So blessed we have his teachings. Don’t cut yourself short. You are doing the Kingdoms work like all those other gents at the table. I’m thankful for your channel and your wisdom and heart. Blessings to you.
Dr. Sproul has been such a tremendous influence on my life! Whenever I was being pushed towards error in my beliefs, he would remind me of the importance of staying true to the foundational truths of the Gospel ❤🙌🙏
Such a wonderful, wonderful post. I loved his humor. I witnessed it most w Pastor John MacArthur during Q&A or an introduction at a conference. My father had that witty humor as well only it wasn’t always pure as the years accumulated, but he wasn’t a pastor. As an Obstetrician doing the Lord’s work, he had a lot of material. Thank you for selecting the book titles and sharing them.
I never had a chance to meet him but I cried like a baby when he passed. Ligonier has helped me so much figure out what I was reading when I read the bible. I began in a pentacostal church, but what i was reading was not matching what I understood from church. I found RC on UA-cam then I found the app, then I found ligonier connect. Plus, since I was listening to so much RC, using my TV, my husband was listening too. Through this process my husband was saved. I still get things wrong, but RC and ligonier is probably the first place i turn when i am trying to understand something.
At least there are tons of his videos here on YT and on the Ligonier website! It's just sad because at some point we will have listened to everything available and then... there won't be any more. Glad to know we will meet him in Glory someday!
I heard this voice, remembered something from the story shared, paid attention to catch the name . . . research & finally found Ligonier Ministries - only to discover that it was the 1 year anniversary of RC Sproul death . . . I was heartbroken!!! But the library of information available, I bought numerous books, CD's & DVD's & library was completely opened up prior to 2020 - downloaded to 128gb thumb drive, took hours to download . . . even more available today . . . it will take a lifetime to get through all the lectures & sermons available!!!
Yes Pastor Matthew I miss RC greatly. He was my spiritual mentor over the radio on Renewing Your Mind for over twenty five years. He was truly a gift to the church of Christ. Praise God for Ligonier and all the content RC left us. Edit* I forgot to mention I had sent a couple letters to RC asking about biblical questions I needed answered, he personally answered both with more than a paragraph each. No form letter but a real thoughtful answer with his own signature. I’m tearing up just thinking about him. Thank you Pastor🙏✝️
I did not discover RC Sproul until about a year or so after his death. “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” was my introduction to Sproul. The way he took the basic tenets of Christianity broke them down into easy to understand bits helped me to understand the things of God so much better. His explanation of God’s sovereignty was so clear it helped me to understand that God really has everything under control. Sproul was a giant and he is missed.
The one thing that I really appreciated about RC Sproul was his clarity! I am not, nor can I be, a Presbyterian but RC was broadly Christian and appealed to people like me who were baptist by conviction! I, we, miss his voice today!
I didn't even know that he was a preacher - he was GIFTED to not only be a teacher, but a professor - he taught so that you remembered, you could not forget how he taught - he was mesmerizing to me Para clete - the Holy Spirit is my personal body guard, chaperone, public defender, bouncer, teacher & attorney all wrapped up in one!
Dr. Sproul was fantastic. Look forward to meeting him at the End. But I can instantly disagree with him on a few fronts, none of which would exclude him (or me, I hope!) as a father or brother: - Exclusive Psalmody - Head coverings. He believed the hair must be covered with cloth, I believe the head must be covered with long hair.
As much as a used to admire Sproul, that admiration is about gone based on his Gnostic Calvinism, which after having studied it with Calvinists and the history of how we got here, absolutely reject it. Not everything is wrong with Calvinism and people can certainly be saved Calvinist But but because they believed the gospel first and became Calvinist second Calvinism / reformed theology is simply not the gospel
I hope this is meant as sarcasm? Sproul gushed and fawned at the Roman Catholic "Doctor of the Church", Thomas Aquinas! This is neither reformed nor protestant behavior! I do not know any historic Reformer nor Protestant who thought the Roman Catholic system which Thomas Aquinas represented is Biblical Christianity! Sproul was very religious of course, donned in reformed garb, while surreptitiously selling Rome to the unsuspecting, deceiving many!
Calvinists amaze me. "Individuals are born doomed from the womb to a certain death and are to glorify Him by their destruction" John Calvin "But He turned & rebuked them saying "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them" Jesus (Luke 9:55 ESV) "If anyone hears my words & does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world" Jesus (John 12:47 ESV) Calvinists: "Man is so totally depraved he can't & won't seek God he is unwilling & incapable" Scripture: You were born when & where you were born to seek God (Acts 17:26-31). I could go on & on with examples of Calvinist conundrums... that have led many out of Calvinism & towards biblical soteriology.
John Calvin just read what this Psalm says. You disagree with the Psalm as well? ”The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away! The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”“ Psalm 58:3-11
@@Yesica1993 All of it. R.C. was an all-in Calvinist. "I walked into the classroom in Seminary & there it was on the blackboard REGENERATION PROCEEDS FAITH" Right RC, because it's nowhere in scripture!! And the confessions...are you kidding me. Both the West Minster & LBC immediately & blatantly contradict themselves. "God decrees ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER comes to pass... buuut your sin is on you Pal, you own that". I will not so much as recommend a booklet on prayer from him, JMac, Washer, Lawson for fear that another under-discipled soul will succumb to their false gospel.
Forgot the beginning of the Psalm. ”Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.“ Psalm 58:1-2 😮
@@mikelyons2831want to see where regeneration precedes faith? ”Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”“ John 3:5-8 ”I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.“ Ezekiel 36:25-27 ”among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“ Ephesians 2:3-10 Stop the slander. You’ve commited mortal sin. Go do penance and confess your sins.
