of predestination. Being a book for teenagers, the stories are light hearted and the humour is corny! Gets straight to the point in every chapter (doesn't have much room to play with, only 84 half sized pages) which is refreshing. I felt like I had helpfully grappled with the issue without needing to wade through long dense pages of theology. Arriving at any sort of mature conclusion regarding predestination is the work of years (decades?) rather than a single short book, but this is a helpful and versatile introduction.
February 13, 2023
Finished on January 8 and because a young friend asked about predestination read it again with them and finished again October 14 - same issues I had and with theses books in general too brief to be of great value, but I guess it is a good starting point. Possibly better to look elsewhere, but it did point me to Erickson so there was good there!!
November 23, 2012
A clear, simple presentation of predestination. This would be great for high schoolers or new believers. Entertaining (bordering on cheesy occasionally) and theologically solid.
February 3, 2013
A great book for young adults looking into this subject.
April 26, 2013
Very readable; sound biblical exposition; would connect very well with a younger reader
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews