The Assurance of Salvation: Biblical Hope for Our Struggles

by Robert A. Peterson

Overview

For years, Robert A. Peterson taught about the assurance of salvation in seminary and Sunday school classrooms. He was concerned, however, to find that some people, for a variety of reasons, were unable to grasp the certainty of their salvation. The Assurance of Salvation identifies these "troublers" of assurance and provides the remedy to diffuse insecurity.

Peterson asserts that difficult backgrounds and experiences, intellectual doubts, tender consciences, habitual sins, and overconfidence that people face are the enemies of assurance. Through a competent handling of the Bible, he explains that by embracing three gifts from God—His Word, His Spirit, and His work in our lives—those who struggle with insecurity are able to personally experience the freedom of God's assurance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310516323
Publisher:	Zondervan Academic
Publication date:	03/26/2019
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,054,012
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Robert A. Peterson was professor of systematic theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is author or editor of twenty books, including Salvation Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ (Crossway, 2012), Our Secure Salvation: Preservation and Apostasy (P&R Publishing, 2009), and, coedited with Christopher Morgan, Hell Under Fire (Zondervan, 2004).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Part One: Troublers of Assurance 2. Difficult backgrounds and experiences 3. Intellectual doubts 4. Tender consciences and fears 5. Habitual sins and others’ apostasy 6. Overconfidence Part Two: Finding Assurance 7. God assures us through the Word. 8. God assures us through the Holy Spirit within. 9. God assures us by working in our lives. 10. We must hold together the three ways that God assures us. 11. Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

This useful and enlightening study combines personal testimonies, biblical exposition, and pastoral counsel. The result is a highly readable survey of the all-important theme of Christian assurance. Writing with admirable brevity and clarity, the author covers dozens of the most important biblical passages in an organized and creative fashion. Most Christians struggle with assurance at some point, sometimes at multiple points. This book connects readers with resources to diagnose their spiritual insecurity and restore their confidence in Christ. It is well suited for both personal and small group use.

ROBERT W. YARBROUGH

This treatment of assurance weaves together a rare combination of biblical study and practical outworking. The former includes the assurance built into the promises of the gospel, the confirming work of the Spirit, and the attesting witness of a transformed life; the latter deploys many stories and years of pastoral experience. This book promises to bring godly confidence and quiet comfort to many troubled believers.

D. A. CARSON

In this well-crafted book on assurance, Robert Peterson brings to bear a wealth of experience in teaching, writing, and ministering to make one of his best contributions to the church. Not only does this volume reflect a lifetime of thought on the doctrine of perseverance, it also flows from a pastor's heart, as well as from the author's deep experience of walking with the Lord. The work is filled with careful biblical exegesis, wise theological insight, and real-life anecdotes. There are other fine books on the believer's assurance of salvation, but this one sets a new standard.

DANIEL EBERT

Sooner or later, every Christian wonders, 'Am I really a Christian? Jesus might be real. But am I?' This bewildering, terrifying, common experience is why Robert Peterson has written The Assurance of Salvation: Biblical Hope for Our Struggles. This honest and biblical book guides us away from saying to God, 'But this time I really mean it,' and toward hearing God say to us, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'

RAY ORTLUND

Robert Peterson lays the foundation of Jesus Christ as the only solid ground for assurance of salvation and then builds upon that foundation with the doctrines of the Holy Spirit's comforting testimony and holy fruit. This book radiates scriptural clarity and heartfelt compassion for people struggling to find rest for their souls in God's everlasting love.

JOEL R. BEEKE