Sovereignty and responsibility – Stuart Olyott

Part of our ‘truths in tension?’ 2025 Colin Hart lecture series.
We considered pairs of Christian truths that are often perceived to be held in tension, as if to assert one is to sacrifice the other. But if we are to ‘correctly handle the word of truth’ we cannot engage in any ‘trade-offs’. Rather we do as the Bible does and proclaim both joyfully, fearlessly and without compromise.

C H Spurgeon was once asked if he could reconcile God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. “I wouldn’t try”, he is said to have replied: “I never reconcile friends”. A right understanding of these two truths will underpin our approach to salvation, evangelism, discipleship and more.

Stuart Olyott is well-known as a preacher and teacher. He has authored numerous titles, including his commentary on Romans: The gospel as it really is.