I first encountered R.C. Sproul's writings when I decided I would get a copy of his book _Chosen_By_God_ with the aim of using his own words against him as I advanced a polemic against Calvinism. Instead I found myself very graciously and gently humbled and guided on a homeward path to the Doctrines of Grace. A few years later I graduated from RTS. I remain profoundly grateful for his teaching ministry and impact on my journey of faith.
I found Ligonier Ministries on the 1st anniversary of RC's death, shocked & heartbroken, to learn that he had died . . . I read the introduction for Everybody's a Theologian - where he was touring a university & spotted the sign on the door titled Religious Studies that had obviously been changed from Theological Studies, so he asked when & why had it been changed . . . still in the intro to the book, he described the difference between Theology & Religion . . . I was hooked, I had to buy that book, I could be a Theologian?!!! Me?!!! He changed my life, by giving me a drive into the scriptures.
John 3:36 explains it regarding the unregenerate, at least and even the regenerate prior to that. The key word, depending on your Bible version, in that verse is “abides” or “remains.“
Cracks me up, every time. I'm not even sure where it originated. But it's sad that many people only know him for that line. Hopefully it will lead them to further seek out his work!
I remember when the Lord saved me in August of 2001, I listened to renewing your mind on Christian radio every morning at 7:30. RC was a mentor of sorts to me in those early days of my faith and I have listened to him ever since. He was a true blessing. The book , “ The Holiness of God” also gave me a grand reverence for God that still sticks with me to this day!
As someone who discovered R.C. in the 90's, he kept me company on many a commute during a foundational time in my walk. One of a kind. I listen to him all the time still, and his series on Defending the Faith is just the best in dealing with chumps who want to dump on God. Thank you Matt for your ministry as well.
Indeed, RC Sproul was a total mensch [a person of integrity and honor]. My first exposure to him was through his book "Surprised by Suffering" that I borrowed from my Bible College's library as I needed a resource regarding a topical sermon about death. His concepts blew my mind and from then on I purchased his books whenever I can. Saddened when he passed away. He was a blessing to many :-)
Absolutely agree! RC is absolutely a gift from God to his people. Even though I thought I was a Christian for so long but he is the one who opened my eyes to the Holiness, Sovereignty, and Majesty of God; to know who we are and who God is. Absolutely grateful for his life!
Exactly, same here . . . I could have swore I've been "born-again" since I was a teen-ager - but boy did I discover that I should have been maturing for 50 years, not just sledding along for the ride . . . I didn't have a clue . . . thanks to RC, he gave me a love for reading & studying scripture & introduced me to MacArthur, I love em' both . . . their differences, makes it easy to see what the Gospel basics truly are, they agreed on those without hesitancy - stick to the basics of Gospel & the other stuff just strengthens your faith, not worth fight over, strong debates, yes, but not fighting over!!!
I was looking into Christianity and saw a free booklet on ligoniers website. It was a shortened version of "The Holiness of God" by R.C Reading about Isaiah coming undone because of the sins of his mouth really woke me up. Realized I should be undone this event was pressed very much in that booklet and for the first time I saw my sin and this need for a saviour. I have been very blessed by his ministry and believe God used him to spread the gospel.
Amen, Matthew. I to miss RC Sproul. He is one theologian whom I could always trust to give a Biblical Christ-centered answer to a lot of questions I had early in my walk with Jesus.
R.C.Sproul's influence on me was profound and long lasting. I saw him during Sunday School (PCA) in '92. I've been labored as a R.C.Sproul guy. I saw him at a couple of Ligonier Conferences as well as the 2007 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (my wife and I just left the PA, PCRT last week). I have 2 of the books that you posted and all of his commentaries, plus more.
I'm thankful for so much of his legacy being preserved in video and print. Unfortunately I never even heard of him until after he died but I have been blessed by his work regardless.
I have been blessed by Ligonier Ministries and R.C. Sproul since I was just a spiritual "sprout," going back to the late 80s and the cassette albums that Ligonier would release, notably The Holiness of God lectures on tape. Years later, I still support the ministry because they are so solid. I give thanks for R.C's orthodoxy and his natural gifts that were sanctified to the Lord for the work of spreading the gospel, even through testing times like the ECT controversy, among others. It's a wonderful legacy he's left. Let's do our faithful utmost to preserve and keep it.
RC's genius was a gift from God. I was a freshman at Westminster College in 1965 during the one year he taught threre. His only bad habit was his habit of smoking.
Sproul was a very gifted teacher/explainer of things. He talked theology, but he also had a series on philosophy. He could take very abstract things and explain them so well.
Completely agree Matt. Speaking of orthodoxy, it would be great to hear your thoughts on the Eternal Relations of Authority-Submission (ERAS) controversy as well as your thoughts on Law-Gospel distinction.
RC was "the man." I loved his orthodoxy, witt, consistency and the fact that he hit the 100 books authored mark before his passing. I actually have a friend that had the opportunity to meet a young dynamic professor named RC Sproul at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. He said the encounter with RC just blew him away. That same friend also had the opportunity to meet Francis Schaeffer at the L'Abri community in Switzerland with Francis's wife Edith Schaeffer, née Seville. Could you imagine having the opportunity to meet both RC and Francis Schaeffer in the same life. Wow!
I disagreed with R.C. On his view and understanding on presuppositional apologetics. Oh and then there’s the whole infant baptism thing lol. I truly esteem R.C. as one of the great theologians of our time And appreciate how much he has helped me to embrace reform doctrine. I only found out about him about 3 years ago and he has made a big impact on my theological framework well after his passing. I wish when I was pursuing my undergrad in theology back in 2008 that I had the opportunity to study under him in a classroom. He has been a blessing to the Church indeed.
Pastor Bob was a good dude. I'll never forget the time I was in drug rehab many years ago and a very sweet man who was having the same struggles as I said "have you ever heard of a man named RC Sproul?" I didn't know who he was back then but I sure know now! God's providence is such an amazing thing.
