Book Review: hand in HAND by Randy Alcorn

God's sovereignty and human choice are two truths taught in the Bible yet can be complicated. We have two groups of Christians who have debated about this for years. You have the Calvinists who believe that God is sovereign especially in the choicing of those who are saved. We have the Arminians who believe God is sovereign but man has the choice to accept God or not based on their free will.

Most books on this issue is usually written by one side or the other giving a defense for their beliefs. Usually the author is highly respected theologian on one side of the fense. I am happy to review this book by Randy Alcorn because he is an apologist who is respected by both Calvinists and Arminians. hand in HAND is a book that addresses the issue of God's sovereignty and the man's free will to choose in a way that those who are not familiar with the struggle this doctrine has brought to many Christians for years.

Alcorn does what he does best and that is giving the introductions to Calvinism and Arminism in a user-friendly style. He talks about the difference both sides have on doctrines of the Christian faith such as Predestination, Grace, and for whom Christ died for. Alcorn also gives different views besides Calvinists and Arminians on the sovereignty of God such as Libertarianism and Hyper-Calvinism.

The rest of the book deals with how God's sovereignty and human choice play hand in hand, hence the title of the book. Alcorn also addresses Open Theism and how it is contrary to God's sovereignty which is something Christians need to know. He also addresses God's sovereignty in working all things together for good.

I am really grateful that Alcorn addresses that Christians must always go to the Bible for what they believe. While it is important to study theological systems, they are not breathed out by God. The Bible is breathed out by God. We can quote our favorite theologians till we are blue in the face but if we miss out on what the Bible teaches, then we are people who no longer depend on God's word as the final authority.

This book was a breath of freah air because Alcorn presented his writings in a way that anyone can read on the issue of God's sovereignty. This is a must read for every Christian regardless if you are a Calvinist or Arminian. There is a discussion guide in the back of the book which will be great for small group or one-on-one discipleship.


Thanks Waterbrook Multnomah for letting mew review this book.