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

Randy Alcorn's book Hand in Hand should be required reading in every seminary, christian college and high school. There are few topics that can become more of a tool of polarization in the body than God's sovereignty and choice. Randy's treatment of this topic is full of the humility, grace and love of God's absolute truth that we have come to expect from him. He takes us thru a history and the back story of this pivotal discussion in such a way that denominational lines transform from battle lines to a unified recognition that God is SO SOVEREIGN.......that within His sovereignty believers have meaningful choice. Alcorn argues that rather than as defenders of a theology, we should approach God's word with shields down like the Bereans and thru the Spirit hear it on all counts regarding this topic. In the end, Alcorn in his methodical way helps bring order and clarity to a topic that has caused much turbulence in the Church for centuries. One of the benefits of this book is resulting insights that can produce profound joy and peace.

Paul Pennington Hope for Orphans

The reconciliation of God's sovereignty and man's choice is a difficult subject and is probably impossible to understand. So why study it? Alcorn argues that, even though we can never fully understand it, we can better understand it. And, he writes, in the case of God's sovereignty and human choice, while it's not imperative that I understand everything, it is important that I believe in both. (2)

This book is essentially an investigation of Calvinism and Arminianism. He explains the views of both and shows the dangers of the extremes. He explores the continuum, with chapters on Hyper-Calvinism, Compatibalism, Molinism, Libertarianism, and Open-Theism. He looks at Scripture and what theologians have written over the centuries.

Alcorn describes himself as mostly Calvinist who was once mostly Arminian. I think he writes well on both viewpoints with balanced comments.

I appreciate Alcorn reminding us that God exists outside of the four dimensions by which we are bound. What might seem impossible to us because of our restricted frame of existence is entirely possible with God. (171) Our reconciliation of God's sovereignty and man's choice may be problematic only because we are finite, as is our reasoning. He includes a good section on painful and tragic events in our lives and their use by God.

He encourages us to keep at it. Verses that were once troubling are now a comfort to him. He also encourages us to base our opinions on Scripture and original writings of theologians, not on what we've been told each view believes. He reminds us that no theological system is perfect. He wants us to ultimately recognize the mystery and beauty of man and God working hand in Hand.

Alcorn encourages Christians to think deeply on this issue. There is a discussion guide included so the book would be a good one for a class or small group.

Food for thought:

True humility and wisdom consist of recognizing how little we really know. (3)

Our state of mind determines whether the doctrine of God's sovereignty comforts or threatens us. (47)

hand in Hand is a masterpiece. Most of the great ideas in Scripture can't be truly examined with a simple word search. Alcorn does some deep sea diving into the depths of God's Word to bring up answers explaining how tiny, weak humans and an immense Creator relate to each other. He does this with elegant clarity along with great care for the differing perspectives within the body of Christ. If you think you have a pretty good handle on all there is to know about God's sovereignty and human choice break open this book and learn more than a few new things about the greatness of our mighty King.

This is a great book that thoughtfully weighs God's sovereign will with man's free will. It helped me as a reader consider both subjects in a straight forward way. Having known personal tragedy in spite of many prayers, these issues have been quite heavy on my heart and the hearts of others suffering similar suffering. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed "Hand In Hand". Many great illustrations and anecdotes, and the book is sprinkled with quotations from the greats throughout history. This is no "softball" approach to a difficult question. There is much theological insight for the new Christian as well as the old, and Randy examines the questions fairly. Strong but not doctrinaire.

John T. Tolbert, J.D., D.Min