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Saved from What?
Have you ever been asked by a stranger, “Are you saved?” Many Christians use this question as an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus. But a common response to that question might catch us off “Saved from what?” Until this essential question can be answered, we won’t be able to make sense of Christ’s sacrifice or explain it to others. In Saved from What?, Dr. R.C. Sproul reveals that the greatest danger we face is the holy wrath of God against our sin. But the glory of the gospel is that the One from whom we need to be saved is the very One who saves us. As we better understand the severity of our sin and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, the truth of God’s grace will deepen our worship and drive us to make His salvation known.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2002
66 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Sproul
673 books1,997 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 23, 2012
Good read... We are saved BY God, FROM God, FOR God! I guess that was a spoiler.
May 7, 2016
This is one of those 5 books that every Christian should be forced to read. (I'll have to think of exactly what those other 4 are...I'll get back to you - probably some things with Theology, Philosophy, World Religions, Good Science, and How the Bible came to be the way it is).
A huge confusing issue in modern churches:
Many assume a desperate emotionally drippy deity is trying its hardest to SAVE US poor misunderstood, generally nice, Earthlings from big bad Sin and a sneaky Devilish Horde - against all odds of course.
If only God could do more they say. He just loves us all and will cry for an eternity if any human doesn't reach the pearly gates in time. What's a God to do against a horrible hell that keeps closing in around us...if only God and us had a plan against this unjust scenario? If only???
Boo Hoo! That's not the way the game is played. R.C. Sproul knows this - Because he actually read his Bible.
The point: WE need saving FROM God. It's His Devil, His Hell, Sin that He doesn't tolerate, and He won't be crying for an eternity because of rebellious sinful humans in Hell that ignored ALL of His interventions and Gospel moments.
I know, sounds mean, isn't God on our side? Isn't He all about love and forgiveness? Here's a favorite Bible bit from Joshua:
13When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Is that Jesus standing with a drawn sword on Holy Ground simply saying "NO, I have Come"? Sure sounds like it. I don't think the Archangel Michael gets Holy Ground or worship from Joshua. And Revelation shows that Jesus is the Commander of HIS army. (He has his own Cool horse and EVERYTHING). He's on HIS OWN side.
God is on the side of His son: Jesus. Get used to it - that is the proper way to read the entire Bible. If we are blessed and chosen - then we get to be adopted into the family of God and Covered by the spotless sin-free Robe of Jesus' Righteousness...because God is perfectly Just, Perfectly Loving, absolutely Holy, and filled with Mercy and Grace. Simple eh?
________________________
Fun story:
I was reading this book at work (while loading a tanker truck I drive) and the book fell off the tanker and was forgotten for a weekend. I found it later, after it had been run over a few times while sitting in the dirt. I went looking for a new copy to buy - no luck. So the book is beat up and still readable. Mucho Fun! Now I finished it and can give it a review. (i'm still picking rocks out of it though)
R.C. says "Saved from the wrath to come".
And so does the Bible: 1 Thessalonians 1:
...and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
YES, anyone who has read the Bible knows very well about God's wrath. From the Angel rebellion in Heaven to the Garden of Eden, then that flood of Noah's time, to the displacement of the Tower of Babel, then the numerous Exiles of Israel. Then that brutal destruction of Jerusalem. But the worst of all - was the wrath Jesus took for us while he was on the cross.
Isaiah 53
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makesh an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
And just for those who aren't into Old Testament prophecies:
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
R.C. says it best:
"That we are shocked by the idea that we are saved from God reveals two crucial shortcoming in our understanding. We fail to understand who God is, and we fail to understand who we are. Our view of God is too low, and our view of mankind is too high."
R.C. clears up the human self righteous part: Romans 3:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13“Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
And that fear of a Holy God that we should all have: 2 Samuel 6:6-7
6And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.
So God killed Uzzah for simply reaching out to steady the Ark of the Covenant? Most liberal or moderate Christians would never believe such a ridiculous tale. Why? God simply loves everyone and hopes they'll try just a little bit to love back...or love somebody ELSE back.
But the Bible does NOT say this. God is Holy and Just and has some clear definitions of Sin and righteousness. God says "Don't Touch The Ark" ---- He means it.