I'm actually Orthodox, Eastern that is. So I disagree with Sproul on quite a lot. But his teaching and devotion to Christ is a huge part of my journey to Christ's Church. May God remember him in His kingdom!
I'd like to share a dream I had about R.C. He was in a neighbor's parking lot. The house is that of an elderly lady that I know well. She was having a garage sale and there were some white church plastic tables set up with various items on them. I spotted R.C. viewing the items so I go up to him and say "R.C., what would you say if you were alive today?" And with that indignant John Gerstner voice R.C. used he said "What? I am alive!" And then I think I woke up. I was reflecting on this and thought of Matthew 22:32. God is not the God of the dead, but the living. I wish I could have met him. But eternity is a long time to get to know him. Praise the Son Jesus Christ for buying us with His blood and redeeming us from this corruption!
You nailed it, Matt. I, too, miss him greatly. What you shared is an incredible testimonial to his influence in your life. He had a similar influence on me. Starting with TABLETALK, RC directly led me to embrace and love Reformed theology. Through his conferences, radio ministry, and teaching series’, he helped me grow spiritually and still does to this day. Thanks for putting this video out there.
RC was one who helped me into the Reformed faith 35 years ago and also helped me how to think. I have no formal education in philosophy and he gave me a desire to understand. His standing for Sola Fide was essential to the church.
The only thing I have *ever* heard about Sproul that was kinda “strange” had to do with his church in Florida. The website declared it as “a reformed congregation,” but it was also _independent_ from the time of its founding (1997) until recently, when, in 2023, it became a part of the PCA.
His book "Now, That's a Good Question!" helped bring me to faith when I was in college. I have immense respect for R.C. and Ligonier in general. I'm a Tabletalk subscriber and I've read several of his books. However, I never agreed with his views on pedobaptism and I think he failed to condemn the Freemasons as strongly as he could have in the book I mentioned. Overall, he was an outstanding communicator of lofty topics to the common man and I thank God for using him to reach me for the Gospel.
I found RC in Nov. of 2018, started buying books, CD's & DVD's on Dec.18, 2018 - kept me busy up until 2020, covid & finally started watching utube videos . . . Something caught my attention, clickbait title of course but BATTLE BETWEEN SPROUL & MacArthur - I'm like, WHAT?!!! Someone who would dare to face off with RC? What's that about? Imagine my delight how they politely bantered back & forth, absolutely not in agreement, neither side backing down, both sides presenting excellent scripture to support their claims . . . but both still lovingly being respectful, laughing, agree they would not be able to change the others mind - obviously it was about, baby or adult baptism, rapture or not, amillennial or premillennial . . . But, not salvation doctrine that affects the Gospel - stick to the gospel, share the gospel & preach it correctly!!!
That book changed many lives, mine included. The late Chuck Colson said it changed his life as well after he was involved in the Nixon Watergate scandal.
2012 Dr Sproul's radio ministry played his holiness of God demon while I was incarcerated and that was the moment I came to Christ. I cried when he died and continue to tear up when when I think of him.
If you watch him in videos at conventions he was soooo funny too!! When I'm confused about what God is saying to me in the Bible.. I look to RC's thoughts on it.
Yep, I miss RC so much. My RC Sproul section of my Christian theology library is growing. Just finished reading R.C. Sproul A Life by Stephen Nichols and it is an excellent bio!
Thanks, Matthew, for this video. R. C. Sproul has significantly influenced my life as well. I was introduced to Reformed Theology by Sproul. I had a job where I worked as a janitor working the overnight shift at Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio. I listened to the "Renewing your Mind" Radio program while I waxed floors. I got to where I would save my change so I could buy tapes. Eventually I would read his books. I had served as a pastor in small rural SBC churches and my theology was birthed out of Baptist doctrine. I finally went to an SBC Seminary and was able to compare and contrast the doctrine of that denomination with solid, clear Reformed doctrine. The day came when I stepped away from the denomination and now worship and serve (teach adults in Sunday School) in an Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
After listening much to Billy Graham in 2018 after he died, I found RC Sproul around pandemic time and that pretty much grounded me in the faith during those challenging times. Still listening to him after all these years.
I've had a bit of a revival with him lately! I got saved in the mid-late 80s. In those earlier years as a Christian (I guess in the 90s) I listened to Renewing Your Mind on the radio. Once I got my own computer and discovered the internet, I didn't listen to radio as much anymore. I also couldn't get good reception at times. I somehow lost track of him through the years. I would hear him here and there, but not on a regular basis like before. It wasn't until I heard news of his death that I looked him up again. I didn't even know he had been sick. I was so sad when I saw him with the oxygen. By that time, he was already in Glory, so I'm glad for that. I am listening to him all the time now. I need to slow down because at some point I will have listened to everything there is and then ... there won't be any more. That is so sad to me. How I love the chalkboard! It's such a familiar and comforting sound to me. I hope he has one in Heaven. :)
@@Yesica1993Yesica, I listened to Renewing Your Mind working nights every night for twenty five years. I heard some series so many times I memorized them. They never got old and it helped me to answer objections with his whimsical words. I recommend RC’s best friend in ministry who passed before he did, James Montgomery Boice. He has a podcast called The Bible Study Hour. He was a giant of the reformed faith as well and wrote some great books. The best is The Doctrines of Grace, part of it finished after he passed by his replacement pastor. God bless 🙏
What I recall about R.C. is how strong in presense he was, but then over a few months he quickly faded. It seemed like he might have endured for years, but he didn't. He is in print and video so that a new generation will learn. John MacArthur is also strong at his age, but so many teachers are so much older than they seem.
