Foundations, An Overview of Systematic Theology

by R.C. Sproul

In Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology , R.C. Sproul shows that the truths of Scripture relate to each other in perfect harmony. This eye-opening series addresses a myriad of questions about the origin and authority of the Bible, God, the Trinity, man, sin, salvation, revelation, miracles, the church, the end times, and more.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Religion

Audible Audio

First published July 30, 2013

About the author

Dr. 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.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of systematic theology topics. Really enjoyed listening to this and reviewing the information it contained.

[Matt Hession · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent clear systemic theology from a reformed perspective.

[Jesse Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great audio lecture series introducing you to a comprehensive overview of what is taught in the Bible by the systematic theologian and scholar RC Sproul.

Sproul wrote many shorter books on specific topics, or summarizing Christian truths, but produced (as I understand) three works that were more comprehensive:

1997 - Dust to Glory: an overview of the entire Bible working from the beginning to the end of the cannon (12 hours)

1999 - Foundations, and Overview of Systematic Theology: this book (23 hours)

2006 - Truths We Confess: a line by line systematic exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith (34 hours)

Foundations does a great job of quickly and clearly introducing you to what is taught in the Bible and the associated ramifications, identifying alternative perspectives, and moving on.

I particularly appreciated the case made at the beginning for why we need systematic theology, and the subsequent case for the Bible itself. These two cases took up a large portion at the front end of the series, and is of course what the rest of the work is based on.

The teaching is very accessible, and would be best for someone just starting to learn about what the Bible teaches, perhaps after a first read through of the Bible.

[Huw Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mammoth audio book to get through but well worth it

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good overview of systematic theology. Sproul, as always, is very good at teaching in a very easy to understand way.

[Corey Keast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great overview from R.C. Sproul. Wish he went more into detail but he does in other studies.

[Matt Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of R. C. Sproul's lectures on an overview of systematic theology. As an overview, it serves to give the reader (or, in this case, listener) a sense of how theology pieces together as a cohesive whole. Sproul follows the remit for systematic theology: he starts with a form of prolegomena and epistemology before moving through theology proper, angelology, christology, pneumatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.

One cannot expect this introduction to systematic theology to be exhaustive in nature, but it does give an idea as to how a systematician treats a particular subject and fits it together with both Scripture and other theological concepts. For example, after defining and introducing theology proper, Sproul mostly focuses on 3 attributes of God.

In all areas, he presents the orthodox views and does not, in general, discuss competing views too much (though there are main exceptions to this in some areas of soteriology and eschatology, and these mostly for context or contrast) or become speculative. This helps to keep the focus on the flow of the systematic nature of theology, rather than getting bogged down in historical issues.

As such, this is a fine overview of systematic theology, and will be helpful to even 'veteran' systematic theology readers, but most helpful to those new to the field. One cannot help but feel the itch to pick up a systematic theology after listening to a few chapters.

I would heartily recommend this very easy to access (and listen to) series for those new to theology, the Christian faith, or those who feel they wish to see the intellectual consistency of the Christian faith but don't know where to begin.

