Those thinkers who are most widely regarded as the titans of classical Christian scholarship fall heavily on the Reformed side. I am persuaded, however, that this is a fact of history that dare not be ignored.
—R.C.Sproul, Chosen By God
In memory of Dr R.C. Sproul, tonight, I will listen again to Election, preached from Rom. 9 by Dr. James Montgomery Boice+ at a Ligonier conference; a message which finally shattered my resistance to Reformed theology and Calvinism. The intensity in Dr. Boice’s voice and the authority in his preaching was like a dagger driven into my heart. I will afterwards look for every message I could lay hands on preached by Dr. Boice.
One day, I was heart broken to have learnt Dr. Boice had long gone to be with the Lord. Perhaps, he would have been my favourite preacher if he were alive. Now God, through Ligonier, led by Dr. Sproul led me to the message which changed my life. Ligonier became a source of spiritual nourishment online. I subscribed to TableTalk Magazine, I registered as a student on Ligonier connect, I bought and read a number of books by Dr. Sproul (kindle editions) —What Is Reformed Theology?, Chosen By God, Everyone Is A Theologian, Essential Truths of The Christian Faith, Knowing Scripture (my favourite) and many of the free crucial question series. I also received as a gift, Reformation Study Bible from a St. Andrews Church member whose Pastor was Dr. Sproul.
Far away in Africa without the benefit of meeting Dr. Sproul or sit under his ministry in person, God’s providence made available to me through the internet Dr. Sproul’s rich, biblical expository preaching. At a point in his illness, I personally felt Dr. Sproul should stop preaching. But true to his words —“I’ll retire when they pry my cold, dead fingers off of my Bible ” — Dr. Sproul marched on with the gospel.
Dr. Sproul’s ministry has truly had profound impact in my life. Knowing Scripture, a book by Dr. Sproul opened my eyes to biblical hermeneutics. I learnt the difference between eisegesis—reading into the biblical text what’s not there—and exegesis; reading from Scripture what Scripture teaches. This man is the one who taught me —from a distance— how to properly handle Scripture. Though sad, as believers we know he has gone to be with his Saviour and Lord. He has by now heard the words ” Thou good and faithful servant.”
My prayer goes out for his family, friends, ministry partners that the Lord will comfort them. Amen.
Grace and Truth 