I found RC in Nov. of 2018, started buying books, CD's & DVD's on Dec.18, 2018 - kept me busy up until 2020, covid & finally started watching utube videos . . . Something caught my attention, clickbait title of course but BATTLE BETWEEN SPROUL & MacArthur - I'm like, WHAT?!!! Someone who would dare to face off with RC? What's that about? Imagine my delight how they politely bantered back & forth, absolutely not in agreement, neither side backing down, both sides presenting excellent scripture to support their claims . . . but both still lovingly being respectful, laughing, agree they would not be able to change the others mind - obviously it was about, baby or adult baptism, rapture or not, amillennial or premillennial . . . But, not salvation doctrine that affects the Gospel - stick to the gospel, share the gospel & preach it correctly!!!
I could have swore I've been "born-again" since I was a teen-ager - but boy did I discover that I should have been maturing for 50 years, not just sledding along for the ride . . . I didn't have a clue . . . thanks to RC, he gave me a love for reading & studying scripture & introduced me to MacArthur, I love em' both . . . their differences, makes it easy to see what the Gospel basics truly are, they agreed on those without hesitancy - stick to the basics of Gospel & the other stuff just strengthens your faith, not worth fight over, strong debates, yes, but not fighting over!!! That's a lesson we need to learn from them today - churches that call themselves Christian but really aren't if it isn't about the absolute basics of the gospel . . . No one comes to the Father but through Jesus . . . Gospel basics . . . those are the churches we need to disagree with & try to reach those people, to believe in Jesus as the Son of God!!! Widening the rift between us over amillennial, premillennial, postmillennial & pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib is a ridiculous waste of time & dividing the church - God knows & I think we will all get there one way or another, but moreso likely if we are not fighting over it, but encouraging one another!!! RC is in heaven already & if John gets Raptured, well, they both will have turned out to be right, RIGHT!!!
Well, I disagreed with him on Baptism. And he didn't move me off Historic Premil. But that was it for disagreements. And I knew where we each stood. I would say J.I. Packer had that quality for writing too. Which was probably why they (and maybe Carson and Grudem) were the Posters for YRR.
He is why I’m a Presbyterian! I was listening to him on the radio for a couple years b4 I realized that his Church was 45 minutes away from me! I got to shake his hand after worship.(2012ish ?)
Why are the 17th century Protestant confessions used as the definition orthodoxy? Wouldn’t it make more sense to define it around the beliefs of the Early Church?
@user-kc7xk6wy2z The early church creeds were very much trying to model themselves after the Scriptures. It’s also bizarre to argue Protestantism represents true Christianity but not to seek to find continuity with our spiritual ancestors before us.
God used Dr RC Sproul to bring me to Biblical Christianity being raised Pentecostal almost 15 years ago! I miss that guy too!
I found Sproul after he passed and read his classics while i was deployed. Came back and joined a PCA church lol
O trabalho do Dr. R.C Sproul é usado por Deus até hoje para abençoar e edificar minha vida e ministério.
🇧🇷
RC Sproul was excellent. I read his book "Faith Alone" and it changed my understanding of the Bible and church history a lot.
So blessed we have his teachings. Don’t cut yourself short. You are doing the Kingdoms work like all those other gents at the table. I’m thankful for your channel and your wisdom and heart. Blessings to you.
Dr. Sproul has been such a tremendous influence on my life! Whenever I was being pushed towards error in my beliefs, he would remind me of the importance of staying true to the foundational truths of the Gospel ❤🙌🙏
Such a wonderful, wonderful post. I loved his humor. I witnessed it most w Pastor John MacArthur during Q&A or an introduction at a conference. My father had that witty humor as well only it wasn’t always pure as the years accumulated, but he wasn’t a pastor. As an Obstetrician doing the Lord’s work, he had a lot of material. Thank you for selecting the book titles and sharing them.
I never had a chance to meet him but I cried like a baby when he passed. Ligonier has helped me so much figure out what I was reading when I read the bible. I began in a pentacostal church, but what i was reading was not matching what I understood from church. I found RC on UA-cam then I found the app, then I found ligonier connect. Plus, since I was listening to so much RC, using my TV, my husband was listening too. Through this process my husband was saved. I still get things wrong, but RC and ligonier is probably the first place i turn when i am trying to understand something.
Sadly I only discovered him after he passed, but it didn't stop me from falling in love...
At least there are tons of his videos here on YT and on the Ligonier website! It's just sad because at some point we will have listened to everything available and then... there won't be any more. Glad to know we will meet him in Glory someday!
I heard this voice, remembered something from the story shared, paid attention to catch the name . . . research & finally found Ligonier Ministries - only to discover that it was the 1 year anniversary of RC Sproul death . . . I was heartbroken!!!
But the library of information available, I bought numerous books, CD's & DVD's & library was completely opened up prior to 2020 - downloaded to 128gb thumb drive, took hours to download . . . even more available today . . . it will take a lifetime to get through all the lectures & sermons available!!!
@@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181 Good for you. Enjoy!
Read him all the time. Chosen by God changed my life forever. He inspired me to read JI Packard...
Yes Pastor Matthew I miss RC greatly. He was my spiritual mentor over the radio on Renewing Your Mind for over twenty five years. He was truly a gift to the church of Christ. Praise God for Ligonier and all the content RC left us. Edit* I forgot to mention I had sent a couple letters to RC asking about biblical questions I needed answered, he personally answered both with more than a paragraph each. No form letter but a real thoughtful answer with his own signature. I’m tearing up just thinking about him. Thank you Pastor🙏✝️
I did not discover RC Sproul until about a year or so after his death. “Essential Truths of the Christian Faith” was my introduction to Sproul. The way he took the basic tenets of Christianity broke them down into easy to understand bits helped me to understand the things of God so much better.
His explanation of God’s sovereignty was so clear it helped me to understand that God really has everything under control. Sproul was a giant and he is missed.
