Crucial Questions

No person in history has provoked such widely divergent assessments as Jesus of Nazareth. Some say He was a cunning fraud, while others say He must have been out of His mind. In many cases, His story is altered to suit the fancies of those seeking to make Him an ally for a host of militant causes. However, as Dr. R.C. Sproul points out in this Crucial Questions audiobook, there is compelling evidence that Jesus was something more - that He was, in fact, God in the flesh.

There is a common assumption that the Bible is "full" of errors and contradictions, and that its often-unusual people and events render it useless for today. These ideas are fueled by the teachings of scholarly critics, who seem to delight in raising questions about the Bible's truthfulness and integrity. But the critics of the Bible are wrong, according to Dr. R.C. Sproul in this Crucial Questions audiobook.

Does prayer make any difference? Does it really change anything? Yes, says Dr. R. C. Sproul in this Crucial Questions audio booklet. Though we cannot hope that our prayers will change God's mind, prevailing upon Him to act against His will, we can be sure that prayer does change things including our own hearts. Plus, it is one of the chief means by which God carries out His will in the world. For these reasons, Dr. Sproul argues, prayer has a vital place in the life of the Christian.

As human beings, we long to know that our lives will unfold in ways that we will find pleasant and rewarding. As Christians, we have a different focus - we want our lives to be pleasing to God. Thus, we ponder His will and worry that we are not doing what He wants us to do. In this Crucial Questions audio booklet, Dr. R. C. Sproul outlines timeless principles for discovering and applying the will of God in day-to-day decisions.

Christians want to do the right thing. But it can be tough to know what the right thing is. Plus, it's not just the big questions with which we must wrestle ethical dilemmas confront us each day in every aspect of life. On what basis do we make all of these decisions? In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R. C. Sproul argues that the Bible is the supreme source for ethical guidance. That doesn't mean it contains a Thou shalt... or a Thou shalt not... for every conceivable situation, but it does provide ethical principles.

When Jesus explained the necessity of the new birth, the Jewish leader Nicodemus asked in astonishment, "How can these things be?" Some two thousand years later, much confusion still surrounds the term "born again", though more people than ever claim to have had the experience. In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul cuts through the confusion and carefully explains what it means, biblically and theologically, to be born again.

Many people in the church today are plagued by doubts about their salvation. Satan whispers that it is impossible that sinners such as they could be in a state of grace, and some churches compound the problem by teaching that it is possible for believers to lose their salvation. But assurance of salvation is possible in this life. Indeed, as Dr. R.C. Sproul argues in this Crucial Questions audiobook, it is the duty of Christians to make their calling sure (2 Peter 2:10).

The word "faith" is heard often these days, but it is given many different meanings. Sometimes it is used in the sense of trust. Other times, it has more to do with hope. Perhaps most often, it is used to mean belief in something apart from rational or empirical support. Because faith is central to the Christian life, believers must have a clear understanding of how the Bible defines the word and the concept.

Dr. R.C. Sproul has often asked unbelievers who deny their need for a Savior, "What do you do with your guilt?" The question often breaks through sinful complacency, because feelings of guilt over sin are common. Unbelievers may ignore their sense of guilt, rationalize it, or desensitize it, but it is there. It points to the fact that all people are objectively guilty before God. So what must we do with our guilt?

In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul carefully explains the doctrine of the Trinity, stressing that Christians worship one God who manifests Himself in three distinct persons. He shows what the Bible teaches and outlines the chief errors on this doctrine that have afflicted the church. Above all, he affirms that while this truth is difficult to understand, it is not contradictory. Rather, it is a beautiful expression of the biblical teaching on the nature of God.

Baptism is taught in the Bible and has been practiced for centuries, but understanding of its meaning and respect for its importance is at a low ebb today. Confusion reigns over questions about its mode and its place in the life of the Christian, and as a result, even many evangelical congregations are downplaying its significance. This is not the way it should be, Dr. R.C. Sproul declares in this Crucial Questions audiobook.

Joy is a popular topic in Western culture today. Books explain how to find joy in a wide variety of activities. We speak of "joyous" occasions such as weddings and births. We sing about "Joy to the World" at Christmas. "Joy" remains a popular name for girls. But given the extent to which joy seems to be on our minds, few people seem to have it or even know what it is. In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul cuts through the confusion surrounding this popular but misunderstood attribute.

Most people today believe that we live in a closed, mechanistic universe, that is, a universe that functions from day to day according to certain physical forces and causes. Classical Christianity has taken a very different view, teaching that God is the primary cause of the universe, but also that He is the primary cause of everything in the universe and of everything that happens in the universe and in short, that God, not mechanistic forces, is the primary cause of what is and what happens.

In this Crucial Questions audiobook, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores and explains the Christian doctrine of providence, the teaching that God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. He then deals with some of the philosophical and theological questions and objections the doctrine raises. His teaching challenges popular assumptions about the universe and exalts God as the sovereign ruler and sustainer of all things.

In this audiobook, Dr. R. C. Sproul shows that this development involves learning and mastering the many principles God has laid down in His Word, and even in creation itself. In other words, we must know and understand God’s law. As we gain a firmer grasp of what God expects and requires, we are increasingly able to make decisions that please Him.

The Evangelical Church is deeply confused over the sacrament of the Lord's supper, with many believers unclear as to what happens at the Lord's table. In some churches it is practiced infrequently or irreverently. In this audiobook Dr. R. C. Sproul cuts through the confusion to define the supper, demonstrate what it means, and show how important it is for the lives of believers and churches.

When the word Church is mentioned, many people tend to think of a formal building with a steeple and stained-glass windows. For others the word brings to mind the idea of a denomination. But the Church is much more. In this audiobook Dr. R. C. Sproul carefully and clearly explains that the church is a body of people saved by Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit who live to glorify and enjoy God.

As a gifted communicator, R.C. Sproul has helped many believers grow in their understanding of such matters as the nature of God, the history of redemption, and the manner in which we are saved. Now, Dr. Sproul's lucid teaching on these vital matters is available in a series of concise audiobooks that are perfect for personal learning and refreshing as well as small-group study.

As a gifted communicator, R.C. Sproul has helped many believers grow in their understanding of such matters as the nature of God, the history of redemption, and the manner in which we are saved. Now, Dr. Sproul's lucid teaching on these vital matters is available in a series of concise audiobooks that are perfect for personal learning and refreshing as well as small-group study.

After his resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples a mission: to go to all the nations and make disciples, baptizing and teaching them. That remains the continuing mission of the church today. In this book, Dr. R. C. Sproul explores the Great Commission by laying out the biblical basis for missions, defining the gospel and evangelism, and addressing the need to mobilize Christian believers for missions.