by R.C. Sproul I recently heard a young Christian remark, "I have no fear of dying." When I heard this comment I thought to myself, "I wish I could say that." I am not afraid of death. I believe that death for the Christian is a glorious transition to heaven....

Continue Reading Fostering Fear of God...

by R.C. Sproul I don't remember the exact words. They went something like this: "He was a thundering paradox of a man." These words served as the opening lines of William Manchester's classic biography of General Douglas MacArthur. In this work, MacArthur was shown as a multi-faceted man whose essence...

Continue Reading Covenant Prosecutors...

by R.C. Sproul I remember a stained-glass window that adorned the library of my alma mater. It was situated above the stairwell at the second-floor landing. In leaded letters, the words in the window declared, "Knowledge is power." Every time I ascended or descended that staircase I cringed at those...

Continue Reading Developing a Passion for God...

One of the great needs of the church today is a renewed commitment to expository preaching and teaching based on a careful study of the Bible in its original languages. Many pastors, however, are pressed for time and find it difficult to dig into the text as deeply as they...

Continue Reading BibleWorks 8 - A Review...

Truth and Consequences by Gene Edward Veith One of the greatest social scientists credits John Calvin for the rise of capitalism and, by extension, modern Western culture itself. That is quite an influence and quite a tribute to Calvin. Nevertheless, though there is some truth to the claim, the specific...

Continue Reading Calvin & Culture, Reconsidered...

by R.C. Sproul The Heidelberg Catechism states, in the answer to Question 47, "Christ is true man and true God. With respect to His human nature He is no longer on earth, but with respect to His divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit He is never absent from us." This statement...

Continue Reading The Presence of Christ...

The inaugural class for the Doctor of Ministry program at Ligonier Academy of Biblical & Theological Studies was a success! Held July 13-17, 2009, at Saint Andrew's in Sanford, Fla., ten students participated in Dr. R.C. Sproul's class, "The Doctrine of Justification." Here is what some of the students had...

Continue Reading Inaugural Class for the Academy a Success...

Seek Ye First by R.C. Sproul Jr. As birthdays go, it's a big one. It is fitting and appropriate that we would mark the five-hundredth anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Trouble is, that occasion is being marked in at least two different ways. First, those who do not...

Continue Reading Where Is the Glory Found?...

Generation to Generation by Gordon Reed Many years ago I was privileged to know several great men of faith in the generation just preceding my own. I regarded these men with deep respect and even held them in awe because of their great knowledge and even greater piety. Looking back,...

Continue Reading Outlived or Lived Out?...

Ligonier Academy is pleased to announce the courses that will be offered in 2010 as part of our Doctor of Ministry program. For more information on this new program, please visit the Ligonier Academy Doctor of Ministry website.The Winter 2010 D.Min. course schedule is:January 11-15: Reformed Philosophy of Ministry -...

Continue Reading Announcing 2010 Doctor of Ministry Courses...

When I started seminary in 1990, I wrote all of my papers on a typewriter. Personal computers were available at that time, but they were expensive and out of my price range. In fact, I didn't own a personal computer until 1996. Like everyone else at that time, I did...

Continue Reading Accordance 8: A Review...

The following letter was included in Ligonier's recent newsletter sent to our Ministry Partners. It is nowhere near exhaustive, but it provides a quick glimpse at what we've been up to this year and some new things to come: We hit the ground running in 2009. This strong start is due...

Continue Reading 2009 Mid-Year Ministry Update...

Between work, school, and fellowship, we spend a lot of time rushing from one event to another without slowing down. Summertime comes and gives some a chance to relax. But how often do we stop to look at ourselves and how we are living?"We were told by the Lord to...

Continue Reading How Are You Living Your Life?...

Pro Ecclesia: For the Church by Derek Thomas Only one book is absolutely essential to save us, to equip us to obey God's will, and to glorify Him in whatever we do. Only one book gives us undiluted truth -- the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Only one...

Continue Reading Corinthian Enthusiasm...

by R.C. Sproul What does Paul mean when he talks about filling up that which is lacking in the afflictions of Christ if there is no deficiency of merit in Christ's suffering? Christ, Who performs the perfect sacrifice once and for all, nevertheless calls His church to bear witness to...

Continue Reading Buried with Christ...

by R.C. Sproul (Continued from God's Will and Your Marriage Part 2) From Whom Should I Seek Counsel? Many people resent the suggestion that they seek counsel in their selection of a marriage partner. After all, isn't such a selection an intensely personal and private matter? However personal and private...