R.C. (Righteously Controlled?) was the greatest teacher of reformed doctrine in my time, and this was a wonderful eulogy to him.
What about his stance on head covering, family planning and seems to be a miniority position?
I just discovered RC earlier this year and was truly hurt when I found out that he passed some years ago
The one thing that I really appreciated about RC Sproul was his clarity! I am not, nor can I be, a Presbyterian but RC was broadly Christian and appealed to people like me who were baptist by conviction! I, we, miss his voice today!
I didn't even know that he was a preacher - he was GIFTED to not only be a teacher, but a professor - he taught so that you remembered, you could not forget how he taught - he was mesmerizing to me
Para clete - the Holy Spirit is my personal body guard, chaperone, public defender, bouncer, teacher & attorney all wrapped up in one!
R.C. Sproul was such a brilliant and Godly man. There is other theologian that has influenced me more than Sproul.
I miss him too. Got the Ligonier app and check his sermons and teachings people post on social media.
Love RC. Probably the only thing i disagree with was his appolegetic methodology- i am on the Bahnsen side of the debate
I can think of 1 very big thing I disagree with RC. I dont like diet coke. Other then that I agree with all of what he believed.
Dr. Sproul was fantastic. Look forward to meeting him at the End. But I can instantly disagree with him on a few fronts, none of which would exclude him (or me, I hope!) as a father or brother:
- Exclusive Psalmody
- Head coverings. He believed the hair must be covered with cloth, I believe the head must be covered with long hair.
The only thing I'd openl disagree with RC on was his openness to images of Christ, especially inside a church.
You can just tell when he spoke. Hes in a better place now tho.
As much as a used to admire Sproul, that admiration is about gone based on his Gnostic Calvinism, which after having studied it with Calvinists and the history of how we got here, absolutely reject it.
Not everything is wrong with Calvinism and people can certainly be saved Calvinist
But but because they believed the gospel first and became Calvinist second
Calvinism / reformed theology is simply not the gospel
I hope this is meant as sarcasm? Sproul gushed and fawned at the Roman Catholic "Doctor of the Church", Thomas Aquinas! This is neither reformed nor protestant behavior! I do not know any historic Reformer nor Protestant who thought the Roman Catholic system which Thomas Aquinas represented is Biblical Christianity! Sproul was very religious of course, donned in reformed garb, while surreptitiously selling Rome to the unsuspecting, deceiving many!
Aquinas was a theologian.
@@catpocalypsenow8090 He was a Roman Catholic theologian.
Calvinists amaze me. "Individuals are born doomed from the womb to a certain death and are to glorify Him by their destruction" John Calvin
"But He turned & rebuked them saying "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them" Jesus (Luke 9:55 ESV)
"If anyone hears my words & does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world" Jesus (John 12:47 ESV)
Calvinists: "Man is so totally depraved he can't & won't seek God he is unwilling & incapable"
Scripture: You were born when & where you were born to seek God (Acts 17:26-31).
I could go on & on with examples of Calvinist conundrums... that have led many out of Calvinism & towards biblical soteriology.
Which statement in this video did you disagree with, and upon what biblical basis? Give the time stamp.
John Calvin just read what this Psalm says. You disagree with the Psalm as well?
”The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter.
O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun. Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns, whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”“
Psalm 58:3-11
@@Yesica1993 All of it. R.C. was an all-in Calvinist. "I walked into the classroom in Seminary & there it was on the blackboard REGENERATION PROCEEDS FAITH"
Right RC, because it's nowhere in scripture!!
And the confessions...are you kidding me. Both the West Minster & LBC immediately & blatantly contradict themselves. "God decrees ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER comes to pass... buuut your sin is on you Pal, you own that".
I will not so much as recommend a booklet on prayer from him, JMac, Washer, Lawson for fear that another under-discipled soul will succumb to their false gospel.
Forgot the beginning of the Psalm.
”Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.“
Psalm 58:1-2 😮
@@mikelyons2831want to see where regeneration precedes faith?
”Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”“
John 3:5-8
”I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.“
Ezekiel 36:25-27
”among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.“
Ephesians 2:3-10
Stop the slander. You’ve commited mortal sin. Go do penance and confess your sins.
I first encountered R.C. Sproul's writings when I decided I would get a copy of his book _Chosen_By_God_ with the aim of using his own words against him as I advanced a polemic against Calvinism. Instead I found myself very graciously and gently humbled and guided on a homeward path to the Doctrines of Grace. A few years later I graduated from RTS. I remain profoundly grateful for his teaching ministry and impact on my journey of faith.
What's wrong with you
@@plumber1874 If you disagree, tell us why. Being a jerk won't make anyone take you or your opinions more seriously.
@@MarkMay-cr6bv that's R.C.Sprouls line "what's wrong with you people"
I found Ligonier Ministries on the 1st anniversary of RC's death, shocked & heartbroken, to learn that he had died . . . I read the introduction for Everybody's a Theologian - where he was touring a university & spotted the sign on the door titled Religious Studies that had obviously been changed from Theological Studies, so he asked when & why had it been changed . . . still in the intro to the book, he described the difference between Theology & Religion . . . I was hooked, I had to buy that book, I could be a Theologian?!!! Me?!!! He changed my life, by giving me a drive into the scriptures.
What's wrong with you people???
LOL awesome! I will never forget that response he gave. He was right to respond in that fashion. We all to often forget who we are and who HE IS!
John 3:36 explains it regarding the unregenerate, at least and even the regenerate prior to that. The key word, depending on your Bible version, in that verse is “abides” or “remains.“
Cracks me up, every time. I'm not even sure where it originated. But it's sad that many people only know him for that line. Hopefully it will lead them to further seek out his work!
Lol 👏❣️
RIGHTEOUS indignation - He said it with absolute authority!
