W. Robert Godfrey

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and chairman of Ligonier Ministries. He is president emeritus and professor emeritus of church history at Westminster Seminary California. He is the featured teacher for the six-part Ligonier teaching series A Survey of Church History. His many books include God’s Pattern for Creation, Reformation Sketches, An Unexpected Journey, Learning to Love the Psalms, and Saving the Reformation.

  • The Necessity Now Media Resource by

    Jude 17-19

    Our historical context is different from John Calvin’s, yet the reforms enacted in his day prompt us to ask, “How do we reform the church today?” Because God’s glory and the lives of others were at stake, Calvin stressed the need for immediate reform—reform right now. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey looks at Calvin’s response to Rome’s criticism of the Reformation and offers a crucial answer for how reform can be accomplished today. View Resource

  • Reforming Church Government Media Resource by

    Church government has been a significant area of contention in the life of the church, and Calvin recognized that this was a volatile subject. Instead of immediately attacking the papacy in his treatise, he focused on the biblical role and function of a minister. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey looks at the ministerial problems of the church in Calvin’s day to show how their remedies are found in the simple adherence to God’s Word and the freedom that comes with it. View Resource

  • Reforming Soteriology Media Resource by

    Soteriology is the study of the doctrine of salvation. John Calvin considered salvation the second component of the soul of the church alongside worship, and the church’s teaching on salvation in his day needed to be reformed. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey examines Calvin’s critique of the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on salvation and helps us understand salvation’s relationship to sin and grace, the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ, and the character of saving faith. View Resource

  • Reforming the Sacraments Media Resource by

    The sacraments are a crucial part of how the church conducts its worship and works out its theology of salvation. John Calvin recognized problems in the sacramental system of the Roman Catholic Church that detracted from God-honoring worship and a proper understanding of Christ and the Christian life. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey surveys the Roman Catholic view of the sacraments and its practice in Calvin’s day to show how it obscured Christ and why it needed, and still needs, reform. View Resource

  • Reforming Worship Media Resource by

    The Necessity of Reforming the Church was written in 1544, yet it can help us look at the church even today. This is because we serve a God who sovereignly sets the standard for His church, and the things that pleased Him in Calvin’s day are the same things that please Him now. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey focuses on what Calvin considered the most important thing when it comes to God—worship. God alone is worthy to be worshiped, and God alone decides how He is to be worshiped. View Resource

  • The Necessity Then Media Resource by

    The church of Jesus Christ is composed of sinners saved by grace, so by its very nature it is in constant need of reform. John Calvin’s The Necessity of Reforming the Church, written in 1544, can help us think about what was needed for the church then and what is needed for the church now. In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey introduces the rich historical context of Calvin’s treatise and outlines its structure and major themes. View Resource

  • The Imago Dei, Human Dignity, and the Present Crisis Media Resource by

    Psalms 8:4

    Christians have a message of dignity and hope to give to a watching world in times of crisis. In this conversation with Ligonier’s President, Chris Larson, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey discusses the lessons we can learn from Scripture and church history as we seek to honor the Lord in troubling times. Questions: What lessons can we learn from Christians who have faced plagues and pandemics before us? (2:12) How did some of the heroes of church history handle periods of plague and distress? (4:07) What is the source of human dignity? (7:07) Did Adam continue to bear God’s image … View Resource

  • Ask Ligonier with W. Robert Godfrey (February 2020) Media Resource by

    On February 18th, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey joined us as a special guest on our Ask Ligonier team and answered your biblical and theological questions live online. This special online event was streamed live on Ligonier’s blog, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Questions: What should discipleship look like in the local church? (2:19) Are the TV preachers that talk about health and prosperity the false teachers Jesus talked about? (3:26) Aside from God’s Word, what book has had the greatest impact on your life and ministry? (4:24) … View Resource

  • The Goal of Truth Media Resource by

    John 17:17

    As the God of truth, the Lord uses truth to make us holy, equip us for Christian service, and enable us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. In this session, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey considers how God uses truth in our sanctification, service, and worship. View Resource

  • Questions & Answers with Challies, Godfrey, Lawson, and Mohler Media Resource by , , , ,

    A questions and answers session with Tim Challies, W. Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, and Albert Mohler. Questions: Should we focus our resources more on helping our own increasingly godless countries or on helping other countries where the church is rapidly growing? (00:01) What is “New Calvinism” and how does it relate to Reformation Calvinism? (00:57) Can you explain the difference between effectual calling and regeneration and how they work together? (05:00) How do we deal with disappointment if our loved ones aren’t being regenerated and haven’t come to faith? (06:42) Do children need to hear the gospel in order … View Resource

  • Speaking the Truth in Love Media Resource by , , , , ,

    A panel discussion with Tim Challies, W. Robert Godfrey, Daniel Henderson, Steven Lawson, Albert Mohler, and Robert VanDoodewaard. Questions: What are the most pressing needs for the church in Canada? (00:56) What unique challenges do Protestant churches face in historically Roman Catholic Quebec? (03:05) How should Christians respond to hate-speech legislation and the rising social stigma of Christianity in the West? (04:16) How have Christians throughout the ages addressed biblical illiteracy? (06:33) How are Canadian Christians and churches responding to the apparent loss of Christianity’s cultural influence in Canada? (08:09) What similarities and differences exist between the current state … View Resource

  • Deuteronomy Points Us to Christ Media Resource by

    Deuteronomy 31-34

    To conclude this study on Deuteronomy, Dr. Godfrey teaches through the beauty of its final chapters, in which Moses transitions leadership to Joshua before he dies. Once again, we will see that the curses that would befall Israel because of the nation’s disobedience are met by the blessings of a gracious God, showing us that, ultimately, Deuteronomy points us to Christ. View Resource

  • Warnings That Call Us to Obedience Media Resource by

    Deuteronomy 29-30

    In this lesson, Dr. Godfrey will shed light on theologically difficult verses and concepts in Deuteronomy 29–30 as we learn about the individual’s responsibility to be obedient, the interpretation of prophecy concerning Israel, and the roles of faith and obedience in the life of the believer. By looking at the New Testament to help interpret Deuteronomy, we will come to a deeper understanding of God’s provision for righteousness. View Resource

  • Warnings That Call Us to Faithfulness Media Resource by

    Deuteronomy 28

    In keeping with the theme of caution, Deuteronomy 28 focuses on blessings and curses. In this lecture, Dr. Godfrey will examine what these blessings and curses meant for Israel, what they mean for Christians, and how they hold significance for our eternal future. View Resource

  • Warnings That Protect Us Media Resource by

    Deuteronomy 26-27

    Deuteronomy 26–27 moves us back into the subject of warnings. Dr. Godfrey explains how these warnings are actually an expression of God’s love and care for His people. Warnings about the past help forge an identity, and warnings about the future set God’s people on the right path. View Resource