Robert Charles Sproul, better known to us as R.C., went to be with the Lord yesterday afternoon. Well done, good and faithful servant!
R.C. had, and will continue to have, a tremendous impact on me. In fact, I can’t really even quantify how influential he’s been. I’m saddened by his death, but rejoice that he’s in the presence of God and basking in His glory. I pray for his family and friends, as well as all of those who knew him through his teaching, his books, his ministry, and Bible college. May God give us all peace and comfort.
R.C. has influenced my thinking and theology through his books. The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, Now That’s A Good Question, Loved by God, Everyone’s A Theologian, The Last Days According to Jesus, The Truth of the Cross, Knowing Scripture, Getting the Gospel Right, Saved from What? What is Reformed Theology? Justification by Faith Alone, The Invisible Hand, to name only a few (and I mean that).
My understanding of the holiness of God was radically changed, for example, by R.C. I know intellectually that God is holy, but after reading and watching the video series The Holiness of God, I knew it emotionally and to the core of my being. If God is that holy, and if holiness means what R.C. says it does, then He is immeasurably larger than I’ve ever imagined and He is worthy of all praise, honor, glory, love, and devotion. Not only that, but everything is about Him, not me.
R.C.’s audio and video teachings, conferences, and the Renewing Your Mind radio program (and podcast) have been mainstays in my life. They’ll continue to be.
What influenced me most, though, was R.C. himself. His manner, his style, his faithfulness, his fearlessness, and His commitment to God and His Word all made him charming, challenging, and endearing to me. I can remember the first time I saw him. I thought, “Who is this guy who looks and sounds like Peter Falk as Columbo?” Well, he proved to be a lot more than that in the decades to come. In reality, he became indispensable. He was a lion in defense of the faith, which is something to imitate, and someone I want to be like.
We’ll miss him. We grieve, but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Those who belong to Jesus will see R.C. again – we can count on that. We praise God for using R.C. Sproul to deepen our knowledge and devotion to Him. He was a gift from God to the church.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).
Well done and well said Larry; of course, it is your testimony about your life with God as impacted by such a servant as RC, as you took it in……lived, as you have put it out so far, and as you continue running the race, the impact must please God as we all work towards our chief end.