R. C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols: The Life and Work of Robert Charles Sproul

R. C. Sproul: A Life by Stephen J. Nichols Hardcover, 306 pg. Crossway, 2021 Read: May 2-16, 2021 Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

Why Did I Pick Up R. C. Sproul: A Life?

If you were to go into any (confessional) Presbyterian or Reformed church in the U. S., you would have a very difficult time finding anyone there who hasn’t read a book or watched/heard a lecture by R. C. Sproul, usually several of either/each. The Holiness of God and Chosen by God were monumental in my life—and so many of his other works were huge, too. I saw him live twice, and couldn’t tell you how many videos and audio tapes/mp3s I learned from.

Basically, this guy was as close to a contemporary giant as we’ve had (whether having a giant in the church is a good or bad thing is a different discussion), so of course, I had to jump at a chance to learn more about him.

What’s R. C. Sproul: A Life About?

It’s all there in the title, really. This is a look at the life of Robert Charles Sproul, author/teacher/minister. Nichols covers it all—from his childhood to university days (and conversion), his post-graduate education, and early work. Then he moves into the founding of the Ligonier Study Center and how that led to Sproul’s books, radio show, and the rest of his work, culminating in the planting of Saint Andrews Chapel and the founding Reformation Bible College. The history of Ligonier Ministries in its various stages of development is also traced throughout. The last chapter serves as an extended eulogy for Sproul, recapping the major points of his life’s work and glancing at his legacy.

In many ways this serves as an intellectual biography and Nicholls will examine the background, main points, and impact of some of Sproul’s major projects and works in addition to the account of his life and work. These portions of the book are the highlights for me—serving both as a reminder of things I’d forgotten and a handy summary of Sproul’s major contributions.

Some Complaints

Nichols’ use of R. C. throughout, rather than Sproul, rubbed me the wrong way. I realize full well that the two had been friends for years, but I guess I expect a bit more formality from a biography.

It’s his friendship that colors this work, I think. There’s no critical eye on anything—personal choices, ecclesiastical acts, writing, public teaching, alliances with people in and out of the church—Nichols covers it all as if everything was inarguably positive and well done. While I’m sure Nichols would affirm that Sproul was fallible and capable of error, there’s no evidence of that in the book.

The discussion of Sproul’s thoughts on apologetics irked me. It’s stated that Sproul went to seminary a convinced presuppositionalist, and then Dr. Gerstner showed him the error of his ways on that issue, as well as Reformed Theology. So that his later critiques of Van Tillian apologetics come from the pen of someone who knows “both” sides and has seen the error of his ways. Well, if he didn’t become Reformed until after he shed his presuppositionalism, he wasn’t Van Tillian. Van Tillian presuppositionalism is rooted and grounded in Reformed (“Calvinistic”) theology, so Sproul was never in that camp. And frankly, I’ve listened to and read Sproul talking about Presuppositionalism, and as brilliant as he was, I just don’t think he ever really understood it. Is it that important? Not really—it just irked me, especially the way that Nichols used Sproul’s apologetic methodology in the book.

So, what did I think about R. C. Sproul: A Life?

Ultimately, this is more of an extended tribute than a biography. Nichols is no Iain H. Murray. And when I was about halfway through this book, I realized that’s what I wanted—a book roughly equivalent to Murray’s The Life of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (although I’d have been satisfied with something closer to his work on Edwards). But there’s no way anyone could have something of that scale ready less than four years after Sproul’s death, so that’s unrealistic. But I’m not going to be satisfied until we get that.

Nevertheless, I do recommend this book—it’s a good look at the man, his life, and his work. It helps understand where he came from, what led to various books and themes in his work. I do think I know Sproul better after this and that’s a good thing.

Also, if anyone deserves a 300-page tribute, it’s R. C. Sproul.

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