R.C. Sproul's Blog, page 24

Win a Copy of R.C. Sproul’s Biography

Throughout his ministry, R.C. Sproul was known as a pastor, a theologian, and a trusted teacher. But most fundamentally, he was a man in awe of the holiness of God. For a limited time, you can enter to win one of 500 copies of Stephen Nichols’ new biography, R.C. Sproul: A Life.

In this new book, Stephen Nichols closely details R.C. Sproul’s childhood and formative education, his marriage and partnership with his cherished wife, Vesta, his friendships with key Christian figures, and the enduring impact of his teaching on the global church. Don’t miss your opportunity to win this biography to gain an in-depth look into the life and legacy of Ligonier’s beloved founder.

Only 500 copies are available, so don’t delay. Enter the giveaway now to meet the man used by God to awaken generations to the majesty of His character, the truth of His Word, and the glory of His gospel.

Winners will be drawn on April 30, 2021. The winners will be notified by email within 28 days of the closing date.

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What Do You Think of Decisional Regeneration?

Do we need to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be born again, or must we be born again before we can believe? From one of our Ask Ligonier events, Steven Lawson outlines the problematic effects of answering this question incorrectly.

Ask your biblical and theological questions live online at ask.Ligonier.org.

Read the Transcript

 

Five Themes on Providence from the Psalms

In 1557, John Calvin published his large commentary on the book of Psalms. In the English translation, this commentary runs to five substantial volumes. This commentary reflects a life lived with the Psalter. He loved the psalms: he knew them, studied them, wrote on them, preached them, and sang them.

In the course of his commentary on the Psalms, Calvin gave strong expression to various aspects of his doctrine of providence. Five themes about providence recur in his exposition.

First, he recognizes God’s power as the active governor of the world:

He gives us to understand by this word, that heaven is not a palace in which God remains idle and indulges in pleasures, as the Epicureans dream, but a royal court, from which he exercises his government over all parts of the world. If he has erected his throne, therefore, in the sanctuary of heaven, in order to govern the universe, it follows that he in no wise neglects the affairs of earth, but governs them with the highest reason and wisdom.

Second, he declares that this active power should lead all creatures to honor God as God:

As God by his providence preserves the world, the power of his government is alike extended to all, so that he ought to be worshipped by all.

Third, he teaches that in His governance of the world God always acts as the loving Father of His people:

By the face of God, must be meant the fatherly care and providence which he extends to his people. So numerous are the dangers which surround us, that we could not stand a single moment, if his eye did not watch over our preservation. But the true security for a happy life lies in being persuaded that we are under divine government.

This fatherly care of God does not mean that His people will not suffer:

We are here warned that the guardianship of God does not secure us from being sometimes exercised with the cross and afflictions, and that therefore the faithful ought not to promise themselves a delicate and easy life in this world, it being enough for them not to be abandoned of God when they stand in need of his help. Their heavenly Father, it is true, loves them most tenderly, but he will have them awakened by the cross, lest they should give themselves too much to the pleasures of the flesh. If, therefore, we embrace this doctrine, although we may happen to be oppressed by the tyranny of the wicked, we will wait patiently till God either break their sceptre, or shake it out of their hands.

Fourth, Calvin affirms that confidence in providence causes Christians to grow in faith in Christ and confidence in living for Him:

Besides, the joy here mentioned arises from this, that there is nothing more calculated to increase our faith, than the knowledge of the providence of God; because without it, we would be harassed with doubts and fears, being uncertain whether or not the world was governed by chance. For this reason, it follows that those who aim at the subversion of this doctrine, depriving the children of God of true comfort, and vexing their minds by unsettling their faith, forge for themselves a hell upon earth. For what can be more awfully tormenting than to be constantly racked with doubt and anxiety? And we will never be able to arrive at a calm state of mind until we are taught to repose with implicit confidence in the providence of God.

Fifth, Calvin teaches that knowing that God directs all things leads His people to more frequent and heartfelt prayer:

Were they to reflect on the judgments of God, they would at once perceive that there was nothing like chance or fortune in the government of the world. Moreover, until men are persuaded that all their troubles come upon them by the appointment of God, it will never come into their minds to supplicate him for deliverance.

In his preface to his commentary on the book of Psalms, Calvin made a most remarkable statement about providence that went to the very heart and soul of the religion he embraced and counseled others to embrace. He writes that knowing the Psalter teaches Christians to suffer for God so that “we renounce the guidance of our own affections, and submit ourselves entirely to God, leaving him to govern us, and to dispose our life according to his will, so that the afflictions which are the bitterest and most severe to our nature, become sweet to us, because they proceed from him.”

The bitterest afflictions of this life are sweet when Christians know that they come from God, serve His purposes, and ultimately contribute to their good. Calvin had a truly astounding daily confidence in God and His ways, and he encouraged the same confidence in his followers.

This excerpt is adapted from John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology.

2021 National Conference: Day 3 Highlights

Today we concluded our 2021 National Conference, Right Now Counts Forever. Our speakers today included Derek Thomas, W. Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, Stephen Nichols, and Burk Parsons. As we look back on these past three days with gratitude, we also look forward to our upcoming 2022 National Conference. Registration is now open—secure your spot today and save 50%.

Look back on the conversation by following #ligcon on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to also like our official Facebook page to be notified of future Facebook Live events.

All of the main conference sessions are available in the Ligonier app for free. Simply tap the Events tab to watch now. You can also watch a brief highlight reel of day 3 below.

