Not by Chance: Learning to Trust a Sovereign God

by Layton Talbert

In Not by Chance, Layton Talbert develops the doctrine of providence and applies it to Christian living. Does a loving God really control every circumstance of life? How about sudden death or other seemingly senseless tragedies? How does providence affect human responsibility in salvation or prayer? Rich in practical relevance as well as scholarship, Not by Chance teaches believers to trust in a sovereign God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Religion

322 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time that I read through this book. I enjoyed it more this time than before. This is an excellent book that should be read by every Christian. It's main emphasis is on the Providence of God. When you use this book and read in your Bible at the same time (which we all should do concerning any book) you begin to see that Providence runs completely throughout the Bible. It covers the Old Testament (most of the book), the New Testament (especially the book of Acts, and present church history. When you read a biography of a missionary, you can see God's providential working in the life of that missionary. Even today, if our eyes are open, you can see God's providence in action. If you read this book, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

[Tori Samar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who skillfully inserts multiple Shakespeare allusions into his writing gets five stars from me. (Sorry, couldn't resist). On a more serious note, though, it was my pleasure to read this book. To borrow something Dr. Talbert said toward the end, there isn't really any new material here; the topics of God's sovereignty and providence have been explored in many a sermon and many a theology book. So no, this book doesn't stand out because it says something new and clever. It stands out because it (kindly) hits you over the head with solid Bible exposition, from the Old to the New Testament, until you are simply left to say, "Wow. This is the God I serve. Nothing—absolutely nothing—happens by chance. His providence moves in the greatest and smallest of moments." I must also say, the book's final chapter about the relationship between God's providence and our prayer is phenomenal. I am reminded anew of how vital prayer is to the Christian life, not in spite of God's providence but because of God's providence.

I walk away from this book challenged, because it made me realize that I have been guilty of living as a practical atheist, a person who easily sees God's providence in the amazing, surprising, and coincidental moments of life but forgets that God's preserving providence is holding the universe together and keeping me alive each day. He didn't wind up the universe (or my life) and then step back to watch. He is active in all of our moments.

I walk away from this book encouraged, because it reminded me that nothing happens by chance because nothing is outside God's sovereignty. Though He is never and can never be the author of sin, His providence moves in the free and often sinful acts of mankind. Dr. Talbert has no shortage of Bible exposition to make this point, including an excellent chapter devoted to the most heinous act in history: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

I walk away from this book worshipful, because it left me in complete and utter awe of my God, who reigns without rival over everyone and everything. Admittedly, there are many things Dr. Talbert and I don't fully understand, such as how God accomplishes all His purposes without overriding man's free will or how God's sovereignty and man's responsibility fit together in salvation. But thankfully, our lack of understanding is not cause for fear. As Dr. Talbert points out, it's an invitation to faith, to take God at His Word. And I take much more comfort in knowing that my life is in the hands of a God so great, I cannot fathom everything about who He is and what He does. There isn't much comfort to be found in God if He is so simple that finite humans can figure everything out about Him.

Fantastic book. No doubt this one will be on my 'Best Books' list at the end of the year.

(Read for the Tim Challies 2017 Reading Challenge: A book your pastor recommends)

[Lorene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helps us realize that God is sovereign and in complete control. No one dies until their work on earth is done. God has a master plan for all of creation. We need not worry or fret because He ‘gets us’. When we do not understand what God is doing, we can rest assured that He is working in our lives. Great read!

[John Searight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written book about the sovereignty of God. Must read for everyone.

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intelligent, accessible, and comprehensive treatment of a very challenging doctrinal topic

[Jason Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted over at my website.

Layton Talbert tackles a notoriously difficult topic and offers a useful overview and discussion of it in this book. I would recommend this book as a good starting place for those wanting to grasp this crucial aspect of the character of God.

The ups

First, this is a credible addition to the literature on the sovereignty of God. It offers a thorough overview of the topic looking both at the Scriptural teaching and the historical context of the discussion.

Second, Talbert offers excellent discussions on the lives of both Joseph and Esther, highlighting the sovereignty of God in those stories. Even more beneficial is his discussion on the sovereignty of God in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (pp. 178-187). Worth the price of the book.

The downs

First, I found the book unsatisfying theologically. While it addressed the broad topic helpfully, it failed to hone in on some of the difficult issues surrounding this topic. While this book is helpful as an introduction to this topic, for the size of the book, I would have liked to see a more focused discussion of the difficulties.

Second, for a work on God's sovereignty, this book lays an inordinate emphasis on human free choice. In fact, while the book constantly cites Reformed theologians, it studiously avoids the nexus between God's sovereignty and salvation, relegating the discussion to an appended article which is thoroughly unworthy of the rest of the book. Unworthy because it offers a simplistic handling of the topic, ignoring most of the key issues of the debate, and leaning into a fideistic epistemology ("[God] is not logical"?!) almost scolding Christians for wrestling with theology. The handling is deeply unfortunate, seeking out some safe, middle ground instead of engaging the most important aspect of the topic the book purports to cover.

Conclusion

This is a good book. For the average believer, it would be a great book to study through or to use in a Bible study. It will give a solid foundation in Scriptural truth on the topic of God's sovereignty. It does not, however, offer the incisive theological contribution to the topic that I hoped it would offer.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone questioning why it seems so many bad things are happening in their lives as well as to anyone wanting to know more about God in general. Dr. Talbert takes several Biblical examples and expounds on them, emphasizing the providence of God in each and every circumstance to cause those involved to have a greater appreciation for who He is.

[Andy]

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[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great blessing for anyone who takes the time to read.
It will change your view of everything and you will trust God more.

[Jensyn]

Every part of my life-from the moments of soaring ecstasy to the times of bitterest heartache-is a perfect gift from He Who is all wise, all powerful, and all loving.

[Bonnijean Marley]

This is a wonderful study on the providence of God.

[Elisabeth Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book radically changed my thinking.