I remember when the Lord saved me in August of 2001, I listened to renewing your mind on Christian radio every morning at 7:30. RC was a mentor of sorts to me in those early days of my faith and I have listened to him ever since. He was a true blessing. The book , “ The Holiness of God” also gave me a grand reverence for God that still sticks with me to this day!
Too funny, When I was saved , I listened to renewing your mind on radio at 7:30 at night. Listening to sproul as a new believer gave me a foundation.
Humor is a wonderful thing to have
He was a hilarious man when he needed to be hilarious. And a gravely serious man when he needed to be.
As someone who discovered R.C. in the 90's, he kept me company on many a commute during a foundational time in my walk. One of a kind. I listen to him all the time still, and his series on Defending the Faith is just the best in dealing with chumps who want to dump on God. Thank you Matt for your ministry as well.
Indeed, RC Sproul was a total mensch [a person of integrity and honor]. My first exposure to him was through his book "Surprised by Suffering" that I borrowed from my Bible College's library as I needed a resource regarding a topical sermon about death. His concepts blew my mind and from then on I purchased his books whenever I can. Saddened when he passed away. He was a blessing to many :-)
Absolutely agree! RC is absolutely a gift from God to his people. Even though I thought I was a Christian for so long but he is the one who opened my eyes to the Holiness, Sovereignty, and Majesty of God; to know who we are and who God is. Absolutely grateful for his life!
Exactly, same here . . . I could have swore I've been "born-again" since I was a teen-ager - but boy did I discover that I should have been maturing for 50 years, not just sledding along for the ride . . . I didn't have a clue . . . thanks to RC, he gave me a love for reading & studying scripture & introduced me to MacArthur, I love em' both . . . their differences, makes it easy to see what the Gospel basics truly are, they agreed on those without hesitancy - stick to the basics of Gospel & the other stuff just strengthens your faith, not worth fight over, strong debates, yes, but not fighting over!!!
I was looking into Christianity and saw a free booklet on ligoniers website. It was a shortened version of "The Holiness of God" by R.C
Reading about Isaiah coming undone because of the sins of his mouth really woke me up. Realized I should be undone this event was pressed very much in that booklet and for the first time I saw my sin and this need for a saviour. I have been very blessed by his ministry and believe God used him to spread the gospel.
Amen, Matthew. I to miss RC Sproul. He is one theologian whom I could always trust to give a Biblical Christ-centered answer to a lot of questions I had early in my walk with Jesus.
A big fan of RC Sproul and the Reformation Study Bible he helped create.
R.C.Sproul's influence on me was profound and long lasting. I saw him during Sunday School (PCA) in '92. I've been labored as a R.C.Sproul guy. I saw him at a couple of Ligonier Conferences as well as the 2007 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (my wife and I just left the PA, PCRT last week). I have 2 of the books that you posted and all of his commentaries, plus more.
R.C. was tough. I like you too, Matthew. Also, J.Vernon McGee.
The only thing I disagree with (as a Particular Baptist) is pedobaptism.
I'm thankful for so much of his legacy being preserved in video and print. Unfortunately I never even heard of him until after he died but I have been blessed by his work regardless.
Regarding RC, shouldn’t you say instead that he was an Uber Mensch?
I have been blessed by Ligonier Ministries and R.C. Sproul since I was just a spiritual "sprout," going back to the late 80s and the cassette albums that Ligonier would release, notably The Holiness of God lectures on tape. Years later, I still support the ministry because they are so solid. I give thanks for R.C's orthodoxy and his natural gifts that were sanctified to the Lord for the work of spreading the gospel, even through testing times like the ECT controversy, among others. It's a wonderful legacy he's left. Let's do our faithful utmost to preserve and keep it.
RC's genius was a gift from God. I was a freshman at Westminster College in 1965 during the one year he taught threre. His only bad habit was his habit of smoking.
Sproul was a very gifted teacher/explainer of things. He talked theology, but he also had a series on philosophy. He could take very abstract things and explain them so well.
I like that both he and his ministry were so, well, "non-flashy". I could picture him as my next door neighbor.
If you have people that are like that. Dr. James White is one, Doug Wilson is one Doug Longcore is one and a host of others.
Completely agree Matt. Speaking of orthodoxy, it would be great to hear your thoughts on the Eternal Relations of Authority-Submission (ERAS) controversy as well as your thoughts on Law-Gospel distinction.
RC was "the man." I loved his orthodoxy, witt, consistency and the fact that he hit the 100 books authored mark before his passing. I actually have a friend that had the opportunity to meet a young dynamic professor named RC Sproul at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. He said the encounter with RC just blew him away. That same friend also had the opportunity to meet Francis Schaeffer at the L'Abri community in Switzerland with Francis's wife Edith Schaeffer, née Seville. Could you imagine having the opportunity to meet both RC and Francis Schaeffer in the same life. Wow!
A fortunate man in deed!
I disagreed with R.C. On his view and understanding on presuppositional apologetics. Oh and then there’s the whole infant baptism thing lol. I truly esteem R.C. as one of the great theologians of our time And appreciate how much he has helped me to embrace reform doctrine. I only found out about him about 3 years ago and he has made a big impact on my theological framework well after his passing. I wish when I was pursuing my undergrad in theology back in 2008 that I had the opportunity to study under him in a classroom. He has been a blessing to the Church indeed.
Pastor Bob was a good dude. I'll never forget the time I was in drug rehab many years ago and a very sweet man who was having the same struggles as I said "have you ever heard of a man named RC Sproul?" I didn't know who he was back then but I sure know now! God's providence is such an amazing thing.
I'm actually Orthodox, Eastern that is. So I disagree with Sproul on quite a lot. But his teaching and devotion to Christ is a huge part of my journey to Christ's Church. May God remember him in His kingdom!
