Last week on 12/14/17, we received the news that R.C. Sproul died from a long illness and passed into glory. It was heartbreaking to me even though I knew it was coming. I loved R.C. in many ways because he was such a good teacher, and because I had the chance to work for him personally between Mar '89 to Sept '90. My memories of R.C. will be an encouragement to me for all my life. R.C. lived in faith, he taught the faith and he died in faith. He is one of my Christian heroes for many reasons.
When most people think of R.C. they think of him as a Teacher. He had a great combination of gifts of being an excellent scholar and a great communicator of truth. This was the first thing that connected me to R.C. He could explain the complicated doctrines of the faith in a way that even I could understand. More importantly, he could do it with grace knowing that most of us have never heard of the doctrines of grace in this way before. This also came across in all of his writings. He wrote and taught in straightforward language and thought. He was clear and compelling in his teaching.
In the same way, R.C. was a gifted Philosopher. If there was one thing I would highlight as R.C.'s greatest strength it would be that "he could do the philosophy." This may be a surprise to some because he was known to be a champion of theology, but it is also because he understood the undermining philosophical foundations of all the major world views that he could analyze an argument for its truth validity. Often R.C. would describe making a distinction on some point of theology and this was his ability to see the philosophical aspect. In teaching the necessity of making truth statements, to make valid statements, he one time bewildered his audience by describing the chalk he was using to write on the chalkboard saying, "This piece of chalk is not a piece of chalk." After several minutes of confused responses over what R.C. was talking about, he finally explained that he was deliberately making a contradictory statement, so that it would be clear that contradictions were false, and therefore invalid and deadly for both philosophy and theology. Life itself falls apart with contradictions. This realization verifies the truth of Scripture and that all true faith is built upon the truth of God.
Most of us will think of R.C. Sproul as a Theologian first and foremost. This is because he was such a titan of theology. His primary ministry was launched by the overwhelming transformation he experienced from the Holiness of God. Early in his ministry, he wrote his classic book, The Holiness of God, and from this theology of knowing who God is, he developed all of his other theologies. All of Christianity needs to be predicated on the knowledge of the Holy One, as we can see from his teachings. Not only do we learn so much from the character of God, we saw R.C. make a huge commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture or the truth of Scripture. These two proclamations and commitments launched R.C. into a position of being a serious theologian in the Evangelical community. But it continued abundantly with his equally vibrant defense of and proclamation of the doctrine of Justification By Faith Alone, which he attributes much credit for to the Protestant Reformers of the sixteenth century. In particular, R.C. had an affiliation with Martin Luther as being unwavering in his teaching of Salvation By Grace Alone, or Faith Alone, from which all of our salvation is developed.
In a huge way, all of this made R.C. a Statesman for Reformed Theology in America. R.C. had no personal desire to be involved in the secularistic banter of politics. He knew this was not his calling in many ways because it had no room for theology. R.C. did however interpret all of life theologically and had a great commitment to teaching about the Kingdom of God. His position was that he would not compromise his position in politics but describe all of the civil realms through the truth of Scripture. He saw Reformed Theology transforming not only the hearts and minds of people, the "Renewing Our Minds", but also that each of us has a ministry in life. There was a priesthood of all believers and our vocations are our ministries, to be done for the glory of God. R.C. rose above the tyranny of secularistic politics and spoke as a Statesman for the Kingdom of God.
R.C. was also a Minister in the Church for Christ. He truly cared for and prayed for the welfare of people. His whole ministry was for the salvation and sanctification of the saints. He believed strongly that the best ministry we can offer for all Christians was to help them become more like Christ and to grow Spiritually in their faith. We are called to mature in Christ, and although that is not a popular message sometimes, it is exactly what we need all the time. R.C. was extremely gracious as well, as I know personally from working with him. On one occasion when I had been struggling mightily with confidence and an embarrassing situation, he comforted me personally with all comfort knowing clearly the human condition we all face. He knew my weaknesses and accepted me completely. That spoke volumes and strengthened me forever.
