Sep 17, 2016

2016 Fall Conference at Reformation Bible College: The Dawn of the Reformation

4 Min Read

Our annual Fall Conference is always a special time on the Ligonier campus. In addition to all the Christians that join us for the conference, prospective students and their families travel from across America to experience life at Reformation Bible College (RBC) during their Fall Preview Weekend.

This year, the conference began with a greeting from Dr. R.C. Sproul and a prayer that our hearts would be on fire for Christ’s kingdom and gospel. We then began our study of the conference theme, "The Dawn of the Reformation."

All of the messages from this weekend will be available to stream for free on Ligonier.org later next week. While you stay tuned for that announcement, you can read over this brief summary and several highlights, or browse #ligcon on Instagram and Twitter.

Summary and Highlights

Friday afternoon began with Albert Mohler's opening message. He turned our attention to the year 1516 to demonstrate its significance in preparing the way for the decisive point in history that occured in 1517.

Albert Mohler and R.C. Sproul then joined us for a time of questions and answers. Together they discussed the future of evangelicalism, the need for continual reformation, and other topics.

In the evening, Albert Mohler delivered Reformation Bible College's Convocation address. He highlighted the importance of having heroes, but encouraged the students to remember that the heroes presented in Scripture are not portrayed as “superheroes” but as those who by their faith and faithfulness are worthy of our emulation. You can watch RBC's Facebook Live of the address here.

Saturday morning, Stephen Nichols turned to Matthew 21:33-44 and taught on God’s faithful longsuffering with the world. Throughout history, and despite our rebellion, the Lord has sent prophets and messengers of reformation.

R.C. Sproul Jr. then showed how the Reformation motto post tenebras lux "after darkness, light," is a truth that can be traced through all of Scripture.

R.C. Sproul joined us again with Stephen Nichols and R.C. Sproul Jr. to answer questions from the audience. They discussed the importance of the Medieval Ages to the Reformation, the difference between Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism, and other topics.

After lunch, Stephen Nichols presented the Ligonier Statement on Christology. He explained from the book of Hebrews why a biblical understanding of the person and work of Christ is the most pressing issue facing the church today and the generations to come.

R.C. Sproul Jr. closed our Fall Conference by considering the lessons that can be learned from the monastic life of Martin Luther prior to the Reformation.

.@RCSproul opened our Fall Conference, praying that hearts would be on fire for Christ's kingdom and gospel. #ligcon pic.twitter.com/o3SssvediO

— RefBibleCollege (@RefBibleCollege) September 16, 2016

Part of the reason we can celebrate the Reformation is because 499 years ago an Augustinian monk in Wittenberg had his nose in the Scripture. —@AlbertMohler #refbiblecollege #reformed #reformedtheology #visitrbc #ligcon

A photo posted by Reformation Bible College (@refbiblecollege) on Sep 16, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT

Luther knew how to stare down the enemies of the gospel and not give an inch. —@AlbertMohler #ligcon pic.twitter.com/5XXVMqEgHe

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) September 16, 2016

The grace given to us in the gospel is not a feeling, it’s the truth. —Dr. R.C. Sproul #refbiblecollege #reformed #rcsproul #reformedtheology #visitrbc #ligcon

A photo posted by Reformation Bible College (@refbiblecollege) on Sep 17, 2016 at 8:59am PDT

This afternoon, Dr. Stephen Nichols spoke on the Ligonier statement on Christology. #ligcon pic.twitter.com/Q68MpKrc6U

— RefBibleCollege (@RefBibleCollege) September 17, 2016

The promise of God is that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. —@RCSproulJr #refbiblecollege #reformed #reformedtheology #visitrbc #ligcon

A photo posted by Reformation Bible College (@refbiblecollege) on Sep 17, 2016 at 7:56am PDT

Your justification does not rest on your feelings. —@RCSproul #ligcon pic.twitter.com/MX91gddPVs

— Ligonier Ministries (@Ligonier) September 17, 2016