R.C. Sproul was undoubtedly one of the greatest Bible teachers of our time. Some even called him “the best communicator of Reformed Theology in the world.” But what really set R.C. apart was that he was a “battlefield theologian.” A term he coined to describe men like Luther, Calvin, and Edwards, who fiercely contended for the faith.
R.C. said, “As I studied the writings and the work of the great teachers [Augustine, Anselm, Athanasius, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards], I saw a pattern emerge, especially from the ministries of Luther, Calvin, Edwards. I saw these men were ‘battlefield theologians.’ They not only engaged with their scholar-opponents as Luther versus Rome and Erasmus of Rotterdam, or Calvin versus Pigius et al., or Edwards versus the Unitarian and Arminian opponents of his day, but they took their case to the people.”
R.C. longed to be a “battlefield theologian” and follow in the footsteps of his favorite theologians and Christ Himself. The Lord heard R.C. and gave him many battles and opponents during his lifetime. In R.C. Sproul: Defender of the Reformed Faith, Nate Pickowicz summarizes these theological battles and shows how R.C. became one of the staunchest defenders of reformed theology.
The book is not a complete biography as it focuses primarily on R.C.’s public ministry. It has seven chapters. The first two chronicles R.C.’s humble beginnings, conversion, education, and ministry start. While the five remaining chapters documents R.C.’s battles over his many decades of public ministry. And as Pickowicz astutely observed, these fights loosely mirror the Five Solas of the protestant Reformation.
R.C. fought for the inerrancy and authority of Scripture (sola scriptura), promoted the holiness and sovereignty of God (sola gratia), stood against the Evangelicals and Catholics Together movement (sola fide), upheld the supremacy of Christ in worship and salvation (solus Christus), and encouraged living to the glory of God alone (soli Deo gloria).
R.C. did not only embrace the reformed faith; he unashamedly proclaimed it and indefatigably defended it against attacks from within and without the church. Indeed, he was a defender of the reformed faith, and Pickowicz brilliantly captures it in this book.
In only 128 pages, Pickowicz succinctly summarizes R.C.’s life and ministry and gives us a beautiful glimpse into the life of this giant of the faith. I enjoyed discovering R.C.’s passion for the truth and was encouraged by his example.
In our postmodern age, where lies and false teachings abound, the church needs more “battlefield theologians” like R.C. who will stand for God’s truth even if it costs them personally. And I am thrilled that Pickowicz shows us how to contend earnestly for the faith through R.C.’s example, “with grace, brilliance, passion, humor, gravity, and kindness.”
If you are like me, you may wonder if it’s worth reading this book if you have already read R.C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen Nichols, published last year. The answer is a resounding yes! With much already written there and in other places, Pickowicz takes a unique approach by looking mainly at R.C. Sproul’s doctrinal battles and how he handled them. And it made for an edifying and entertaining read! So much so that I hope someone will write a similar book for another great “battlefield theologian” of our day. (Hint: he loves Fresca).
I highly recommend R.C. Sproul: A Defender of the Reformed Faith! Pickowicz does an excellent job summarizing R.C. Sproul’s life, doctrinal stands, and works. This book will introduce you to R.C. Sproul, make you zealous for reformed theology, and encourage you to defend the precious faith that God entrusted to us.
See also these reviews: The Holiness of God, Everyone’s a Theologian, What is Reformed Theology, R.C. Sproul: A Life.
*Hesed and Emmet graciously gave me a copy, and this is my honest review.*
