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Hand in Hand: The Beauty of God's Sovereignty and Meaningful Human Choice

Review

Hand in Hand: The Beauty of God's Sovereignty and Meaningful Human Choice

Randy Alcorn is a leading Christian apologist and the founder/director of Eternal Perspectives Ministries. He is also the author of many New York Times bestselling books, including IF GOD IS GOOD, HEAVEN and THE TREASURE PRINCIPLE. In his newest offering, Alcorn tackles a tricky and timeless theological argument that centers on the debate of God’s sovereignty and human choice (or often referred to as free will). Alcorn shares how phrasing human choice as free will is potentially misleading because 1) humans’ wills are limited because we are finite creatures, and 2) we operate with fallen sinful natures that affect our choices. Thus, throughout HAND IN HAND, he prefers to use the term “meaningful human choice” as opposed to “free will.”

"Faithful fans of Alcorn will appreciate HAND IN HAND, and newcomers will discover why his books have such popularity and longevity."

Alcorn opens this almost-academic text with a chapter detailing why an in-depth discussion is needed on the topic of God’s sovereignty and human choice. Because the division within the church over this issue has been so explosive, he spends his initial chapter explaining why Christ followers should take some time revisiting this important (and pertinent) subject. We develop a deeper appreciation for God and His Word, which reveals Him to us. It helps readers mirror Christ’s humility by admitting how little we know; embraces all of God’s inspired Word, not just parts of it; fosters unity in the body of Christ; avoids fatalism and crushing guilt; and prevents Christians from becoming trivial people in a shallow age.

These reasons provide the stepping-off point for all the continuing chapters in which Alcorn dissects and exegetes passage after passage of Scripture from both sides of the debate. In fact, he strongly suggests that readers pick up additional books from authors on the opposing side of the debate to find out what the “other side” truly does believe.

As a former Arminian, now a Calvinist, Alcorn shares some jokes from both sides of the camp to lighten up before digging deep into what each belief system represents. He himself writes that many folks don’t really understand the difference between Arminianism and Calvinism. This book, which is chock full of helpful diagrams and useful discussion questions, will help readers rightly unpack even the most confusing arguments that either side has used as ammunition over the years.

Specifically, readers will gain a much richer understanding of what it means when someone talks about the sovereignty of God; main views of sovereignty and choice; open theism in terms of resolving the sovereignty/choice paradox; the fascinating interplay of God’s sovereignty and human choice; and how meaningful human choice and divine sovereignty work hand in Hand.

Alcorn’s books always offer readers rich resources into a better understanding of how God’s Word is applicable to today’s Christ follower. He strongly believes that a thorough study of the Bible should and will change a person’s life from the inside out, and this transformation comes in large part from knowing what the Bible teaches. Faithful fans of Alcorn will appreciate HAND IN HAND, and newcomers will discover why his books have such popularity and longevity.

Reviewed by Michele Howe on December 16, 2014

Hand in Hand: The Beauty of God's Sovereignty and Meaningful Human Choice
by Randy Alcorn

  • Publication Date: October 14, 2014
  • Genres: Christian, Nonfiction
  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Multnomah Books
  • ISBN-10: 1601426267
  • ISBN-13: 9781601426260