___________________
I learned an interesting thing while reading this:
Many people argue about Jesus going to Hell for 3 days as part of God's wrath. But while reading this book R.C. mentions "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" AS the the moment of HELL.
(pg. 84)
Finally, Jesus cried, "It is Finished!" (John 19:30). It was over. What was over? His life? The pain of the nails? No. It was the forsakenness that ended. The curse was finished. The light of God's countenance returned, and Jesus said, "Into Your hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46)
No reason to suffer in Hell. Jesus was in the Father's hands. Jesus may have preached in hell. 1 Peter 3
18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Last quote: (pg. 94)
"Some may say the problem (of sin) is not severe because God in His kindness will over look it. God could do this if He were willing to negotiate His own righteousness or sacrifice His own Justice. but then the judge of all the earth would not be doing what is right. A judge who does not punish evil is neither just nor good."
R.C. mentions the Astonishing Reality Of Our Adoption. This is essential Christian theology. Read this book. It's short and essential. This is what we should be getting out of the Biblical scriptures (maybe if we read them slower and more often).
The book ends with R.C. talking about Heaven. There's no better way to end any book.
Saved By God, Saved From God, Saved For God. This is God's plan and system ---- nothing better but than to simply enjoy it and embrace Jesus as the eternal King.
A huge confusing issue in modern churches:
Many assume a desperate emotionally drippy deity is trying its hardest to SAVE US poor misunderstood, generally nice, Earthlings from big bad Sin and a sneaky Devilish Horde - against all odds of course.
If only God could do more they say. He just loves us all and will cry for an eternity if any human doesn't reach the pearly gates in time. What's a God to do against a horrible hell that keeps closing in around us...if only God and us had a plan against this unjust scenario? If only???
Boo Hoo! That's not the way the game is played. R.C. Sproul knows this - Because he actually read his Bible.
The point: WE need saving FROM God. It's His Devil, His Hell, Sin that He doesn't tolerate, and He won't be crying for an eternity because of rebellious sinful humans in Hell that ignored ALL of His interventions and Gospel moments.
I know, sounds mean, isn't God on our side? Isn't He all about love and forgiveness? Here's a favorite Bible bit from Joshua:
13When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Is that Jesus standing with a drawn sword on Holy Ground simply saying "NO, I have Come"? Sure sounds like it. I don't think the Archangel Michael gets Holy Ground or worship from Joshua. And Revelation shows that Jesus is the Commander of HIS army. (He has his own Cool horse and EVERYTHING). He's on HIS OWN side.
God is on the side of His son: Jesus. Get used to it - that is the proper way to read the entire Bible. If we are blessed and chosen - then we get to be adopted into the family of God and Covered by the spotless sin-free Robe of Jesus' Righteousness...because God is perfectly Just, Perfectly Loving, absolutely Holy, and filled with Mercy and Grace. Simple eh?
________________________
Fun story:
I was reading this book at work (while loading a tanker truck I drive) and the book fell off the tanker and was forgotten for a weekend. I found it later, after it had been run over a few times while sitting in the dirt. I went looking for a new copy to buy - no luck. So the book is beat up and still readable. Mucho Fun! Now I finished it and can give it a review. (i'm still picking rocks out of it though)
R.C. says "Saved from the wrath to come".
And so does the Bible: 1 Thessalonians 1:
...and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
YES, anyone who has read the Bible knows very well about God's wrath. From the Angel rebellion in Heaven to the Garden of Eden, then that flood of Noah's time, to the displacement of the Tower of Babel, then the numerous Exiles of Israel. Then that brutal destruction of Jerusalem. But the worst of all - was the wrath Jesus took for us while he was on the cross.
Isaiah 53
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makesh an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
And just for those who aren't into Old Testament prophecies:
John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
R.C. says it best:
"That we are shocked by the idea that we are saved from God reveals two crucial shortcoming in our understanding. We fail to understand who God is, and we fail to understand who we are. Our view of God is too low, and our view of mankind is too high."
R.C. clears up the human self righteous part: Romans 3:
“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13“Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
And that fear of a Holy God that we should all have: 2 Samuel 6:6-7
6And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.
So God killed Uzzah for simply reaching out to steady the Ark of the Covenant? Most liberal or moderate Christians would never believe such a ridiculous tale. Why? God simply loves everyone and hopes they'll try just a little bit to love back...or love somebody ELSE back.