I'd like to share a dream I had about R.C. He was in a neighbor's parking lot. The house is that of an elderly lady that I know well. She was having a garage sale and there were some white church plastic tables set up with various items on them. I spotted R.C. viewing the items so I go up to him and say "R.C., what would you say if you were alive today?" And with that indignant John Gerstner voice R.C. used he said "What? I am alive!" And then I think I woke up. I was reflecting on this and thought of Matthew 22:32. God is not the God of the dead, but the living. I wish I could have met him. But eternity is a long time to get to know him. Praise the Son Jesus Christ for buying us with His blood and redeeming us from this corruption!
RC Sproul is a legend and one of the best biblical teachers in the 20th century. I don't have to agree with everything he taught to respect him.
Thank you for this video. I only 'discovered' RC Sproul after his death. There are several videos of his talks on UA-cam which I value hightly..
You nailed it, Matt. I, too, miss him greatly. What you shared is an incredible testimonial to his influence in your life. He had a similar influence on me. Starting with TABLETALK, RC directly led me to embrace and love Reformed theology. Through his conferences, radio ministry, and teaching series’, he helped me grow spiritually and still does to this day. Thanks for putting this video out there.
It really is hard to believe, Pastor Matt. I miss him, too.
I disagreed with him on his stance of images of Jesus, but he was and is hands down my favorite theologian
RC was one who helped me into the Reformed faith 35 years ago and also helped me how to think. I have no formal education in philosophy and he gave me a desire to understand. His standing for Sola Fide was essential to the church.
RC was a great blessing.
He was addicted for countless years until it cost him. Wake up worshipers of humans.
Im buying that t shirt lol its awesome
It is amazing all feared and respected his intellict and speed of thought.
He was addicted to smoking. What got his lungs. We all have our faults.
I'm glad I didn't know that until after he died.
@@Yesica1993 He spoke about it on a Q & A with his son once on Renewing Your Mind. He quit many years before he died.
@@Savedbygrace22 Glad to hear it. And I guess it doesn't matter now. He's fully healed. It was hard for me to see him with the oxygen.
The only thing I have *ever* heard about Sproul that was kinda “strange” had to do with his church in Florida. The website declared it as “a reformed congregation,” but it was also _independent_ from the time of its founding (1997) until recently, when, in 2023, it became a part of the PCA.
Thanks for the heartfelt tribute. I almost shed a tear at the end. Blessings!
RC was my introduction to reformed theology. Miss the man every day.
His book "Now, That's a Good Question!" helped bring me to faith when I was in college. I have immense respect for R.C. and Ligonier in general. I'm a Tabletalk subscriber and I've read several of his books. However, I never agreed with his views on pedobaptism and I think he failed to condemn the Freemasons as strongly as he could have in the book I mentioned.
Overall, he was an outstanding communicator of lofty topics to the common man and I thank God for using him to reach me for the Gospel.
The only thing that ever confused me with Sproul is his closeness to MacArthur who is theologically opposite of Sproul
I found RC in Nov. of 2018, started buying books, CD's & DVD's on Dec.18, 2018 - kept me busy up until 2020, covid & finally started watching utube videos . . . Something caught my attention, clickbait title of course but BATTLE BETWEEN SPROUL & MacArthur - I'm like, WHAT?!!! Someone who would dare to face off with RC? What's that about? Imagine my delight how they politely bantered back & forth, absolutely not in agreement, neither side backing down, both sides presenting excellent scripture to support their claims . . . but both still lovingly being respectful, laughing, agree they would not be able to change the others mind - obviously it was about, baby or adult baptism, rapture or not, amillennial or premillennial . . . But, not salvation doctrine that affects the Gospel - stick to the gospel, share the gospel & preach it correctly!!!
R.C.Sproul: What's wrong with you people?
People: We're taking your systematic to its logical conclusion.
After reading the nice comments about "The Holiness of God" and finding out that this book was one of your top reads, I just ordered it.
That book changed many lives, mine included. The late Chuck Colson said it changed his life as well after he was involved in the Nixon Watergate scandal.
2012 Dr Sproul's radio ministry played his holiness of God demon while I was incarcerated and that was the moment I came to Christ. I cried when he died and continue to tear up when when I think of him.
Definitely missed!
He was like an awesome theological grandfather, Thank God he is resting in paradise.
“The Holiness of God” helped tremendously with my understanding of the gospel, I will always be so thankful for that book!
Same. That book changed my faith and sent me back to Scripture with fresh eyes.
If you watch him in videos at conventions he was soooo funny too!! When I'm confused about what God is saying to me in the Bible.. I look to RC's thoughts on it.
I love his sense of humor! He makes me laugh so much!
Yep, I miss RC so much. My RC Sproul section of my Christian theology library is growing. Just finished reading R.C. Sproul A Life by Stephen Nichols and it is an excellent bio!
Thanks, Matthew, for this video. R. C. Sproul has significantly influenced my life as well. I was introduced to Reformed Theology by Sproul. I had a job where I worked as a janitor working the overnight shift at Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio. I listened to the "Renewing your Mind" Radio program while I waxed floors. I got to where I would save my change so I could buy tapes. Eventually I would read his books. I had served as a pastor in small rural SBC churches and my theology was birthed out of Baptist doctrine. I finally went to an SBC Seminary and was able to compare and contrast the doctrine of that denomination with solid, clear Reformed doctrine. The day came when I stepped away from the denomination and now worship and serve (teach adults in Sunday School) in an Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
I'm surprised you didn't become a "Reformed" (Particular) Baptist like Jonathon Edwards, RC's primary role model ✝☺
There are other reasons as to why we chose to worship and serve at the church we are members of.
Excellent! I saw a video of RC talking about the Roman Catholic Church several years before I was converted and found out about Reformed theology.
After listening much to Billy Graham in 2018 after he died, I found RC Sproul around pandemic time and that pretty much grounded me in the faith during those challenging times. Still listening to him after all these years.
