If you have read the lead article on the “open theism” by Marvin Padgett, you will understand why this book is timely and to the point. I believe it represents R. C. Sproul at his best. He has taken deep and wonderful truths of the Christian faith, related them to the events of September 11, 2001, and helps us to think biblically about that evil and tragic situation.

In this easy to read book, Sproul opens up the topics of God and His providence in a most helpful way. He demonstrates how our understandings of God are on a collision course and when a tragedy strikes, our thoughts of God and life do often collide. Not only do they collide with what we believe is the answer but also with others’ views of God. He doesn’t hesitate to remind us that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ does not have very much in common with the Islamic concept of Allah. Therefore, the idea that we all worship the same God is clearly refuted.

He writes, “The heart of the Christian worldview is a concept essential to Christianity, the idea that God is triune.” Classical Judaism's God, as well as Islam’s Allah, are not the same as our triune Christian God. Although 9/11 brought together people of different faiths, which is certainly characteristic of America with its E Pluribus Unum, and while we must respect one another’s beliefs whether we agree or not, we need to remember who God is. Sproul reminds us that we cannot assume that everyone believes in the same God—because they don’t.

The tragedy of 9/11 also shows us another, often neglected, point about God which Sproul deals with effectively and that is God’s providence. “God is sovereign in the affairs of mankind.” If that is the case, why didn’t God prevent 9/11? Sproul writes, “In reality, I do not know why God ordained 9/11, but I know that he did ordain it because if he did not ordain it, it would not have happened,” p. 33.

You will appreciate Sproul’s handling of “purpose in suffering.” He reminds us that what we might tend to call a “senseless tragedy” is not at all. It simply reminds us that we see things from an earthly perspective. Therefore Sproul maintains that Christians should eradicate “misfortune” from their vocabulary. 

So why does 9/11 or any other tragedy occur? Sproul responds, sometimes we have to say, “’I don’t know.’ I can’t read God’s mind. If you were to ask me, ‘Was God involved?’ my answer, of course, would be yes. Because I’m committed to the Christian doctrine of providence,” p. 47.

Sproul wisely cautions the readers, and particularly ministers, to be extremely careful in what we say about God. We can easily present a view of God that actually collides with God’s knowledge and revelation of Himself. Buy this book and read it. Keep it or buy extra copies and pass them on to others. It reminded me of the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 139:17,”How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast the sum of them.” He doesn’t say, “How precious are my thoughts about you, O God”. We need to think God’s thoughts about Himself and not our finite, sin-colored, flawed notions about God. When Worlds Collide will better equip us for that task. 

-Charles Dunahoo

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