But the Bible does NOT say this. God is Holy and Just and has some clear definitions of Sin and righteousness. God says "Don't Touch The Ark" ---- He means it.
___________________
I learned an interesting thing while reading this:
Many people argue about Jesus going to Hell for 3 days as part of God's wrath. But while reading this book R.C. mentions "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" AS the the moment of HELL.
(pg. 84)
Finally, Jesus cried, "It is Finished!" (John 19:30). It was over. What was over? His life? The pain of the nails? No. It was the forsakenness that ended. The curse was finished. The light of God's countenance returned, and Jesus said, "Into Your hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46)
No reason to suffer in Hell. Jesus was in the Father's hands. Jesus may have preached in hell. 1 Peter 3
18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Last quote: (pg. 94)
"Some may say the problem (of sin) is not severe because God in His kindness will over look it. God could do this if He were willing to negotiate His own righteousness or sacrifice His own Justice. but then the judge of all the earth would not be doing what is right. A judge who does not punish evil is neither just nor good."
R.C. mentions the Astonishing Reality Of Our Adoption. This is essential Christian theology. Read this book. It's short and essential. This is what we should be getting out of the Biblical scriptures (maybe if we read them slower and more often).
The book ends with R.C. talking about Heaven. There's no better way to end any book.
Saved By God, Saved From God, Saved For God. This is God's plan and system ---- nothing better but than to simply enjoy it and embrace Jesus as the eternal King.
January 17, 2026
Great book that covers redemption, atonement, substitution, adoption, imputation, etc. in an easy-to-read fashion. Sproul was great at making the grand and deep truths of the faith intellectually accessible to laypeople and this book is no exception. Would recommend.
August 6, 2015
Very easy book to read. This book explains the phrase, "Saved from God, by God, and for God." Sproul delivers in simple form not without profound insights. A good little book to give to unbelievers or even young believers wanting to know what salvation is about from a biblical perspective.
December 30, 2022
"We are saved by God, from God, for God."
July 8, 2023
Too often we see the obvious- that we are in need of saving; yet what we need saving from we remain ignorant of. Unafraid to ask others if they are saved, we prefer to stop there, unsure or unwilling to go further than that. Why is it so hard to convey the message that we need saving from God? On a deeper level than we understand we don’t always know who God is.
In this brief book in which , he asks “Saved From What?” R.C. Sproul clarifies the fact that the One we need saving from is the very One who saves us.
In this brief book in which , he asks “Saved From What?” R.C. Sproul clarifies the fact that the One we need saving from is the very One who saves us.
January 19, 2025
A fantastic and thorough book to have on the shelf, and an extra copy to lend to a seeking neighbor, that summarizes and explains the essentials of Christian salvation.
This small work is a great jumping off point for those wanting to dive deeper into the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
This small work is a great jumping off point for those wanting to dive deeper into the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
October 22, 2025
I listened to this as an audiobook on my work commute. Really great explanation of the gospel. It always amazes me how beautifully simple the gospel is, and yet I still find myself learning more and more about it as I grow in my faith!
February 18, 2022
A great read for a new convert. It would be the perfect baptism gift. I wish I had read this upon my own conversion as it would have helped me understand the ins and outs of the gospel message more clearly and I would have been better equipped to answer any questions.
August 24, 2025
Saved from what? Maybe the greatest question I had before I came to know a saving faith and a question that our world does not ponder, and if they do, they come to the premature conclusion that there is nothing to be saved from. They say a good and loving God cannot let them or anyone else see condemnation. They deny His holiness, His justice, His wrath, attributing these things to the “other” God of the Old Testament. RC walks the reader through scripture expounding upon and demonstrating that a judge who does not punish evil is neither just nor good. The full irony of the drama of our salvation is that we are saved “by God, from God, and for God.” Let us rejoice in our hope of the Cross of Christ for he is the propitiation, expiation, and imputation for all who call on His name. As the write of Hebrews puts it, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation.”
