Book Review: "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God"

You can purchase this book here by clicking this link: "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God"      

          The evangelical church has had a strain on her in understanding evangelism and the sovereignty of God for centuries. This strain has caused endless numbers of debates, as well denominational splits. However, J.I.. Packer offers biblical insights through the subjects of God’s sovereignty and evangelism. He does this by faithfully exposing and expositing Scripture to prove his argument for both topics. Packer helps his readers better understand both topics with a simple, yet balanced approach in arguing for their compatibility.

            The proper understanding of God’s sovereignty and evangelism can be understood in the fact that they complement each other. Despite popular views of the 21^st century church, which believes that these two biblical subjects contradict one another, Packer offers a well-rounded and biblical argument that God's sovereignty and evangelism are friends. Packer’s understanding of these topics is that God’s sovereignty undergirds evangelism. He admits, “If we would be biblical in our outlook, we have to make room in our minds for the thoughts of divine sovereignty and of human responsibility to stand side by side” (92). Packer’s understanding is balanced in the light and truth given in Scripture.

            In addition, Packer is careful not to be a fatalist in his approach by placing more emphasis on God’s sovereignty than man’s responsibility throughout the book. Since God is sovereign over all His creation, He is also sovereign over the means of man’s salvation, namely the evangelization of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the only way that sinners will come to repentance and faith-- by the hearing of the gospel. Therefore, the gospel must be proclaimed while trusting in God’s sovereignty to bring sinners to Him.

            Packer argues his position by stating two main thoughts. First, he notes, “The sovereignty of God in grace does not affect anything that we have said about the nature and duty of evangelism” (95). God’s sovereignty does not forfeit believer’s responsibility to evangelize the lost, nor for man to repent and believe the gospel. The argument, which is offered to God’s sovereignty, is often if God is sovereign and He has His elect, then why share the gospel with anyone? Packer opposes this thought vehemently by saying, “But nobody will be saved who does not call on the name of the Lord, and certain things must happen before anyone can do this” (96). Thus, the implication is that the gospel must be proclaimed in order for one to call upon the Lord.

            Secondly, Packer states, “The sovereignty of God in grace gives us our only hope of success in evangelism” (104). The only reason why one can evangelize with the hope of sinners coming to faith is because God is sovereign over salvation. Packer points out, “The sovereignty of God in grace is the one thing that prevents evangelism pointless” (104). The truth of this statement can be summed up this way: if God does not regenerate sinners, no one will be saved. God’s sovereignty is needed in order to bring about life to dead and lifeless sinners.

            Packer offers brilliant, well-balanced, and biblical arguments for his position. Many would find God’s sovereignty and evangelism to be a paradox. However, when it comes to “man’s responsibility to the Creator, it is a reality, as much as God’s sovereignty is a reality” (28). In chapter one and two, Packer deals with God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. Unlike some who argue that God cannot be 100% sovereign and that man cannot be 100% responsible, Packer shows that both exist in light of Scripture. He points out, “It is God who brings men and women under the sound of the gospel, and it is God who brings them to faith in Christ” (32).

            Moreover, Packer’s approach to these subjects are rooted and grounded in Holy Scripture. God’s Word is where he teaches his readers and proves his arguments. As he states, it is clear that God’s Word teaches both His sovereignty and his mission mindedness. Staying balanced in God’s Word is how he is free from falling over to one side or the other. Holding firm to the proper understanding of Scripture will keep one from being a hyper-Calvinist or a hyper-Arminian. Packer illustrates these truths beautifully by referring to the men of God, such as the disciples, the Apostle Paul, and Jesus, who believed in the sovereignty of God and were very evangelistic.

Packer’s position and defense of his arguments are articulated clearly throughout book. One can sense the passion that Packer has in trying to get his point across. His passion is demonstrated when he writes about God’s sovereignty in preaching/communicating the gospel. He draws readers in by showing the precision of communicating the gospel under God’s sovereignty. He describes it this way, “To teach the gospel is first responsibility; to reduce it to its simplest essentials, to analyze it point by point…to show how each part of the message links up with the rest” (51). Thus, Packer does a splendid job in outlining all of the different ways God’s sovereignty and evangelism complement each other in and through the communication of the gospel.

For some, the relationship between God’s sovereignty and evangelism can be paralyzing. This is a very serious and often sad place to find oneself. The truths of God’s Word are balanced as revealed in His Son Jesus Christ. Genesis 1:1 sets the stage of God’s sovereignty when Moses writes, “In the beginning, God… ” This truth states that in the very beginning, it was God. That is it. From there, we learn more of the attributes of who God is when we are told, “He created the heavens the earth.” What God declares to His creation in the first verse of the Bible is that He is sovereign.

At the same time, His sovereignty is proven by His creation of everything else (Gen.1:1). The psalmist confirms this by writing, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases “ (Ps.115:3). God is not only sovereign in creation, but also in salvation. He gives life, both physical and spiritual, as He wills. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome about God’s sovereignty in salvation when he wrote, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Rom.9:13). “And does not the potter have the right over the clay?” (Rom.9:21). If one would do a thorough study in biblical theology with the aide of the Holy Spirit, they too, would arrive at the proper understanding of God’s sovereignty found within the Bible.

Moreover, God’s sovereignty is never forced upon anyone. After the Fall in the Garden of Eden, man became spiritually separated from God. Therefore, God chose to provide a sacrifice for Adam and Eve to bring them back into a right standing before Him. Hence, the sacrifice of an animal and “the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Gen.3:21). Notice it was God taking the initiative to act on man’s behalf. What one sees after the Fall of man is that God is mission minded. He has a heart in pursuing and loving His creation to the point that He redeems them back to Himself through the sacrifice that He provides.

God’s sovereignty and evangelism can be clearly seen throughout the revelation of Scripture, even in the death of Jesus Christ, as Luke writes, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan [God’s sovereignty], and foreknowledge of God, you [man’s responsibility] killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23). God’s divine sovereignty never overrides man’s responsibility neither in repentance, faith, nor evangelism. On the day of Pentecost, Peter  proclaims the sovereignty of God, man’s responsibility in crucifying Christ, and calls them to repent and believe the gospel. If the Apostles had a proper understanding of God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in evangelism, so should Christians.

When it comes to God’s divine sovereignty and evangelism, the essential task is to realize that they are friends. Having a proper understanding of these truths will fuel the flame of evangelism and the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For one to believe that nothing happens or does not happen outside of the will of God allows them to freely plant and water gospel seeds. The ability to do this is found in the truth that it is God and Him alone who gives the increase. This takes the pressure off of the one evangelizing by not having to perform, manipulate, or practice unbiblical tactics in trying to get someone converted. However, having a proper understanding and balance in God’s sovereignty and evangelism gives the Christian assurance that they are in the will of God by having a healthy stress between the two.