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BOOK REVIEW: The Consequences of Ideas by R.C. Sproul

By James Jeffery

Author: R.C. Sproul

Publisher: Crossway

Year: 2025

Ideas have consequences.

The twentieth century was the bloodiest in human history, largely evil ideas were put into practice. The Third Reich was built on the wicked ideas of a megalomaniac, resulting in millions of deaths. Hundreds more millions were murdered by 20^th century communist dictators who sought implement Karl Marx’s utopian fantasies. Countless others remain imprisoned under totalitarian regimes to this day.

By contrast, the truths of Scripture shaped much of Western civilisation. While the West is itself flawed, it is easy to take for granted the many blessings we enjoy. The presumption of innocence (“Innocent until proven guilty”), the dignity of human life, and the belief that even political leaders are subject to the authority of law (Lex Rex) are not universal norms— they are rooted in biblical truth.

Originally published in 2000, this 2025 reprint of R.C. Sproul’s The Consequences of Ideasis a primer which surveys some of the most influential thinkers throughout the history of the West. Beginning with the ancient philosophers, Sproul traces the key figures whose ideas have influenced the way we think and behave. Sproul’s goal is to summarise the key ideas of these thinkers, occasionally offering critical evaluation of their ideas in the light of Scripture.

One of Sproul’s hopes was for Christians to avoid ‘intellectual schizophrenia,’ which sees a separation of ‘nature and grace.’ Both are necessary to have a proper understanding of the world. Thus, he challenges the sacred/spiritual dichotomy that plagues the thoughts and behaviour of many Christians:

“It would be analogous to a modern Christian saying that from the vantage point of faith (grace), man is created by God in his image and for a purpose, a being with dignity because God has bestowed it on him; but that from the vantage point of reason (nature), man is a cosmic accident, a grown-up germ who emerged from the primordial slime and is destined for annihilation, a being with no dignity whatever. This confused believer affirms macroevolution from Monday to Saturday, but on Sunday worships the God of creation.” (p. 58)

The solution — Sproul posits — is to be found in embracing Christianity which acknowledges God’s two-fold revelation of truth: first, in Scripture, and second, in nature (Romans 1:20). This requires us to understand the world in which we live, leading us to wrestle with philosophical ideas and worldviews through the lens of Scripture. Sproul’s great ambition, in his own words, is expressed in the conclusion:

“We need to reconstruct the classical synthesis by which natural theology bridges the special reve­la­tion of Scripture and the general reve­lation of nature. Such a reconstruction could end

the war between science and theology. The thinking person could embrace nature without embracing naturalism. All of life, in its unity and diversity, could be lived coram Deo, before the face of God, under his authority and to his glory.” (p. 181)

Sproul’s defining quality as a teacher was his ability to distil complex ideas into simple, everyday language. This strength most prominently on display through his work at the Ligonier Study Centre from the early 1970s until his passing in 2017. It also shone through in the countless books he authored, including the present volume.   

His use of diagrams is particularly helpful making complex philosophical concepts accessible. For example, his summary of Kierkegaard’s ‘Three Stages of Life’ provides clarity that many readers would struggle to find in the original works.

The Bottom Line

While Sproul’s ambition was for all Christians to read the classics, the reality is that many have neither the time — nor the bandwidth — to wrestle with their ideas. Even for those who do have time, it is often difficult to know where to begin. Sproul wrote this book for the everyday believer who is seeking to understand how we got to the present day.

Without a proper grasp of the ideas that shaped us, we remain blind to our cultural assumptions and personal biases. More importantly, we neglect to realise just how powerful ideas are in shaping people, cultures, and civilisations.

For this reason, The Consequences of Ideasis an invaluable resource. It is particularly recommended for university students, who are increasingly confronted with worldviews and ideologies at odds with Biblical Christianity.