Continue Reading God's Will and Your Marriage (pt. 3)...

by R.C. Sproul (Continued from God's Will and Your Marriage Part 1) Do I Want to Get Married? Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9: "To the unmarried and widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they...

Continue Reading God's Will and Your Marriage (pt. 2)...

by R.C. Sproul (Continued from God's Will and Your Job) God's will. Man's will. Our work. The other topic of perennial concern is our marital status. Should we marry or remain single? Perhaps in no other area of human activity do Christians expend more decision-making energy than in the area...

Continue Reading God's Will and Your Marriage (pt. 1)...

Join Ligon Duncan, Sinclair Ferguson, Steven Lawson, and R.C. Sproul for Ligonier's first annual Leadership Conference in Sanford, Florida, on October 20-22, 2009. Are you a church leader who needs a time of refreshment, a chance to refocus, and an opportunity for fellowship with fellow ministry workers? This conference is for you. Your...

Continue Reading Training Up Church Leaders for a New Reformation...

by Martin Banzhaf, Global Outreach CoordinatorOn the recent Ligonier tour of Reformation sites, Dr. Sproul met up with Sebastian Heck Ligonier's German project coordinator in the historic city of Heidelberg where he is church planting. Being involved with publishing both in print and on the internet, Sebastian is the leader...

Continue Reading Announcing the German Translation of The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul...

In The Consequences of Ideas, recently released for the first time in paperback, readers are challenged to take the consequences of ideas seriously through this expert survey of history's most influential philosophies--philosophies that continue to shape our lives for better or for worse today. R.C. Sproul surveys the ongoing impact of history's...

Continue Reading R.C. Sproul's Overview of Philosophy Now Available in Paperback...

Tolle Lege: Take Up and Read by Keith A. Mathison The year 2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. A number of publishers are celebrating this 'Calvin Quincentennial' by releasing new books on the life, work, and teaching of Calvin. Among these are a new book...

Continue Reading The Glory of God...

This is the last week to get the reduced rates (a $200 savings) for inside and window staterooms on Ligonier Ministries' 2009 Pacific Northwest Cruise.Make plans now to join us aboard the beautiful Celebrity Mercury as we journey from Seattle to various parts of British Columbia September 28 - October...

Continue Reading Last Week to Get Reduced Rates for our Pacific Northwest Study Cruise...

Pastor's Perspective by Philip G. Ryken As far as John Calvin was concerned, almost nothing was more urgent for the church than the reformation of pastoral ministry. For centuries, most ministers had been shockingly ignorant of the Scriptures and thus ill-equipped to preach the gospel. As Calvin said in one...

Continue Reading The Pastor Scholar...

After several years of planning, it's with no small amount of gratitude to the Lord that we acknowledge today's first formal Doctor of Ministry class at Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies. Dr. R.C. Sproul will teach the class of pastors from around the country who have travelled to study...

Continue Reading Inaugural D.Min. Class Begins Today...

by R.C. Sproul We speak of God as the immortal, invisible, all-wise God. This string of attributes gives some comfort and no small amount of dismay. That God is immortal makes me glad. It means simply that He cannot and therefore will never die. I need not worry that He...

Continue Reading Longing for Fellowship...

Our purpose is to help Christians know what they believe, why they believe it, how to live it, and how to share it. That is why we often recommend books and teaching resources that point you to the giants of the faith and their works -- like Augustine, Luther, Calvin,...

Continue Reading A Trusted Guide to the Great Doctrines of Christian Faith...

The Expository Genius of John Calvin, by Steven J. Lawson, considers Calvin's life and work, surveying the distinguishing marks of his pulpit ministry and the core presuppositions that undergirded his biblical preaching. In Chapter 1 Dr. Lawson reveals Calvin's sudden conversion. "It was while he was studying at Bourges that Calvin...

Continue Reading Meet John Calvin, the Preacher...

Though his name evokes powerful images ⎯ most of them being negative ⎯ John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology, edited by Burk Parsons, offers a rich portrait of a man whose example and teaching remain vitally relevant today. In the preface, Parsons writes "above all Calvin was...

Continue Reading See the Heart of John Calvin...

While many Christians throughout the world are familiar with the name John Calvin, most are unfamiliar with him as a man who was devoted to prayer and the ministry of God's Word. Among many things, he was a father, a teacher, a Bible commentator and the theologian most widely known...

Continue Reading Calvinism Speaks to All of Life...

500 years ago today, the great reformed John Calvin was born. In honor of this special occasion, we are offering Burk Parsons' book John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology for a donation of any amount. This one day offer can be ordered online or by calling our resource consultants...