April 7, 2024
Summary: “What I want is for all those who embrace Christ to someday have their eyes opened - the eyes of their soul - that they may see the holy glory Jesus Christ unveiled. That is what we were made for. That is what we sense is missing in the deepest chambers of our souls. This is the hollow ache that must be healed before we can attain the fulfillment of our purpose as human beings. Nothing less will do. This is the destiny God promises His people. This is the goal and purpose of our salvation. This is what we are saved for. We are saved BY God, FROM God, FOR God. That is the full irony of the drama of salvation.”
Great book!
Great book!
March 29, 2024
Important look at the reason for our needing of salvation that comes from Jesus alone! Very clear and no holding back as usual from R.C. I would recommend all believers in Jesus read this as a way to be better in apologetics with a world confused with a reason for why they need to be saved at all.
October 6, 2025
A must read for any Christian. Dr. Sproul gets down to the crux of the matter that it’s actually God that we need saving from. God saves us from himself.
August 28, 2024
"The glory of the gospel is that the One from whom we need to be saved is the very one who saves us. God in saving us saves us from Himself."
An excellent exposition on the depravity of man, our need, God's holy wrath, and the amazing work of God the Son. This is a book all Christians should read to better understand the grace of God that brings salvation.
An excellent exposition on the depravity of man, our need, God's holy wrath, and the amazing work of God the Son. This is a book all Christians should read to better understand the grace of God that brings salvation.
October 2, 2016
"Are you saved?" such a seemingly easy and frequently used question that very few even attempt to define! But Boy does sproul define it!! LOVE the truth that Sproul speaks, as it opens my mind and heart to the true conceptions of the gospel!
March 23, 2023
This book will make you fall in love with the gospel. EXCELLENT read.
R.C Sproul does a fantastic job explaining what we are saved from, why we are saved, and how we are saved.
He deals exceptionally with the Christian Irony, that we are saved BY God FROM God.
In the first chapters he explains with copious amounts of scripture what or who it is that we’re saved from. It’s God himself. The wrath of God. He then goes on to explain how Gods Justice plays into that.
Later on, in the chapters that deal with HOW we’re saved (by the cross) he goes into depth about Christ being our mediator on behalf of God. He then tackled this issue of how Christians perceive God the father as this angry, mad sovereign being who is wanting to destroy us, but then there’s Jesus arguing with God on our behalf, convincing him not to strike us, asking God to just use him as a punching bag. A source for God to take out his anger. However he makes a beautiful point. This undermines the trinity. The trinity function as ONE. All ONE will. Sproul then makes the case point that it was God who sent the mediator. Who ordained the coming of Jesus and sent HIS son, for HIS purpose. God the father was the one who orchestrated this cosmic act of salvation. Jesus also said multiple times that I am here to do the will of the FATHER.
Sproul also does a fantastic job of educating on the difference between total depravity, and utter depravity. He explains how there is a double transaction. Christ receives our sin, and exchanges our sin for HIS righteousness. For if Christ only paid for our sins, we would just avoid hell, but would not be able to get into heaven. We must have Gods righteousness to enter into his kingdom, and he gives that to us, only in exchange for the worst part of us. How incredible.
This book has inspired my passion and love for the gospel. Sprouls writing will make you realize the severity of sin, but also the immense grace and love that it takes for God to have forgiven us and enact his double transaction and send his son as our mediator. This book will make you truly strive to avoid hurting the heart of God.
R.C Sproul does a fantastic job explaining what we are saved from, why we are saved, and how we are saved.
He deals exceptionally with the Christian Irony, that we are saved BY God FROM God.
In the first chapters he explains with copious amounts of scripture what or who it is that we’re saved from. It’s God himself. The wrath of God. He then goes on to explain how Gods Justice plays into that.
Later on, in the chapters that deal with HOW we’re saved (by the cross) he goes into depth about Christ being our mediator on behalf of God. He then tackled this issue of how Christians perceive God the father as this angry, mad sovereign being who is wanting to destroy us, but then there’s Jesus arguing with God on our behalf, convincing him not to strike us, asking God to just use him as a punching bag. A source for God to take out his anger. However he makes a beautiful point. This undermines the trinity. The trinity function as ONE. All ONE will. Sproul then makes the case point that it was God who sent the mediator. Who ordained the coming of Jesus and sent HIS son, for HIS purpose. God the father was the one who orchestrated this cosmic act of salvation. Jesus also said multiple times that I am here to do the will of the FATHER.