R.C. was also a Brother in Christ. That is to say, he was all too human, he was just like us in every way, except for the fact that he was also so abundantly gifted. But he had his scruples, he certainly did not like all the frustrations in life that we all don't like. In his humanity, however, he was authentic and honest. In the same way, he had his human attributes as well. His sense of humor was a catalyst for his teaching, and a bond with us as a real person. He just really loved to have fun sometimes, and it was so welcomed not only for comic relief but to assure us that we too were normal. We loved his laugh, and his ability to make us laugh. We will never forget his "Detective Columbo" routines. He "just needed to ask us one more question ..." And when he would ask the audience if anyone didn't understand a particular aspect of theology, and no one would dare raise their hand, he then felt comfortable to ask everyone who didn't raise their hand questions about the subject. Yikes, he was always a couple steps ahead of us. His Dr. Gerstner stories were also like this, such as when Dr. Gerstner asked his seminary class why we should pray, when in fact God was sovereign over all things. After going around the room, and everyone was stumped, he came to R.C., who sheepishly, as a new theology student, humbly suggested that maybe it was because "Jesus commanded us to pray." At this response, Dr. Gerstner let out a huge laugh and a satirical response that, 'possibly, because the King of heaven and earth, the Sovereign Lord of all things, had commanded that we should pray, that then it was a good reason for us to pray.' Ha! R.C. still 'shivered' when he told that story. Gerstner awoke R.C., and thus a generation to our humanness in that we often can't see the theology right before our eyes, but then to our need to seek after God with all our hearts.
Lastly, as this could go on for a very long time, R.C. Sproul was my Mentor and my friend. His life is now complete, he has finished his race, he has fought the good fight, and he has upheld the faith to the end. He has taught me what an abundance of blessing God gives to a person who responds in faith in all of life. This is a great example of a life well lived. Although not perfect, he was faithful, and this is what Jesus counts as being a friend. R.C. didn't compromise on the big issues of faith or the distinctions of truth. He knew that small compromises were still compromises and that they lead to other compromises. He developed Ligonier Ministries into a multifaceted, and now world-reaching C.E. ministry that proclaims the Holiness of God in all his glory and for our sanctification. Because he was faithful to God he, in turn, ministered to me and befriended me, and countless others. He made the truth of God the central issue in all his ministry and demonstrated that the truth of Christ shines gloriously to give light to all the darkness of the world.
R.C. declared the glories of the Holiness of God and the Truth of Christ in such a way that it has awakened a whole generation of people. This glory and truth is what I now live for. Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone be the glory, SDG.
When most people think of R.C. they think of him as a Teacher. He had a great combination of gifts of being an excellent scholar and a great communicator of truth. This was the first thing that connected me to R.C. He could explain the complicated doctrines of the faith in a way that even I could understand. More importantly, he could do it with grace knowing that most of us have never heard of the doctrines of grace in this way before. This also came across in all of his writings. He wrote and taught in straightforward language and thought. He was clear and compelling in his teaching.
In the same way, R.C. was a gifted Philosopher. If there was one thing I would highlight as R.C.'s greatest strength it would be that "he could do the philosophy." This may be a surprise to some because he was known to be a champion of theology, but it is also because he understood the undermining philosophical foundations of all the major world views that he could analyze an argument for its truth validity. Often R.C. would describe making a distinction on some point of theology and this was his ability to see the philosophical aspect. In teaching the necessity of making truth statements, to make valid statements, he one time bewildered his audience by describing the chalk he was using to write on the chalkboard saying, "This piece of chalk is not a piece of chalk." After several minutes of confused responses over what R.C. was talking about, he finally explained that he was deliberately making a contradictory statement, so that it would be clear that contradictions were false, and therefore invalid and deadly for both philosophy and theology. Life itself falls apart with contradictions. This realization verifies the truth of Scripture and that all true faith is built upon the truth of God.
Most of us will think of R.C. Sproul as a Theologian first and foremost. This is because he was such a titan of theology. His primary ministry was launched by the overwhelming transformation he experienced from the Holiness of God. Early in his ministry, he wrote his classic book, The Holiness of God, and from this theology of knowing who God is, he developed all of his other theologies. All of Christianity needs to be predicated on the knowledge of the Holy One, as we can see from his teachings. Not only do we learn so much from the character of God, we saw R.C. make a huge commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture or the truth of Scripture. These two proclamations and commitments launched R.C. into a position of being a serious theologian in the Evangelical community. But it continued abundantly with his equally vibrant defense of and proclamation of the doctrine of Justification By Faith Alone, which he attributes much credit for to the Protestant Reformers of the sixteenth century. In particular, R.C. had an affiliation with Martin Luther as being unwavering in his teaching of Salvation By Grace Alone, or Faith Alone, from which all of our salvation is developed.