Continue Reading Get John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology for a Donation of Any Amount...

Ligonier Ministries is joining in the celebration of John Calvin's 500th birthday (July 10) by offering special deals all week.Today only, get The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steven J. Lawson for a donation of any amount. You can order online or call our resource consultants at 800-435-4343 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST."Through...

Continue Reading Special Offer: Get The Expository Genius of John Calvin for a Donation of Any Amount...

Right Now Counts Forever by R.C. Sproul Thinkers in the ancient world sought to plumb the depths of ultimate reality. With that quest for ultimate reality came the birth of the discipline of philosophy. Some philosophers focused on one particular aspect of philosophy called metaphysics (ultimate being). Others focused their...

Continue Reading The Theologian...

The one-day specials continue this week as we celebrate 500 years of John Calvin (July 10).Get Joel Beeke's book Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism for a donation of any amount. You can order online or call our resource consultants at 800-435-4343 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST."Living for God's...

Continue Reading Get Living for God's Glory for a Donation of Any Amount...

John Calvin's 500th birthday is this coming Friday. This week, we're celebrating by offering daily specials for a donation of any amount.Today only, get a black leather Reformation Study Bible for a donation of any amount. This is a call-in offer only and is not available online. To take advantage of...

Continue Reading Today Only: Get a Reformation Study Bible for a Donation of Any Amount...

At Ligonier Ministries, we're having a week-long celebration of John Calvin's 500th birthday (July 10) by having special one-day offers all week long.Today only for a donation of any amount, you can receive a one-year Tabletalk subscription for yourself or someone else as a gift. This is a call-in offer only and is...

Continue Reading Calvin Week Daily Specials: Get Tabletalk for a Donation of Any Amount...

by R.C. Sproul There are church buildings that are designed to give no hint of the building's true purpose as a house of worship. They're built to look more like town meeting halls. The chancel is no longer called the chancel, it's called the stage. The pulpit is not called...

Continue Reading Recreating the Tower of Babel...

Both Peter and Paul call us to submit to governing authorities. In light of that, is revolution ever possible for a Christian, and if so, under what circumstances? It certainly is clear that the New Testament puts an emphasis on the Christian's responsibility to be a model of civil obedience....

Continue Reading Christians and Government...

Read feature articles on John Calvin by R.C. Sproul, Thabiti Anyabwile, Rick Gamble, David Hall, Keith Mathison, Iain Murray, David Powlison, Gordon Reed, Philip Ryken, and Derek Thomas. You can also enjoy the daily devotional studies that will continue this month on 1 Timothy.   Open publication - Free publishing...

Continue Reading Read the Entire July Issue of Tabletalk on John Calvin Online...

In 1991, Phillip Johnson published Darwin on Trial. In 1996, Michael Behe published Darwin's Black Box. In 1998, William Dembski published The Design Inference. While numerous other books on the subject have been published, these three books are considered landmark works in the discussion over intelligent design. Now there is...

Continue Reading Signature in the Cell...

Now available for a limited time, get a special reduced rate (a $200 savings) for inside and window staterooms on Ligonier Ministries' 2009 Pacific Northwest Cruise.On September 28-October 2, join R.C. Sproul and Michael Horton as they discuss the importance of the church. Journey from Seattle to various parts of...

Continue Reading New Low Prices for the 2009 Pacific Northwest Cruise...

Available for a limited time, these posters of John Calvin illustrated by Kent Barton come pre-assembled in a poster tube. They are a beautiful addition to any office or workspace. Buy one today for $8....

Continue Reading John Calvin Posters Now Available...

Coram Deo: Living Before the Face of God by Burk Parsons John Calvin was a churchman for all ages. He was a reformer par excellence. He was a godly pastor who equipped his people for ministry. He was a humble revolutionary. He was a loyal husband, father, and friend. But...

Continue Reading Good Old Calvinism...

The July edition of Tabletalk is out. This month's theme is "John Calvin" and, on the five hundredth anniversary of his birth, it focuses on the ministry and the legacy of the great reformer. Contributors include R.C. Sproul, Thabiti Anyabwile, Rick Gamble, David Hall, Keith Mathison, Iain Murray, David Powlison,...

Continue Reading Columns from Tabletalk Magazine, July 2009...

Over the course of several months, Keith Mathison put together a list of his top 5 commentaries for each book of the Bible. With his recommendations of commentaries for Malachi and Revelation, he has now completed both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Here is a round-up of the...

Continue Reading Top Commentaries on Every Book of the Bible...