Showing results by author "R. C. Sproul" in All Categories

The Bible is clear that true blessing is found only in the presence of God and in his kingdom. Some of the Bible's clearest teaching about life in the kingdom of God is found in the Sermon on the Mount. It is there that we find the Beatitudes, a series of promises of blessing. In How Can I Be Blessed?, Dr. R. C. Sproul explores these sayings in order to clearly explain what they mean for Christians and to hold up the glorious promise of life in God's kingdom.

The philosopher Blaise Pascal called man "the supreme paradox", because compared to all other creatures, he is both the most magnificent and the most miserable. What did Pascal mean? The answer goes to the heart of what the Bible says about man. Man is created in the image of God, but the Bible also tells us that man has fallen into sin and become corrupt. In Are People Basically Good?, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the nature of mankind by looking at what it means to be made in the image of God, and exploring the nature and effects of the fall.

The word "faith" is heard often these days, but it is given many different meanings. Sometimes it is used in the sense of trust. Other times, it has more to do with hope. Perhaps most often, it is used to mean belief in something apart from rational or empirical support. Because faith is central to the Christian life, believers must have a clear understanding of how the Bible defines the word and the concept.

Many people in the church today are plagued by doubts about their salvation. Satan whispers that it is impossible that sinners such as they could be in a state of grace, and some churches compound the problem by teaching that it is possible for believers to lose their salvation. But assurance of salvation is possible in this life. Indeed, as Dr. R.C. Sproul argues in this Crucial Questions audiobook, it is the duty of Christians to make their calling sure (2 Peter 2:10).

In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores and explains the Christian doctrine of providence, the teaching that God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. He then deals with some of the philosophical and theological questions and objections the doctrine raises. His teaching challenges popular assumptions about the universe and exalts God as the sovereign ruler and sustainer of all things.

When Jesus explained the necessity of the new birth, the Jewish leader Nicodemus asked in astonishment, "How can these things be?" Some two thousand years later, much confusion still surrounds the term "born again", though more people than ever claim to have had the experience. In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul cuts through the confusion and carefully explains what it means, biblically and theologically, to be born again.

Jesus taught more often on money than he did on love or on heaven and hell combined. Why? It's because money is one of the chief competitors for our affections. "You cannot serve God and money," he warned. How, then, should Christians view and use money? How should they view and participate in economic systems? In How Should I Think about Money?, Dr. R.C. Sproul offers much-needed biblical answers to these questions, and in so doing, provides clarity on an important issue in the lives of Christians.

How do I pray? How do I study the Bible? How do I worship? How do I serve? How do I become a good steward? These are the questions every Christian should be asking. The answers are what every Christian needs to know. In Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow, acclaimed theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul guides his listeners through the basic training of Christianity and reveals the five most vital fundamentals of the Christian faith: prayer, worship, service, study, and stewardship.

The Evangelical Church is deeply confused over the sacrament of the Lord's supper, with many believers unclear as to what happens at the Lord's table. In some churches it is practiced infrequently or irreverently. In this audiobook Dr. R. C. Sproul cuts through the confusion to define the supper, demonstrate what it means, and show how important it is for the lives of believers and churches.

As human beings, we long to know that our lives will unfold in ways that we will find pleasant and rewarding. As Christians, we have a different focus - we want our lives to be pleasing to God. Thus, we ponder His will and worry that we are not doing what He wants us to do. In this Crucial Questions audio booklet, Dr. R. C. Sproul outlines timeless principles for discovering and applying the will of God in day-to-day decisions.

Most people today believe that we live in a closed, mechanistic universe, that is, a universe that functions from day to day according to certain physical forces and causes. Classical Christianity has taken a very different view, teaching that God is the primary cause of the universe, but also that He is the primary cause of everything in the universe and of everything that happens in the universe and in short, that God, not mechanistic forces, is the primary cause of what is and what happens.

As a gifted communicator, R.C. Sproul has helped many believers grow in their understanding of such matters as the nature of God, the history of redemption, and the manner in which we are saved. Now, Dr. Sproul's lucid teaching on these vital matters is available in a series of concise audiobooks that are perfect for personal learning and refreshing as well as small-group study.

As a gifted communicator, R.C. Sproul has helped many believers grow in their understanding of such matters as the nature of God, the history of redemption, and the manner in which we are saved. Now, Dr. Sproul's lucid teaching on these vital matters is available in a series of concise audiobooks that are perfect for personal learning and refreshing as well as small-group study.

In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul carefully explains the doctrine of the Trinity, stressing that Christians worship one God who manifests Himself in three distinct persons. He shows what the Bible teaches and outlines the chief errors on this doctrine that have afflicted the church. Above all, he affirms that while this truth is difficult to understand, it is not contradictory. Rather, it is a beautiful expression of the biblical teaching on the nature of God.

How Then Shall We Worship? is a landmark look at God’s design for authentic worship. Today’s church cannot seem to agree on what corporate worship should look like. Some choose contemporary forms, others prefer traditional expressions. Yet pop culture or the status quo do not hold the answers. God’s Word does. Dr. Sproul digs deep into rich Scripture passages to provide a guide for worship today.

Since the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, sola fide has been the defining doctrine of evangelical Christianity - and the way a person is justified the defining difference between Roman Catholics and evangelicals. In this audio, R. C. Sproul examines what justification is according to God's Word, compares the Roman Catholic and evangelical stances on this core doctrine, and discusses the relationship of faith and works - all to show why "by faith alone" is so essential.

There is a common assumption that the Bible is "full" of errors and contradictions, and that its often-unusual people and events render it useless for today. These ideas are fueled by the teachings of scholarly critics, who seem to delight in raising questions about the Bible's truthfulness and integrity. But the critics of the Bible are wrong, according to Dr. R.C. Sproul in this Crucial Questions audiobook.

No person in history has provoked such widely divergent assessments as Jesus of Nazareth. Some say He was a cunning fraud, while others say He must have been out of His mind. In many cases, His story is altered to suit the fancies of those seeking to make Him an ally for a host of militant causes. However, as Dr. R.C. Sproul points out in this Crucial Questions audiobook, there is compelling evidence that Jesus was something more - that He was, in fact, God in the flesh.

Jesus was known for presenting many of his teachings in parables, short stories that illustrate a point. In His own day and in ours, Jesus' stories have often been misunderstood, and their riches have been overlooked. In What Do Jesus' Parables Mean?, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the parables of Jesus, laying out their meaning and the rich blessings that they promise to believers.

Jesus Himself said that knowing God is an essential part of salvation. We must know who God is, and the way to know God is to learn what He has revealed about Himself. In What Can We Know About God?, Dr. R. C. Sproul unfolds Scripture's teachings on the nature, will, and attributes of God, presenting a glorious picture of our great Creator and Savior.