Book Review: A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity

A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity
R.C. Sproul
Reformation Trust Publishing; 173 pages.

Generally speaking, R.C. Sproul’s books aren’t quite theology for the masses, but they definitely appeal to the broad ranks of evangelicals desiring to go deeper in their understanding of Scriptural teaching. While maintaining something of an academic feel (Sproul has an earned doctorate from the Free University of Amsterdam, an accomplishment that required his first learning Dutch), his writing style thankfully remains warm and pastoral. If you haven’t heard of or read him before, you need to make him a priority. Few contemporary theologians have written so voluminously with such profundity and accessibility.

A Taste of Heaven: Worship in the Light of Eternity outlines a decidedly biblical design for worship. Lamenting faddish pop culture-driven worship on the one hand, while also mourning rote and mindless traditionalism on the other, Sproul seeks to uncover worship guided by Scripture alone. Characteristically, he makes a very thorough, cogent, and compelling case. I especially enjoyed his treatment of issues relating to contextualization – how to apply broader Scriptural principles of worship in particular ways, in varying communities. In my estimation, he remains true to Scripture, while charitably affirming our liberty in Christ on secondary matters.