Oct 29, 2016

2016 Lancaster Regional Conference: Highlights

3 Min Read

Close to one thousand Christians gathered this weekend in Lancaster, PA for our 2016 regional conference, The Dawn on the Reformation. Together, we explored the lessons of the Reformation and their continual relevance for today. This was a refreshing time of edification as we looked to the past in order to face the future with courage and conviction. We continue tomorrow evening with a free concert of sacred music featuring hymns from Glory to the Holy One.

All of the messages from this weekend will be available to stream for free on Ligonier.org later next week. While you wait for that announcement, here is a brief summary and several highlights from the weekend. You can also browse #ligcon on Instagram and Twitter.

Summary and Highlights

Friday evening began with Derek Thomas’ opening message from Isaiah 50-60. He demonstrated that post tenebras lux "after darkness light" is one of the key themes of God's redemptive plan. By declaring "after darkness light," the Reformers understood that only the light of the gospel can overcome the darkness of unbelief.

Albert Mohler concluded our evening by reflecting on the Reformation. He explained that the corruption of the church in the 16th century lead to the belief that the church needed to be evermore reformed by the Word of God.

Saturday morning began with Derek Thomas turning to Hebrews 10. He encouraged the audience to "hold fast" to their confession of faith and have confidence in the priestly and compassionate work of Christ.

Albert Mohler then explained the need for Christians to stand for biblical truth. Contrasting convictional and positional leadership, He demonstrated the importance of convictional leaders from Hebrews 11.

Our teachers then answered questions from those in attendance. Albert Mohler, Stephen Nichols, R.C. Sproul, and Derek Thomas discussed the natures of Christ, Roman Catholicism and the authority of Scripture, the use of the sacraments in evangelical churches, the Renaissance, and other topics.

After lunch, Stephen Nichols presented the Ligonier Statement on Christology. He explained from the book of Hebrews the importance of an orthodox Christology and why we released The Word Made Flesh: The Ligonier Statement on Christology.

Stephen Nichols then closed our Lancaster conference by considering Martin Luther's life—his humble beginnings, his troubled monastic years, his discovery of the gospel, and the posting of the Ninety-Five theses.

When Luther uses the language, 'popes may err' or 'councils may err,' he is standing on the Word of God. —Dr. @AlbertMohler #ligcon #reformed #reformedtheology

A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Oct 28, 2016 at 4:39pm PDT

Theological corruption is always prior to and explains moral corruption. —@AlbertMohler #ligcon pic.twitter.com/y2Rq7mWRuD

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) October 29, 2016

What is reformation? It is a confidence in Christ and in Christ alone. —@DerekWHThomas #ligcon pic.twitter.com/eU1OWtqIvu

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) October 29, 2016

.@DrSteveNichols discussing the importance of Christology and why we released The @Ligonier Statement on Christology. #ligcon pic.twitter.com/Te5VYaAaAF

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) October 29, 2016

Christ is our gospel. Christ is our hope. —Dr. Stephen Nichols #ligcon #reformed #reformedtheology

A photo posted by Ligonier Ministries (@ligonier) on Oct 29, 2016 at 1:07pm PDT