Sproul also does a fantastic job of educating on the difference between total depravity, and utter depravity. He explains how there is a double transaction. Christ receives our sin, and exchanges our sin for HIS righteousness. For if Christ only paid for our sins, we would just avoid hell, but would not be able to get into heaven. We must have Gods righteousness to enter into his kingdom, and he gives that to us, only in exchange for the worst part of us. How incredible.
This book has inspired my passion and love for the gospel. Sprouls writing will make you realize the severity of sin, but also the immense grace and love that it takes for God to have forgiven us and enact his double transaction and send his son as our mediator. This book will make you truly strive to avoid hurting the heart of God.
October 10, 2025
R.C. Sproul’s Saved from What? is one of the most eye-opening and soul-stirring books I’ve ever read on the meaning of salvation. In just a few pages, Sproul dismantles the shallow and sentimental views of the gospel that have become common in our time. He reminds us that salvation is not about being rescued from unhappiness, guilt, or purposelessness — it is about being saved from the wrath of a holy and just God.
Sproul’s brilliance lies not only in his theological precision but in his ability to awaken a deep sense of awe for God’s holiness. He brings us into the courtroom of divine justice and shows that grace is not merely kindness — it is costly, blood-bought mercy. The cross becomes more than a symbol of love; it becomes the place where justice and mercy meet perfectly.
What struck me most was how Sproul reveals that the glory of the gospel is not simply that we are forgiven, but how we are forgiven — that God Himself, in Christ, satisfied His own righteous standard on our behalf. The one from whom we need to be saved is the very one who saves us.
Reading this book rekindled in me a reverence for the holiness of God and a renewed gratitude for the Savior who bore what I could never endure. Saved from What? is not a long read, but its impact is lasting. It corrects, humbles, and ultimately exalts Christ in the highest way possible — as both Judge and Redeemer.
Sproul’s brilliance lies not only in his theological precision but in his ability to awaken a deep sense of awe for God’s holiness. He brings us into the courtroom of divine justice and shows that grace is not merely kindness — it is costly, blood-bought mercy. The cross becomes more than a symbol of love; it becomes the place where justice and mercy meet perfectly.
What struck me most was how Sproul reveals that the glory of the gospel is not simply that we are forgiven, but how we are forgiven — that God Himself, in Christ, satisfied His own righteous standard on our behalf. The one from whom we need to be saved is the very one who saves us.
Reading this book rekindled in me a reverence for the holiness of God and a renewed gratitude for the Savior who bore what I could never endure. Saved from What? is not a long read, but its impact is lasting. It corrects, humbles, and ultimately exalts Christ in the highest way possible — as both Judge and Redeemer.
October 5, 2021
I read this book when it was first published in 2002, and again recently when it was republished. As he did in all of his teaching, in this book Dr. Sproul takes difficult theological topics and presents them in a manner in which the average person in the pew can understand.
He tells us that the Bible uses the term salvation in many ways. The common thread that is found in the many uses is that, at root, salvation means rescue or deliverance from some calamity or catastrophe. The ultimate salvation that any human being can ever experience is rescue from the wrath that is to come. He goes on to say that he believes that the greatest point of unbelief in our culture and in our church today is an unbelief in the wrath of God and in His certain promise of judgment for the human race. What every human being needs to be saved from is God, and Jesus is the Savior who saves us from the wrath that is to come.
Sproul indicates that the question “Are you saved?” is the most important issue any person will ever face. What are we saved from? Sproul tells us that the glory of the gospel is that the One from whom we need to be saved is the very One who saves us. God in saving us saves us from Himself.
Sproul tells us that the greatest and most frequent error that human beings make is the assumption that they are going to survive the judgment of a holy God on the basis of their own performance. But our ability to pay the debt we owe to God is beyond the realm of possibility. There exists an estrangement between God and man, and reconciliation is necessary. It is into this situation of estrangement, of brokenness, that Christ comes as Mediator. God demands that justice be done. The price must be paid. Jesus, as the Servant, offers Himself in payment to the Father for us.
