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Crucial Questions #27
What Can We Know about God?
Jesus said that knowing God is essential. The fact that God exists is obvious from creation, but in order to know who God is, we must learn what He has revealed about Himself in the Bible.
In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul explains what Scripture teaches about God’s nature, will, and attributes, presenting a glorious picture of the one true God—the God we are called to know, trust, and obey.
The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.
In this booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul explains what Scripture teaches about God’s nature, will, and attributes, presenting a glorious picture of the one true God—the God we are called to know, trust, and obey.
The Crucial Questions booklet series by Dr. R.C. Sproul offers succinct answers to important questions often asked by Christians and thoughtful inquirers.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2019
229 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Sproul
675 books1,992 followersDr. 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 2, 2021
One of the great theologians
What can we know about God is a question which must necessarily delve at least a little into a more basic question: Can we finite beings even know the infinite God? Of course we can, at least to a degree, because God has revealed some of himself to us. Mr. Sproul is of the opinion that we will not fully understand God even in heaven. Curiously this makes me happier about what life could be like in Heaven. If, when we arrive, all mysteries are revealed, all questions answered, what do we do for eternity? Do our inquiring minds which God gave to us cease to inquire? What a dismal prospect. How much better it seems to me if there are still mysteries and questions to study. Perhaps study under God himself!
This little booklet naturally examines the doctrine of The Trinity as a part of what we can know about God. Dr. Sproul's discussion of this doctrine is as clear as anything I can remember reading or hearing. Even if you have no interest in the other matters examined, it is worth reading this free booklet for the discussion of the Trinity.
R.C. Sproul was one of the great theologians. His opinions and thoughts are well worth considering but the old adage that God is God and we are not also applies to Sproul, so do not expect omniscience. Do expect to expand your mind if you study Sproul's work.
What can we know about God is a question which must necessarily delve at least a little into a more basic question: Can we finite beings even know the infinite God? Of course we can, at least to a degree, because God has revealed some of himself to us. Mr. Sproul is of the opinion that we will not fully understand God even in heaven. Curiously this makes me happier about what life could be like in Heaven. If, when we arrive, all mysteries are revealed, all questions answered, what do we do for eternity? Do our inquiring minds which God gave to us cease to inquire? What a dismal prospect. How much better it seems to me if there are still mysteries and questions to study. Perhaps study under God himself!
This little booklet naturally examines the doctrine of The Trinity as a part of what we can know about God. Dr. Sproul's discussion of this doctrine is as clear as anything I can remember reading or hearing. Even if you have no interest in the other matters examined, it is worth reading this free booklet for the discussion of the Trinity.
R.C. Sproul was one of the great theologians. His opinions and thoughts are well worth considering but the old adage that God is God and we are not also applies to Sproul, so do not expect omniscience. Do expect to expand your mind if you study Sproul's work.
September 4, 2020
R. C. Sproul really had a God-given gift to explain difficult theology in an understandable way. In this book, more than just an explanation of God’s attributes, Dr. Sproul also teaches how these attributes affect our lives as creatures. The section about “how to know the will of God” is especially great.
December 15, 2017
The ultimate truth is the truth of God, and that He is the foundation and source of all other truth. Everything we learn-economics, philosophy, biology, mathematics-has to be understood in light of the overarching reality of the character of God.
Before I begin this review, I had finished this text yesterday and found out that Dr. R.C. Sproul passed away at the age of 78. I have with great anticipation enjoyed his studies and teaching of our Lord and savior. Dr. Sproul does not pit truth against grace or grace against truth. He is one of the most balanced teachers and authors we have and he will be sorely missed. He does not claim to know all that there is about the will of God but he does give solid parameters and always leads others to God's word. He does not add or take away. With that said, I hope these new series will bring others to the knowledge of God and his plan of redemption.
What can we know about God? Plenty and I like that this book packs much in the 44 pages. It lays a foundation in seven chapters.
