“Surely our lives are greatly enriched when we recognize the mysterious beauty of the interplay between God’s ways and ours.” Randy Alcorn
If God is sovereign and has predestined our lives, then how does man practice free will, or meaningful choice? In hand in Hand, Randy Alcorn takes the reader up the mountaintop to experience Arminianism (man’s free will) and down the mountain to brush against Libertarianism and a few other “isms.” On the way up the opposite mountain, the reader encounters Determinism and finally Calvinism (God’s sovereignty).
A thoughtful approach to a difficult subject, hand in Hand clearly demonstrates that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and God’s ways are not our ways.
Alcorn recognizes the value of each of the theories while acknowledging that they are man’s wisdom and not God’s. He encourages readers to be good Bereans, studying the Scriptures, opening our minds, and letting God teach us His truths.
“When I think of the examples of Paul, Elisha, and Daniel, I can’t help but marvel at the beauty of the unequal but real partnerships forged when we submit our choices to God and walk hand in Hand–His the strong and sovereign Hand lovingly reaching down, ours the weak hand eagerly reaching up.” Randy Alcorn
Whether Arminian, Calvinist, or somewhere in between, according to Alcorn, each position has “snags.” He recommends that the reader study the Scripture “unguarded, shield down,” to let God lead where He wants to go.
Complete with pithy pull quotes that have Tweetable qualities, Alcorn has created a beautiful gift for thoughtful small groups to go deeper with God. Small group study questions are included in the book.
Although some might think that God’s sovereignty and man’s meaningful choice are contradictory, if we consider them from the eternal perspective, they are “Yes,” and “Amen.”
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
My prayer
Sovereign Father, thank You for revealing Your nature to Your children. I revel in the fact that Your thoughts are not my thoughts, for You are my God. Thank You that You have taken me by my right hand and lead me into Your ways. I love You Lord.