[Noel Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good! This book gave an overview of systematic theology. If you have never wrestled with why you believe what you believe then you ought to consider going through this book. This version actually has Sproul lecturing in each session. He is a very good communicator and does a wonderful job explaining everything. Listened on my iPod.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't agree with all of the theology in this series (such as trying to understand God's predestination while ignoring God's existence outside of earthly time), But the majority of these lectures are very much worth listening to. His condescending attitude becomes a bit more bearable and predictable as the course unfolds. Overall, I enjoyed the lectures.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Foundations, you get a wonderful introduction to the beauty of Reformed Theology. I'm so grateful for men like R.C. Sproul.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undeniably R.C. Sproul is one of the foremost theologians of recent generations. His explorations into complex biblical subjects and his understanding of the Gospel and Christianity is vast and he also has a great ability to translate that knowledge to the masses in a way that was more approachable than the average highly accomplished scholar. That being said, if you come to his works not understanding some of his fundamental beliefs such as Calvinism, predestination and thoughts regarding end times you might come away feeling discouraged or like you’re a bit theologically dense. Most of his arguments are fairly balanced with evidential support and solid biblical backing. His predestination and end times arguments are the only ones that fall short on these accounts. Due to his fervent want to bolster the sovereignty of God, which in and of itself isn’t a bad thing, he can present the opposing argument to predestination of tension between free will and God’s grace as man taking full responsibility for salvation which is not at all the complete belief. As such there’s a need to gloss over his take on this argument as a whole. The same goes for end times and the rapture. He wraps himself up in double-backing arguments about how there is little evidence for this or that regarding pre-tribulation or millennial reign when other scholars would have plenty to disagree. While I can listen to what Sproul says about sovereignty, predestination and end times, I don’t tend to take in a lot of it as he does have a distinct bias. This is where I will say this foundational work on systematic theology is well worth the listen but understanding the perspective of the theologian is just as important because it allows you to listen to their points critically without absorbing every belief they have as fact. In the end the Bible is the only true authority and theologians are just here to help enlighten some of the text if God allows. Enjoy this read and hopefully it helps us understand some difficult points of Christianity a little better, what it doesn’t, seek God for.

[Andrew's Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul provides a rich overview of the fundamental tenets of Christianity in a plain-spoken manner. This is a collection of live recordings, seemingly purposely recorded for this purpose. The audio is good and the content is clear. You have to discern for yourself whether all he says is correct - but he is a fair teacher, supplying not only his views, but the reasons for the bulk of all he teaches. He shows his work, like mathematics, which is the best kind of teaching in my view.

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

R.C. Sproul is brilliant, and very helpful in this brief overview of systematic theology. It is only a primer, though there is plenty of meat here to be helpful for any reader/hearer. I was surprised in the section on ecclesiology that very little was said about church government. However, I would recommend the book/audiobook to any who want an introduction to the subject of systematic theology from a reliable guide.

[Mathew Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Sproul delivers exceptionally deep content in a way that every layperson can understand and learn from. Not so much a traditional audio book, this is actually a recording of his Systematic Theology course lectures, from the reformed perspective. Whether you are of the reformed theology tradition or not, this has value for every Christian.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of systematic theology taught in a way that is understandable. I have a great respect for R.C. and the way he teaches. I appreciate the way he would speak on multiple views held by others in the church and not only his own. I would recommend these lectures to anyone, church member or skeptic.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the listen

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview of systematic theology and a nice summary of many of Sproul's books.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent synopsis of several important doctrines. It helps that Dr. Sproul and I are on the same page for most questions and where we disagree he's courteous and fair-handed.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this overview for it's clarity. One I'll return to often

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[NG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of systematic theology. RC Sproul at his best. Educated laypeople and others will appreciate this.

[Andy Gruenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great companion on many of my morning walks. His style makes the concepts easier to understand.

[Wilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Sproul! Excellent teaching!

[Dwayne Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The starting point for my return to the Christian faith as an adult.

[Christabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Eight months later, we are finally done.

[Brandon Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Highly recommend for any and everyone.

[Ben Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of listening to this as a part-by-part lecture series taught by Dr. Sproul and I cannot say enough for how helpful it has been to me. R.C. holds a special place in my heart and I admire his knowledge of Biblical doctrine(s). Simply put, his desire for the truths of God are contagious and should make any professing believer want to drink deeper and rest longer at the springs of the Living Water. Highly recommended.

[Marcus Vinicius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reformed Theology
This series of lectures about systematic theology presents the main questions of the field with the assumptions of reformed theology. R. C. Sproul gives a clear exposition of the differents themes, giving the reader a path to immerse in the treasury of God's Word.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute treasure for the Christian. R. C. Sproul walks through some of the foundational tenets of the Christian faith in a manner that is complex, yet easy to grasp. Very worthy of being in one's own library and a fantastic stepping stone on a study of theology.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was much overdue need for me. Glad I finally got around to completing it.