Simon Cox Blog: Celebrating R.C. Sproul (1939-2017), His Theology, and His Work in the Gospel

Thursday, 14 December 2017

Celebrating R.C. Sproul (1939-2017), His Theology, and His Work in the Gospel

A faithful servant has entered into the joy of his master.

“We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because he holds tightly to us.” – R. C. Sproul (1939–2017)

Today, a legendary theologian passed into the hands of our heavenly Father. Dr. R.C. Sproul went home to be with the Lord this afternoon. He was 78. You can read more from Ligonier Ministries here.

Probably best known for his books The Holiness of God, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, and What Is Reformed Theology?, he was hugely prolific in his writings, including dozens of critical question short books, longer books, and Bible commentaries. As my friends here at Christianity Today wrote, “Sproul’s legacy lives on in generations of laypeople and Reformed leaders whose theology was strengthened and shaped by Ligonier Ministries, the organization he founded in 1971 to fill the gap ‘between Sunday school and seminary.’”

And Twitter is alight with praises and thanks for his life and ministry. Ronnie Martin, pastor of Substance Church in Ohio, explained Sproul this way:

Thanking God for the life and ministry of R.C. Sproul. What I learned and am learning from him:

1. The truth of reformed theology
2. The awe of God’s holiness
3. The comfort of God’s sovereignty
4. The simple, yet profound depths of the gospel

Forever grateful.

For many of us, Sproul was an early shaper of our theology. I remember listening to a cassette tape that he would produce on the Holiness of God and Chosen by God and other works. I had every single cassette they produced. (Full disclosure, my brother-in-law worked at the ministry so I got them cheaply!)

But to be honest, I would have paid much, much more.

I still remember watching him write on the board a list of great ...