Written by the late R. C. Sproul, this little book is a classic; both in terms of it’s treatment of the subject, and due to the fact it has been reprinted a number of times.

Readers are indebted to Baker for republishing this work and for ensuring an accessible work on the subject is readily available to readers. The subject is perennial and always proves to be a “hot potato” issue. However, the prevalence of an Arminian or Semi-Pelagian belief in ‘evangelicalism’ – and dare I say it, even in some reformed congregations, reveals just how important a little popular level book such as this truly is. It ought to find its way on to the shelf – or cyber shelf – of any believer, let alone book shelves of leaders and even Church libraries and bookcases. It is vital that the church today recovers the correct biblical understanding of the role of the human will in salvation, and that this is communicated and taught to her members by those duly called as shepherds and overseers.

The book is compiled in such a way that the subject matter is engaged via the means of looking at various contributors to the debate throughout church history. In fact the Contents page reveals the line up to a replaying of the debate down through the ages. Chapter 1 and 2 deal with Pelagius and Augustine; 3 and 4 with the Semi-Pelagians and Erasmus and Martin Luther. Chapter 5 and 6 teach us how the debate developed in the times of Calvin and Arminius, then through into the 18th and 19th Century with Jonathan Edwards and Charles Finney in Chapters 7 and 8. And finally the book comes to a close, bringing us up to the modern day with Lewis Sperry Chafer who attempted to present a modified approach to the issue of role of the human will.

The approach of the book in dealing with certain historical figures, prominent within the debate is a helpful one, which also shows how the subject is still one which continues to raise its head. However, Sproul has carefully chosen suitable leaders from the past to show how there has been a single orthodox response which has also matured and responded to the critiques of each new ‘fresh’ challenge of the day to the biblical understanding of the role and operation of the human will in salvation.

This was an enjoyable and informative read which would certainly prove its worth as a popular primer on the subject.

Details of the book can be found at the Publishers website, here.

**I received a review copy of this book from the Publisher in response for an honest review. I was not obliged to post a positive review.