AMEN!! Loved RC!
Sproul's HOG is in my Top 1 list. ;-)
Amen and amen.
I've had a bit of a revival with him lately! I got saved in the mid-late 80s. In those earlier years as a Christian (I guess in the 90s) I listened to Renewing Your Mind on the radio. Once I got my own computer and discovered the internet, I didn't listen to radio as much anymore. I also couldn't get good reception at times. I somehow lost track of him through the years. I would hear him here and there, but not on a regular basis like before.
It wasn't until I heard news of his death that I looked him up again. I didn't even know he had been sick. I was so sad when I saw him with the oxygen. By that time, he was already in Glory, so I'm glad for that. I am listening to him all the time now. I need to slow down because at some point I will have listened to everything there is and then ... there won't be any more. That is so sad to me. How I love the chalkboard! It's such a familiar and comforting sound to me. I hope he has one in Heaven. :)
The strange thing is, I am not sure if I've ever read his books. I'll have to look on my shelves to see if I even have any. How bizarre is that?
@@Yesica1993Yesica, I listened to Renewing Your Mind working nights every night for twenty five years. I heard some series so many times I memorized them. They never got old and it helped me to answer objections with his whimsical words. I recommend RC’s best friend in ministry who passed before he did, James Montgomery Boice. He has a podcast called The Bible Study Hour. He was a giant of the reformed faith as well and wrote some great books. The best is The Doctrines of Grace, part of it finished after he passed by his replacement pastor. God bless 🙏
@@Savedbygrace22 Thanks. I've always heard that other man's name but I've never heard him or know anything about him.
This was very well done. Thank you sir!
How do I get that shirt?
What I recall about R.C. is how strong in presense he was, but then over a few months he quickly faded. It seemed like he might have endured for years, but he didn't. He is in print and video so that a new generation will learn. John MacArthur is also strong at his age, but so many teachers are so much older than they seem.
I found RC in Nov. of 2018, started buying books, CD's & DVD's on Dec.18, 2018 - kept me busy up until 2020, covid & finally started watching utube videos . . . Something caught my attention, clickbait title of course but BATTLE BETWEEN SPROUL & MacArthur - I'm like, WHAT?!!! Someone who would dare to face off with RC? What's that about? Imagine my delight how they politely bantered back & forth, absolutely not in agreement, neither side backing down, both sides presenting excellent scripture to support their claims . . . but both still lovingly being respectful, laughing, agree they would not be able to change the others mind - obviously it was about, baby or adult baptism, rapture or not, amillennial or premillennial . . . But, not salvation doctrine that affects the Gospel - stick to the gospel, share the gospel & preach it correctly!!!
Yes ,calvinist is false
Did he believe in limited atonement?
He was reformed, yes.
How about RC’s eschatology, which from what I recall, was the rare position of “ partial preterism?”
That’s one of the best parts. And one of the historical positions of the church. Dispensationalism is very modern.
@@michaelclark2458 100%
He also believed in infant baptism
@@johngodsey5327 Yet another thing he was right about
@@DizzySaxophone no he wasn’t
He also wasn’t right with his Calvinism
I wish I could like this video a million time...
Really grateful to God for RC Sproul...
He's indeed a blessing..
I could have swore I've been "born-again" since I was a teen-ager - but boy did I discover that I should have been maturing for 50 years, not just sledding along for the ride . . . I didn't have a clue . . . thanks to RC, he gave me a love for reading & studying scripture & introduced me to MacArthur, I love em' both . . . their differences, makes it easy to see what the Gospel basics truly are, they agreed on those without hesitancy - stick to the basics of Gospel & the other stuff just strengthens your faith, not worth fight over, strong debates, yes, but not fighting over!!!
That's a lesson we need to learn from them today - churches that call themselves Christian but really aren't if it isn't about the absolute basics of the gospel . . . No one comes to the Father but through Jesus . . . Gospel basics . . . those are the churches we need to disagree with & try to reach those people, to believe in Jesus as the Son of God!!!
Widening the rift between us over amillennial, premillennial, postmillennial & pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib is a ridiculous waste of time & dividing the church - God knows & I think we will all get there one way or another, but moreso likely if we are not fighting over it, but encouraging one another!!! RC is in heaven already & if John gets Raptured, well, they both will have turned out to be right, RIGHT!!!
Well, I disagreed with him on Baptism. And he didn't move me off Historic Premil. But that was it for disagreements. And I knew where we each stood.
I would say J.I. Packer had that quality for writing too. Which was probably why they (and maybe Carson and Grudem) were the Posters for YRR.
Its blessed me to access his sermons via you-tube. I think I need to start reading his books as well. Thank-you for this podcast, Pastor Everhard.
He is why I’m a Presbyterian! I was listening to him on the radio for a couple years b4 I realized that his Church was 45 minutes away from me! I got to shake his hand after worship.(2012ish ?)
The very first time I heard R.C., was the “Insanity of Luther”; been listening to him ever since.
My favorite thing about RC Sproul is that he affirmed head coverings for women.
Can't think of any other Christian leader in recent history that made God's truths relevant and understandable like RC Sproul.
I've noticed a alot of times in the Ligonier conference q/a,he was the first to give a response,an answer to the question.I'm thankful for R.C.
I never met him in person but I’m glad he founded Ligonier ministries which I benefit greatly from. He was indeed a giant.
His series about "The Holiness of God" is life changing
Why are the 17th century Protestant confessions used as the definition orthodoxy? Wouldn’t it make more sense to define it around the beliefs of the Early Church?
@user-kc7xk6wy2z The early church creeds were very much trying to model themselves after the Scriptures. It’s also bizarre to argue Protestantism represents true Christianity but not to seek to find continuity with our spiritual ancestors before us.