Sproul tells us that what is often overlooked in our justification is that there is a double transaction that takes place. First the weight of our guilt is transferred to Christ. Second, Christ’s righteousness is transferred to our account. The wonderful news of the gospel is that the minute we embrace Jesus Christ, all that Christ has done is applied to us.
Ultimately, Sproul tells us that we are saved by God, from God, for God.
Among the topics addressed in this short book are sin, expiation and propitiation, justification, total depravity and adoption.
Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
• For the unbeliever, the day of the Lord is a day of darkness, with no light in it. For the Christian, the day of the Lord is a day of light, with no darkness in it.
• We sin because we are sinners. We are not sinners because we sin.
• Take away the cross as an atoning act, and you take away Christianity.
• Mercy and grace are things that are never deserved. They cannot be deserved. If they were deserved, they would be justice and not mercy.
• Expiation is what Christ does on the cross. The result of Christ’s work of expiation is that God is propitiated. And the bottom-line result is that we are then reconciled.
• The whole point of the cross is that if Jesus was going to bear our sins and the sanctions of the covenant, then He had to experience the fullness of the curse. He had to experience utter and complete forsakenness by the Father.
• If we are not willing to participate in the humiliation of Christ, we will never participate in the exaltation of Christ. But if we are willing to participate in the shame of Christ, we will also participate in the glory of Christ.
He tells us that the Bible uses the term salvation in many ways. The common thread that is found in the many uses is that, at root, salvation means rescue or deliverance from some calamity or catastrophe. The ultimate salvation that any human being can ever experience is rescue from the wrath that is to come. He goes on to say that he believes that the greatest point of unbelief in our culture and in our church today is an unbelief in the wrath of God and in His certain promise of judgment for the human race. What every human being needs to be saved from is God, and Jesus is the Savior who saves us from the wrath that is to come.
Sproul indicates that the question “Are you saved?” is the most important issue any person will ever face. What are we saved from? Sproul tells us that the glory of the gospel is that the One from whom we need to be saved is the very One who saves us. God in saving us saves us from Himself.
Sproul tells us that the greatest and most frequent error that human beings make is the assumption that they are going to survive the judgment of a holy God on the basis of their own performance. But our ability to pay the debt we owe to God is beyond the realm of possibility. There exists an estrangement between God and man, and reconciliation is necessary. It is into this situation of estrangement, of brokenness, that Christ comes as Mediator. God demands that justice be done. The price must be paid. Jesus, as the Servant, offers Himself in payment to the Father for us.
Sproul tells us that what is often overlooked in our justification is that there is a double transaction that takes place. First the weight of our guilt is transferred to Christ. Second, Christ’s righteousness is transferred to our account. The wonderful news of the gospel is that the minute we embrace Jesus Christ, all that Christ has done is applied to us.
Ultimately, Sproul tells us that we are saved by God, from God, for God.
Among the topics addressed in this short book are sin, expiation and propitiation, justification, total depravity and adoption.
Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:
• For the unbeliever, the day of the Lord is a day of darkness, with no light in it. For the Christian, the day of the Lord is a day of light, with no darkness in it.
• We sin because we are sinners. We are not sinners because we sin.
• Take away the cross as an atoning act, and you take away Christianity.
• Mercy and grace are things that are never deserved. They cannot be deserved. If they were deserved, they would be justice and not mercy.
• Expiation is what Christ does on the cross. The result of Christ’s work of expiation is that God is propitiated. And the bottom-line result is that we are then reconciled.
• The whole point of the cross is that if Jesus was going to bear our sins and the sanctions of the covenant, then He had to experience the fullness of the curse. He had to experience utter and complete forsakenness by the Father.
• If we are not willing to participate in the humiliation of Christ, we will never participate in the exaltation of Christ. But if we are willing to participate in the shame of Christ, we will also participate in the glory of Christ.
November 7, 2021
An exemplary book on a very important subject. Clarity is given to core areas of salvation that the church at large seems to neglect today. Salvation is by God, from God, and for God. The idea that we actually need to be saved from God (that is: His just wrath against sin) is likely a surprise to many today, and even contested, but R. C. Sproul superbly and concisely proves this is so from the scriptures and heralds the great great love we are brought into in Christ as well. A very worthy and accessible read.
