Book Review: Chosen for Life, by Sam Storms

I recently read this book by Sam Storms on the case for divine election. Divine Election is a controversial topic for a lot of people. The most common concern for people is the conflict between free will and God's will. Ironically, when you put it that way, it's hard to imagine who's will is more powerful! Another controversy is: How can a just God unfairly choose one person over another?

To put it simply, Sam Storms goes through the biblical truth of God's election. He proves without a doubt that the bible teaches that God sovereignly elects people to be saved by His grace. He does this by systematically going through each passage in the bible that concerns election. This view, that God is sovereign and therefore is in complete control of saving people, is called Calvinism.

He even gives a thorough account of the view that is against the complete election of God, otherwise called Arminianism. In this way, he doesn't just give a one-sided explanation of the whole issue. However, he does do a very convincing job defending Calvinism through biblical analysis, thoughtful analogy and compassionate explanation. At the same time, he is sympathetic towards all the people who struggle with God's sovereignty without compromising the biblical truths.

I think everyone should read this book. Though, at times, it gets a little scholarly, I think that Storms has written a thorough summary of these issues. In any case, there is no doubt that this doctrine should not to be ignored.

All Christians grapple with his sovereignty in one way or another. But when his sovereignty is realized, it can be a beautiful and freeing thing.