So often it is hard to draw an appropriate line between ideas that are essential to Biblical Christianity and ideas that are secondary. For every new movement differing from tradition the question is raised- is this merely a difference of opinion between believers or do these ideas constitute a separate faith? In order to answer such questions one needs to have a firm understanding of what beliefs are central to Christianity and which are not. Furthermore, this is not a task only for academic Christians, but sense there are often many differences of belief within congregations, this is a task also for the lay believer.

Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul sets out to map the key doctrines that make Christianity what it is. The book is comprised of 102 two to three page chapters for each doctrine. These doctrines are arranged into 10 sections.

The Introduction is almost worth the cost of the book itself. Dr. Sproul highlights ten causes for the lack of spiritual maturity in our churches. He discusses causes like the confusion between child-like faith and childish faith, fear of controversies, and the replacement of devotion for study. Through this avenue Dr. Sproul sets up the need for serious theological study for every Christian, that they may become spiritually mature.

Beginning with the doctrines of Revelation, the book goes on to lay to bear The Nature and Attributes of God, The Works and Decrees of God, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, Human Beings and the Fall, Salvation, The Church and the Sacraments, Spirituality and Living in This Age, and End Times. In the end there is practically no theological stone left unturned.

I found at least two problems with the book. It is likely next to impossible to discuss essential doctrines of salvation without bringing up the differences between the Calvinist and Arminian perspectives. So while I think for many people it is a secondary issue (though there are folks on both sides who go too far off base), the differences should at least be brought up. Dr. Sproul does more than this; he spends numerous chapters describing and defending the Calvinist perspective while dismantling the Arminianist one. While I agree with most of his points, I think this is out of place in a book outlining the essentials of the faith.

The other problem is more specifically with Dr. Sproul’s doctrine of Original Sin. “We are sinners not because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners.” Dr. Sproul offers nothing to back this up, unless one reads into Psalm 51:5 this view. His weak argument and lack of Biblical evidence for the doctrine has actually caused me to question it, rather than hold it to be a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith.

Despite these select problems, overall I found the books to be enriching. Every chapter adapts doctrine to language easily understood by lay people, with occasional deeper discussions. I read this as part of a book group; which I highly recommend doing. The section and chapter divides are great for weekly reading and prompts for discussion. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are summary points and several verses related to the doctrine. There are also some illustrations, though some are more useful than others.