Knowledge of God
One in Essence
Three in Person
Incommunicable Attributes
Communicable Attributes
Will of God
Providence
Several chapters struck out to me one being the trinity. The importance of the trinity to our faith is critical because of the relationship aspect. The trinity keeps Christianity from just being a religion to a living way of life based on relationship of give, respond, and sacrifice. The good of the other
The other two chapters were the communicable and the incommunicable attributes. The communicable attributes are those that we as Christians can fight for such as justice and righteousness. I use my own word "fight" as at times this can be a struggle. But it in these attributes we have true reconciliation with God and with others. No matter what are differences are.
I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Ligonier Ministries and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Before I begin this review, I had finished this text yesterday and found out that Dr. R.C. Sproul passed away at the age of 78. I have with great anticipation enjoyed his studies and teaching of our Lord and savior. Dr. Sproul does not pit truth against grace or grace against truth. He is one of the most balanced teachers and authors we have and he will be sorely missed. He does not claim to know all that there is about the will of God but he does give solid parameters and always leads others to God's word. He does not add or take away. With that said, I hope these new series will bring others to the knowledge of God and his plan of redemption.
What can we know about God? Plenty and I like that this book packs much in the 44 pages. It lays a foundation in seven chapters.
Knowledge of God
One in Essence
Three in Person
Incommunicable Attributes
Communicable Attributes
Will of God
Providence
Several chapters struck out to me one being the trinity. The importance of the trinity to our faith is critical because of the relationship aspect. The trinity keeps Christianity from just being a religion to a living way of life based on relationship of give, respond, and sacrifice. The good of the other
The other two chapters were the communicable and the incommunicable attributes. The communicable attributes are those that we as Christians can fight for such as justice and righteousness. I use my own word "fight" as at times this can be a struggle. But it in these attributes we have true reconciliation with God and with others. No matter what are differences are.
I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Ligonier Ministries and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
January 9, 2018
What Can We Know About God? is the twenty-seventh book in the Crucial Questions series by R.C. Sproul. Many of the books in this series are available as free ebooks for kindle. Most of the books are quite short. This is probably for the best since not every believer is an active reader. What Can We Know about God? is even shorter, in my opinion, than some of the other books in the series. If I'd been writing the book, it would have been even shorter.
The question Sproul asks is: What Can We Know About God?
The answer Sproul gives is essentially: What we can know about God is what God has revealed to us within his Holy Word. Sproul then begins an extremely basic review of a few of the attributes of God which we learn through Scripture.
Sproul has written other books--longer books, more detailed books--that address these same questions. The book feels very familiar, like I've read it before--from Sproul--in nearly the same words. That is possible. I've heard a lot of sermons by Sproul. I've read a handful of books written by Sproul.
I would recommend this one to Christians who are not big readers but who genuinely have questions about the faith.
The question Sproul asks is: What Can We Know About God?
The answer Sproul gives is essentially: What we can know about God is what God has revealed to us within his Holy Word. Sproul then begins an extremely basic review of a few of the attributes of God which we learn through Scripture.
Sproul has written other books--longer books, more detailed books--that address these same questions. The book feels very familiar, like I've read it before--from Sproul--in nearly the same words. That is possible. I've heard a lot of sermons by Sproul. I've read a handful of books written by Sproul.
I would recommend this one to Christians who are not big readers but who genuinely have questions about the faith.
October 28, 2019
Another
Another wonderful book in this series truthfully if you haven’t you should read all of these books. They are free.
Another wonderful book in this series truthfully if you haven’t you should read all of these books. They are free.
January 18, 2018
Trying to grasp the infinite in the finite is an impossible task, yet R.C. Sproul does the best he can with even less to work with than most authors who tackle this subject. If you want to hit the highlights on the study of God before you dive into the deep end of the pool, then this is the book for you.
February 21, 2018
In this booklet in his Crucial Question series, the late R.C. Sproul looks at “theology proper,” which has specific reference to the study of God Himself. He tells us that “incomprehensible” does not mean that we cannot know anything about God, but rather that our knowledge of Him will always be limited. He tells us that the fundamental principle is that even though we do not know God exhaustively and comprehensively, we do have meaningful ways of speaking about Him. He covers some of those ways (God’s attributes, will and providence).
