Ligonier Ministries

I retired from being an Advancement Officer at Ligonier Ministries, (www.ligonier.org), on July 31st.  I love Ligonier and all the people of Ligonier, but I need more time for my family.  

Also, by my own admission, I wasn't a very good fundraiser as I was always promoting the message of the ministry primarily.  I proclaimed a 9-part 'Message' and 1-part 'Money' philosophy of fundraising.  And I still think that's an excellent way to go.  

So, what are the 9 parts 'Message' of Ligonier as I see them?  From my perspective, here they are ...

1. Bible - Ligonier was instrumental in the creation of the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy.  R.C. Sproul was one of the leading spokesmen at the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy, ICBI, in 1978.  This doctrine of inerrancy is foundational for all that Ligonier teaches and proclaims.

2. GOD - Probably the most influential book that R.C. wrote was, "The Holiness of God."  In this work, R.C. describes how the holiness of God is His central character and therefore the foundation for all theology.  God's character is sovereign, immutable, and holy, it does not change with culture.

3. Justification By Faith Alone - Next, I believe R.C. was known for his passion for the Reformation doctrine of JBFA.  Martin Luther championed this doctrine against Roman Catholic theology in the sixteenth century.  This is the key doctrine for the essence of salvation, which is by faith in Christ alone.  

4. Renewing Your Mind - Many people have said they first heard of R.C. and Ligonier Ministries through the radio program by this name.  R.C. saw the importance of the mind in the work of sanctification, which comes from the verse, Romans 12:2, and this is key for our fruitfulness and maturity in the faith.

5. Kingdom - R.C. was not an armchair theologian, but established the Ligonier Valley Study Center in 1971, which then was moved to Orlando in 1985 and became Ligonier Ministries.  He also established St. Andrew's Chapel, and the Reformation Bible College, all to propagate the kingdom of God.

6. Communications - in my many meetings with Ligonier friends and donors, there was an overwhelming testimony that R.C. had a great capability for communicating the difficult and abstract doctrines and philosophies clearly.  R.C. was a great communicator and could integrate many different ideas together. 

7. Philosophy - more than just a great Bible teacher and theologian, R.C. understood philosophy very well.  He described switching his undergraduate degree to philosophy as he was fascinated by the truth and logic of ideas.  He also could dismantle any secularistic or heretical argument that threatened the truth of the faith.  

8. Covenants - throughout the 20th century the Dispensational system of theology was primarily taught to the great majority of Evangelicals.  R.C., along with many other great Reformed theologians saw the truth of the Covenant structure connecting the OT with the NT in Christ.

9. Reformation - this may be a stretch on my part, but I believe R.C. was seeking a modern-day reformation like that of the sixteenth century.  R.C. was a Reformer as he knew that the historical Reformed theology would bring reformation and grace to all Christians, the church, and then culture.  

10. Money - last of all there is the sensitive doctrine of Stewardship, and seeing that all of our resources in time, talent, and treasures are gifts from God, and they belong to God.  Even more, we can see giving these gifts as eternal investments for the kingdom of God, with historical reformational theology.  

Ligonier Ministries is all about proclaiming, teaching, and defending the Holiness of God in all its fullness to as many people as possible.  And, I'll be retired from the workforce now but my teaching ministry of these doctrines and Truths will continue for the rest of my life.  We need the Truth of Scripture to see through the self-centered, people-centered, and secularistic culture of our day.  And, we need to teach these Truths with grace diligently to our children for their faith, and for the generations to come.  SDG.  

FAITH TODAY: Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."