There's Only ONE Problem with the New Biography of R.C. Sproul... 

RC saved me from the charismatic church. I was saved in 2013. The only churches around me where very charismatic or Catholic or very liberal. I was attending a charismatic church and thought something was wrong and I may not be saved because I didn't speak in tongues. Then I found RC on RU-vid. I started watching him which then led me to reformed theology. I'll be honest, I hated reformed theology at first. But he showed me how it's all over the bible. I would love to here how RC dealt with his struggles. One of my favorite books is Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. It is so encouraging then I fail. I'm a stay at home mom now, which is not easy, and a homeschooler. I fail a lot.

I thought the same about Andy Stanley. Charles, as far a I know, has never addressed the error of his son's theology.

It's not hard to find a fault or sin with RC or RC jr. The fact that jr had his name on the Ashley Madison list shows what kind of people they were. These are horrible people and yes RC can be blamed because he always acted so high and mighty and yet his own son was totally immoral.

I read the Kindle edition a few weeks ago and couldn't agree more with your assessment. I suspect that in the future another author not so closely connected with R.C. Sproul will write his biography and give a more balanced, objective picture. (Alister McGrath would do a wonderful job.)

The ONE problem is at 6:49

When I read about my personal “heroes of the faith,” I love hearing about how real and flawed they were because it reveals God’s faithfulness. When you read a biography of someone with seemingly no flaws, you really need to question the intent of the author.

He struggled with smoking. Sproul talked about it briefly in a interview Mark Dricoll did with him years ago, in that interview Sproul listed it as a sin he struggled with or used to at least. His smoking is mentioned in the book but at the point I am at, it isn't displayed as something he struggled with. I also can remember him telling a story where he got road rage when someone cut him off but he was wearing religious garb, I think he was about to do something but stopped because he realized he was wearing religious attire lol.

Great point, brother. I read it a while ago and even reviewed it for our denomination's magazine. I would agree fully with your comments. There is another biography of Sproul out soon I believe. Will be interesting to see it's approach in comparison.

Perhaps you've found your next book project? Write a real life of RC. Not a hagiography. I think RC would want that, because it would be much more helpful to the readers, as you said.

Interesting, I agree. I would like to hear about what RC struggled with, I believe that would be much more encouraging

In my view, the unmentionable elephant in the room is R.C.Sproul, Jr. The wonderful gospel, as so adroitly taught by R.C. Sproul, would have been gloriously demonstrated in practicality had Dr. Nichols revealed his friend’s path to peace concerning the anguish R.C. must have experienced concerning the difficulties in the life of his son. I personally would have greatly valued the narration of that path. However, I am fully persuaded that the pure and true gospel was sufficient for him.

Some one asked my father a navy pilot and boxer from the 2nd world War, "Chick why don't you tell us about the fights you lost". You know Mathew we are in totally different ministries and I sure respect your honesty and ❤️. I learned from my mentor Fred Bishop of No Greater Love ministries don't trust a leader without a limp. Love you Brother I was confirmed Presbyterian, I now acknowledge or identify full gospel. Bless you and your family and friends ❤️

I haven't read this but I can tell you I've never liked biographies where the person is presented to be the greatest individual that ever lived... That's not realistic we're all human beings we're all sinners and we all struggle with something everyone of us that's human nature

Agreed. I enjoyed this one very much, but had the same thoughts throughout.

This is a great review, however, I will point out that if you listen to RC’s classic collection of sermons, though he doesn’t point his sins out individually, you will hear his admittance to the sin that still remained in his life. When conducting his verse by verse expository preaching through books of the Bible, at times there are passages that he would admit that he did not care for nor did he have the definite answer as far as application. He was still a great Theologian, Pastor and teacher

R.C. Sproul, would mention, almost in all his sermons or talks, how much of a sinners he was and his struggle to please God. He mentioned in one of his sermons that he never, for one second, ever loved God with all his heart ,mind, and soul, like Yehoshua did. I can see why the author didn't mention all his faults, since R.C. already did it himself. I do not agree with your assessment of the book.

Upon hearing of a fellow pastor sexual fall, John Calvin replied, “Yesterday it was him, tomorrow it might be me.” If one has a firm grasp of true Theology, then we understand that all of us fall short of the glory of God (Psalm 14, Romans 3:10-20) and we all fall so totally. As far as knowing what particular sins bedeviled RC, I myself do not care to know, save for the fact that RC would have agreed that like Paul, he was “…the chiefest of sinners.” If Christianity is taught correctly then part of the emphasis of God’s grace is that there will be constant struggles with sin til our dying moment and I may be so bold as to say, our dying moment, even if it is a fruit of sin, that the grace of God paid for that moment. I knew RC also. Not as close as some, but enough to gain edification from what he said to me personally. I was under the impression that he was a great godly man and yet a fellow sinner as I am. As far as the broader Church is concerned, he will be missed more so than I will, but I too can say “I am a child of God.” and suffice it to say.

Drop kick a deacon that's a good one hahaha

I have to agree. Before I had read the diary entries of Jonathan Edwards (Volume 1 BoT) I thought to myself that Edwards was this perfect and holy man, always bearing the fruits of the spirit (dw, he did!) without any problems with sanctification. After reading his words I was so astonished. He openly wrote down his struggles with sin A and B. He wrote about his dullness. He wrote about his ups and downs. Wow! I was able to relate to him! Even this mighty man of God, who had such an immensely true christian character had his struggles with sin, just as I, a young christian in his early 20s. I was able to relate. I realized that even the holiest saints have their battles. That was so nice about Edwards.

I had the same problem with Eric Metexas’ biography of Luther, He understated his antisemitism saying He was just a grumpy old man.

I first experienced RC in 1965, WOW, that was as a freshman at Westminster College. He was in his first year of teaching. For the past decades I have been a watcher and listener of anything he has done. His knowledge of all religious history and thought, in my opinion, is monumental. I am sure that if I live long enough that I might get around to Johnathan Edwards to expand my studies but for now RC is helping me ensure that I am prepared for eternity.

The author is the president of my college which was founded by R.C. Sproul. Looking forward to listening to your video before I read the book they gave me for free. 😆

My gf just ordered me 2 of your books and I’m excited to read them and thanks for the review i was wanting this book and might still get it because I love RC but it might be a while before I feel like reading it now lol thanks though

So it would appear that this book is a canonization of sorts, protestant style. Wonderful irony that.

I recently finished the book and saw that exactly footnote, typed it in and came upon the same dead link. Unfortunate as it does leave a bit of cynicism in me about what was otherwise a good biography.

New camera? Nice!

This is an excellent and fair review. Thank you.

I’m watching for RC Jr’s review of the book.

Plant a church in Reno, NV :)

Just wondering of your struggles...???

Just like a modern day Pharisee. Trying to pick the spec out of another's eye all the while having a log in his own. And after he passed too. What a schmuck.

Great message. Sounds like the author doesn't understand the Gospel.