In a huge way, all of this made R.C. a Statesman for Reformed Theology in America. R.C. had no personal desire to be involved in the secularistic banter of politics. He knew this was not his calling in many ways because it had no room for theology. R.C. did however interpret all of life theologically and had a great commitment to teaching about the Kingdom of God. His position was that he would not compromise his position in politics but describe all of the civil realms through the truth of Scripture. He saw Reformed Theology transforming not only the hearts and minds of people, the "Renewing Our Minds", but also that each of us has a ministry in life. There was a priesthood of all believers and our vocations are our ministries, to be done for the glory of God. R.C. rose above the tyranny of secularistic politics and spoke as a Statesman for the Kingdom of God.
R.C. was also a Minister in the Church for Christ. He truly cared for and prayed for the welfare of people. His whole ministry was for the salvation and sanctification of the saints. He believed strongly that the best ministry we can offer for all Christians was to help them become more like Christ and to grow Spiritually in their faith. We are called to mature in Christ, and although that is not a popular message sometimes, it is exactly what we need all the time. R.C. was extremely gracious as well, as I know personally from working with him. On one occasion when I had been struggling mightily with confidence and an embarrassing situation, he comforted me personally with all comfort knowing clearly the human condition we all face. He knew my weaknesses and accepted me completely. That spoke volumes and strengthened me forever.
R.C. was also a Brother in Christ. That is to say, he was all too human, he was just like us in every way, except for the fact that he was also so abundantly gifted. But he had his scruples, he certainly did not like all the frustrations in life that we all don't like. In his humanity, however, he was authentic and honest. In the same way, he had his human attributes as well. His sense of humor was a catalyst for his teaching, and a bond with us as a real person. He just really loved to have fun sometimes, and it was so welcomed not only for comic relief but to assure us that we too were normal. We loved his laugh, and his ability to make us laugh. We will never forget his "Detective Columbo" routines. He "just needed to ask us one more question ..." And when he would ask the audience if anyone didn't understand a particular aspect of theology, and no one would dare raise their hand, he then felt comfortable to ask everyone who didn't raise their hand questions about the subject. Yikes, he was always a couple steps ahead of us. His Dr. Gerstner stories were also like this, such as when Dr. Gerstner asked his seminary class why we should pray, when in fact God was sovereign over all things. After going around the room, and everyone was stumped, he came to R.C., who sheepishly, as a new theology student, humbly suggested that maybe it was because "Jesus commanded us to pray." At this response, Dr. Gerstner let out a huge laugh and a satirical response that, 'possibly, because the King of heaven and earth, the Sovereign Lord of all things, had commanded that we should pray, that then it was a good reason for us to pray.' Ha! R.C. still 'shivered' when he told that story. Gerstner awoke R.C., and thus a generation to our humanness in that we often can't see the theology right before our eyes, but then to our need to seek after God with all our hearts.
Lastly, as this could go on for a very long time, R.C. Sproul was my Mentor and my friend. His life is now complete, he has finished his race, he has fought the good fight, and he has upheld the faith to the end. He has taught me what an abundance of blessing God gives to a person who responds in faith in all of life. This is a great example of a life well lived. Although not perfect, he was faithful, and this is what Jesus counts as being a friend. R.C. didn't compromise on the big issues of faith or the distinctions of truth. He knew that small compromises were still compromises and that they lead to other compromises. He developed Ligonier Ministries into a multifaceted, and now world-reaching C.E. ministry that proclaims the Holiness of God in all his glory and for our sanctification. Because he was faithful to God he, in turn, ministered to me and befriended me, and countless others. He made the truth of God the central issue in all his ministry and demonstrated that the truth of Christ shines gloriously to give light to all the darkness of the world.
R.C. declared the glories of the Holiness of God and the Truth of Christ in such a way that it has awakened a whole generation of people. This glory and truth is what I now live for. Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone be the glory, SDG.
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