December 30, 2023
Saved from what is the Gospel from R.C. Sproul. This is not an academic book, neither is it fear mongering that has become so popular lately. Rather it presents the Gospel as it shows we are subject to God’s wrath, but God has already done what is necessary to escape it. We need rescued and we have a rescuer. We have a debt and it has been paid. He came the curse for us. He took on our son and we took on his righteousness. As a result we have been adopted and given a hope known as the beautific vision.
July 16, 2024
Saved by God, From God, For God
Flee from the wrath to come! What wrath? The wrath of God! No! No! No! God loves everyone! We are all the children of God! NOT SO! Since the fall in the garden man has been the enemy of God. Hell or Heaven? Now that is the Crucial Question! Dr. Sproul explains why God is wrathful towards man and leads us from the garden to the Beatific vision and glorification. This was especially a treat to read! The final chapter on the Beatific vision is awesome!
Flee from the wrath to come! What wrath? The wrath of God! No! No! No! God loves everyone! We are all the children of God! NOT SO! Since the fall in the garden man has been the enemy of God. Hell or Heaven? Now that is the Crucial Question! Dr. Sproul explains why God is wrathful towards man and leads us from the garden to the Beatific vision and glorification. This was especially a treat to read! The final chapter on the Beatific vision is awesome!
July 19, 2017
This is a great book that I would suggest to all Christians as a good and basic study of the death of Christ and it's impact. Sproul does a great job explaining hard things to simple people like me so that I, and others like me, can understand that God's holiness and goodness were perfectly and fully presented in the crucifixion. He also does a great job explaining the joy that we will receive when we enter the new Heaven and new Earth with Christ. Great book!
November 29, 2024
I am, and have been for awhile, an atheist. This book was gifted to me by a friend who is a devout Christian. I must admit, this does give me a deeper understanding into how he, and potentially other Christian’s, view the world. However, if you aren’t already christian, this book does little to sway you and includes some of the fundamental contradictions that exist in the religion. Good read if you want to more deeply understand the religion, but not a good idea if your goal is conversion.
March 21, 2025
When I first approached this book, I didn’t think I needed it. Out of pride, I told myself that I already know what I’m saved from. But, it’s always good to be reminded of the gospel each day. In fact, we are to intentionally preach it to ourselves. Basically R.C’s Sproul main thrust is that we are saved, not merely just from our sin, but saved from God. Why should we need to be saved from God? Pick up the book and find out!!
May 30, 2025
Not a bad book at all, just not on topic. I thought based on the title that this would be a study of God’s wrath, potentially hell, and what Jesus has saved us from. The first section talked about hell, but the rest of the book discussed how we were saved and what we were saved for. Excellent, well written, and important information! But a bit disappointing to only have a small portion of the book be dedicated directly to the topic.
August 1, 2025
“We are saved by God, from God, and for God! This is the full irony of the drama of salvation.” -R.C. Sproul
Fantastic book that clearly explains our need for salvation, how it’s accomplished, who accomplishes it, and its relevance to us today. R.C. does a great job giving logical arguments and detailed illustrations on hard topics that make them easy to understand and anticipate the day we see God face to face!
Fantastic book that clearly explains our need for salvation, how it’s accomplished, who accomplishes it, and its relevance to us today. R.C. does a great job giving logical arguments and detailed illustrations on hard topics that make them easy to understand and anticipate the day we see God face to face!
March 21, 2022
Amazing little book
Another great book written by a man of God who love Christ and His church until the end. May the Lord raise more men like R.C Sproul to lead and teach His people!!!
Another great book written by a man of God who love Christ and His church until the end. May the Lord raise more men like R.C Sproul to lead and teach His people!!!
February 14, 2024
The most straightforward explanation of salvation I have read. This book takes a look not only from what we have been saved but also how we are saved and what we are saved for. A must read for any Christian looking to be able to explain salvation in simple, straightforward terms.
July 12, 2024
Excellent book. Very readable and personal, perfect for people considering the Lord Jesus Christ and recent converts. Still, if you're an older believer, you'll find plenty of theology to learn and enrich your understanding of salvation and sanctification. Strongly recommended!
November 22, 2025
3.5. It has all the classic depth and clarity that characterizes Sproul’s work. Yet something about the writing style of this book felt different than some of Sproul’s other works like the Holiness of God and The Consequences of Ideas.
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