Choosing my Religion, by R.C. Sproul, is the third in a series of R.C. Sproul books I have read in the past few months. The more I read his writing the more I realize I have a lot to learn and he has a lot to teach. In Choosing My Religion, R.C. Sproul challenges the reader to look at what they believe. He states that whatever you believe is your religion.

Choosing my Religion contains 5 chapters: Image is Everything, The Ultimate Spring Break, Whistling in the Dark, Rude Awakening, and Asleep in the Light. Each chapter ends with a study/discussion guide, making it a good book for a homeschool cooperative or book club. Choosing my Religion is not light reading. Don't expect to read it in a weekend or just before bed. I spent one week on each chapter, and needed to re-read many sections before I really understood what Dr. Sproul was trying to get across.

I was troubled by many of the student comments at the beginning of each chapter. Some of their statements are: "Just because I was socialized in Christianity doesn't necessarily mean that's the only belief that's valid"; "When it comes to a moral decision, it's not as if it's right or wrong or something. I pretty much check whether it's illegal or not"; "I try not to worry about heaven and hell because I think I'm basically good;" "The people who do claim to be Christian in some sense, many don't even believe in the Bible. Christianity is more of a social gathering for people now than it used to be;" and "I believe that there is some higher being, but I don't believe in, quote-unquote, 'God'." Dr. Sproul writes in chapter 1, "The statements at the beginning of this chapter were made by students who are in the process of choosing a religion. There are as many definitions of the word 'religion' as there are perspectives of theology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology. But let me suggest one that will give us a point of reference: A religion is a life-defining system of believed truths. Stated another way: Religion is how I complete the sentence: "I believe in?".

I found myself being challenged while reading Choosing my Religion. I wondered, do I know what I believe in and why? Do I know who I am? Do I know why it is important to know who God is? After reading this book, I can say that I have a better understanding of who I am, what I believe, and who God is.

As I stated earlier, Choosing my Religion, is not easy reading. I recommend this book for mature high school students and adults. I would not recommend it to middle grade students or non-Christians.

-- Product Review by: Tina Rice, Contributing Writer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, February, 2006