The author writes that a primary concern is to develop an understanding of His attributes such as His holiness, His immutability, and His infinity, to gain a coherent understanding of who He is. He writes about both communicable and incommunicable attributes. A communicable attribute is one that can be transferred from one person to another. An incommunicable attribute is one that cannot be transferred. God’s incommunicable attributes, therefore, cannot be attributes of human beings. He writes that God’s incommunicable attributes point to the way in which God is different from us and the way in which He transcends us. His incommunicable attributes reveal why we owe Him glory, honor, and praise. In addition, God possesses certain attributes that are communicable. Those are attributes that we have the ability to possess and manifest.
The author writes about the two aspects of God’s will. One aspect of the will of God is His decretive will, which refers to the fact that God sovereignly brings to pass whatsoever He wills. In addition, there is the preceptive will of God. The author tells us that while the decretive will of God cannot be resisted, we not only can resist the preceptive will of God, but we do resist it all the time. The preceptive will of God refers to God’s law, to His commandments.
The author also looks at the doctrine of providence. Providence includes the sustenance of creation and the doctrine of concurrence, which he tells us in one sense is the fact that everything that happens, even our sin, is the will of God. He writes that in the mystery of divine providence, God works His will even through our intentional decisions.
The author writes that a primary concern is to develop an understanding of His attributes such as His holiness, His immutability, and His infinity, to gain a coherent understanding of who He is. He writes about both communicable and incommunicable attributes. A communicable attribute is one that can be transferred from one person to another. An incommunicable attribute is one that cannot be transferred. God’s incommunicable attributes, therefore, cannot be attributes of human beings. He writes that God’s incommunicable attributes point to the way in which God is different from us and the way in which He transcends us. His incommunicable attributes reveal why we owe Him glory, honor, and praise. In addition, God possesses certain attributes that are communicable. Those are attributes that we have the ability to possess and manifest.
The author writes about the two aspects of God’s will. One aspect of the will of God is His decretive will, which refers to the fact that God sovereignly brings to pass whatsoever He wills. In addition, there is the preceptive will of God. The author tells us that while the decretive will of God cannot be resisted, we not only can resist the preceptive will of God, but we do resist it all the time. The preceptive will of God refers to God’s law, to His commandments.
The author also looks at the doctrine of providence. Providence includes the sustenance of creation and the doctrine of concurrence, which he tells us in one sense is the fact that everything that happens, even our sin, is the will of God. He writes that in the mystery of divine providence, God works His will even through our intentional decisions.
May 31, 2021
The title might seem like a daft question, but this book provided another comprehensive answer, by first off going "back to basics" by explaining what "theology" means.
This book sets out everyhing that is available in the Bible, about God and His eternal nature, and about discerning his will. R.C. Sproul makes his creationist views clear, by stating (as many other Christian authors have) that the universe is unlikely to have come across by chance.
Regarding God's will, the book was a good reminder of how everything, however bad, is part of God's will (the example here is the story of Joseph), and with the subject of what God hasn't made known to us, Sproul's response was suprisingly blunt:
"The hidden will of God is none of our business".
Not exactly my usual school of thought then, but still an enjoyable, and short book, that I was able to read over the weekend.
This book sets out everyhing that is available in the Bible, about God and His eternal nature, and about discerning his will. R.C. Sproul makes his creationist views clear, by stating (as many other Christian authors have) that the universe is unlikely to have come across by chance.
Regarding God's will, the book was a good reminder of how everything, however bad, is part of God's will (the example here is the story of Joseph), and with the subject of what God hasn't made known to us, Sproul's response was suprisingly blunt:
"The hidden will of God is none of our business".
Not exactly my usual school of thought then, but still an enjoyable, and short book, that I was able to read over the weekend.