 

This Week, Secure Your Lowest Rate: 2022 National Conference

The holy character of God is the absolute standard of right and wrong. And He has spoken. Therefore, to reject Him and abandon His Word is to undermine the foundation of morality. How can Christians live with integrity as we engage a world where God is hated, immorality is celebrated, and the truth is suppressed?

Our 2022 National Conference will explore the crucial topic of Christian ethics. As we consider how divine revelation addresses the moral confusion that surrounds us, we can be better prepared to stand for the truth, love our neighbors well, and seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We hope you’ll join us next spring in Orlando.

Register by Saturday, March 27, 2021, to secure your spot for $164 and save 50% off the standard rate. This is the lowest registration rate we will offer.

Next year’s speakers include Sinclair Ferguson, W. Robert Godfrey, Michael Kruger, Steven Lawson, John MacArthur, Harry Reeder, Stephen Nichols, Burk Parsons, Michael Reeves, and Derek Thomas. Register today and save 50%.

Never attended the conference before? Watch the 2021 National Conference messages in our free app, at Ligonier.org, or on our YouTube channel. Additionally, you can still browse the online bookstore for special discounts on trustworthy resources while supplies last.

REGISTER TODAY

 

Watch Now: 2021 National Conference

Our three-day 2021 National Conference, Right Now Counts Forever, is now live. Join us today on Ligonier.org, YouTube, the Ligonier app, Facebook, and Twitter, beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. ET. As we consider the eternal significance of our everyday lives, we encourage you to share these messages with your family and friends on social media and download our free app so you can tune in any time.

Marking fifty years since the founding of Ligonier Ministries, our 2021 National Conference will consider the eternal significance of our everyday lives by equipping us today to better serve the Lord, love our neighbors, and make Christ known. With our glorious future in view, Christians do not have less of a stake in the present, but infinitely more. As Dr. R.C. Sproul so often reminded us, right now counts forever.

TODAY’S SESSIONS INCLUDE (all times ET):

8:30 a.m. – Achieving an Eternal Glory by Derek Thomas9:30 a.m. – Questions & Answers with Godfrey, Lawson, Nichols, Parsons, and Thomas11:00 a.m. – Go Therefore by W. Robert Godfrey

The conference will also be streaming in Spanish on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and in Portuguese on Facebook.

 

2021 National Conference: Day 2 Highlights

Yesterday was the second day of our 2021 National Conference, Right Now Counts Forever. Our main session, seminar, and Q&A and panel discussion speakers included Joel Kim, W. Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, Derek Thomas, Burk Parsons, several members of the Reformation Bible College faculty, Sinclair Ferguson, and Stephen Nichols.

You can join the conversation by following #ligcon on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to tune in to the main sessions here on Ligonier.org, on our YouTube channel, the Ligonier app, Facebook, and Twitter.

Our conference sessions are available in the Ligonier app for free. Simply tap the image at the top of the screen or visit the Events tab to watch now. You can also watch a brief highlight reel of day 2 below.

 

Did Anyone Believe in Justification by Faith Alone before the Reformation?

The Reformation recovered the Bible’s teaching of justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Is there evidence that anyone believed this doctrine prior to the 16th century? From one of our Ask R.C. events, R.C. Sproul examines the record of church history.

If you have a biblical or theological question, just visit ask.Ligonier.org to ask your question live online.

Read the Transcript

 

Watch Live: 2021 National Conference

Our three-day 2021 National Conference, Right Now Counts Forever, is now live. Join us today on Ligonier.org, YouTube, the Ligonier app, Facebook, and Twitter, beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET. As we consider the eternal significance of our everyday lives, we encourage you to share these messages with your family and friends on social media and download our free app so you can tune in any time.

Marking fifty years since the founding of Ligonier Ministries, our 2021 National Conference will consider the eternal significance of our everyday lives by equipping us today to better serve the Lord, love our neighbors, and make Christ known. With our glorious future in view, Christians do not have less of a stake in the present, but infinitely more. As Dr. R.C. Sproul so often reminded us, right now counts forever.

TODAY’S SESSIONS INCLUDE (all times ET):

9:00 a.m. – The Centrality of the Family by Joel Kim10:00 a.m. – Questions & Answers with Godfrey, Kim, Lawson, and Thomas11:30 a.m. – The Body of Christ by Burk Parsons2:15 p.m. – A Conversation on Life and Ministry with Sinclair Ferguson2:45 p.m. – Glorifying God in Our Bodies by W. Robert Godfrey4:15 p.m. – The Providence of God by Derek Thomas7:15 p.m. – The Word of the Lord Stands Forever by Steven Lawson

The conference will also be streaming in Spanish on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, and in Portuguese on Facebook.

 

2021 National Conference: Day 1 Highlights

Yesterday marked the beginning of our 2021 National Conference, Right Now Counts Forever. In yesterday’s main sessions, seminars, and Q&A and panel discussions, we heard from Stephen Nichols, Burk Parsons, Vesta Sproul, Ken Mbugua, Steven Lawson, Joel Kim, and John MacArthur, as well as myself.

You can join the conversation by following #ligcon on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to tune in to the main sessions here on Ligonier.org, on our YouTube channel, the Ligonier app, Facebook, and Twitter.

Yesterday’s conference sessions are available in the Ligonier app for free. Simply tap the image at the top of the screen or visit the Events tab to watch now. You can also watch a brief highlight reel of day 1 below.