February 15, 2022
How can humans, as finite beings, understand an infinite God? In this booklet of the Crucial Questions Series, R.C. Sproul takes a look at this question. Covering points such as communicable and incommunicable attributes that God possesses, Sproul explores this question. From the providence of God to His will, both revealed and secret, learn how you can know God on His terms and move deeper into your relationship with Him. Recommended for any Christian, new or old.
June 7, 2018
What can we know about God
This book is brief and straight to the point. It is loaded with sublime truths and debunks some of the fallacies of modern wisdom. Theology or the study about/of God is what every Christian must engage themselves with daily. Do you wish to know God's will for your life, read his word.....his revealed will.
This book is brief and straight to the point. It is loaded with sublime truths and debunks some of the fallacies of modern wisdom. Theology or the study about/of God is what every Christian must engage themselves with daily. Do you wish to know God's will for your life, read his word.....his revealed will.
January 17, 2022
We can know a lot about God but it doesn't mean we totally understand.
The author reviews the attributes of God that we can understand and relate to others. There are also attributes of God that are beyond our understanding in this life. Only when we get to Heaven will some things be made clear to us.
The author reviews the attributes of God that we can understand and relate to others. There are also attributes of God that are beyond our understanding in this life. Only when we get to Heaven will some things be made clear to us.
November 25, 2018
He's real. And I love to learn everything there is to know about God.
Thank you for sharing
I will continue to pray for everyday, for my family and the world to be a safer place to live. God Bless
Thank you for sharing
I will continue to pray for everyday, for my family and the world to be a safer place to live. God Bless
March 12, 2024
Knowing God
A brief read on seeing God in every circumstance as the author explores the life of Joseph who was innocent & ended up in jail & became the Prime Minister of Egypt during famine
A brief read on seeing God in every circumstance as the author explores the life of Joseph who was innocent & ended up in jail & became the Prime Minister of Egypt during famine
January 16, 2018
This is a concise introduction to the issues related to knowing God.
May 24, 2018
I'm a nonbeliever, and a believing friend recommended this to me thinking it may be convincing. Instead, it's written by believers for believers to keep them believers.
November 11, 2018
An amazing Man of God
Dr. Sproul., Is an excellent example of someone who , was not only a great bible scholar but also an amazing teacher..
Dr. Sproul., Is an excellent example of someone who , was not only a great bible scholar but also an amazing teacher..
May 12, 2019
This is a solid meat and potatoes primer on Theology that focuses on the attributes of God. It's short, and if you go with the FREE ebook edition, you can't beat the price.
I enjoyed it.
I enjoyed it.
March 31, 2020
Excellent!
August 1, 2022
A must read.
What Can We Know About God? Is a great primer to the study of Theology. As one who has a bachelors in Theology, I highly recommend it.
What Can We Know About God? Is a great primer to the study of Theology. As one who has a bachelors in Theology, I highly recommend it.
October 6, 2022
Another good, clear and concise book from RC Sproul which is filled with good stuff everyone should read...
July 4, 2023
Thoughts provoking read
February 3, 2025
Another book I read in 2023....n did a TikTok on it ...Simply explained yet complex to me :))) (I'll repost on my new acc)
April 25, 2021
Your purpose in life?
If you are still unsure of your purpose in being here now, I recommend you obtain a copy of What Can We Know about God and meditate on what you find here!
If you are still unsure of your purpose in being here now, I recommend you obtain a copy of What Can We Know about God and meditate on what you find here!
August 9, 2022
Revelatory
R C Sproul once again reveals why he was one of the foremost theologians of our time. So much is explained about God's nature in this small book! I always expand my knowledge of our Holy God.
R C Sproul once again reveals why he was one of the foremost theologians of our time. So much is explained about God's nature in this small book! I always expand my knowledge of our Holy God.
May 31, 2023
God's attributes(communicable and incommunicable), the will of God (hidden and revealed), the doctrine of providence are all well explained and made easy to comprehend!
i took notes! :))
i took notes! :))
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews