A Bright and Burning Light: Robert Charles Sproul
“He was one of the great defenders of historic Christianity of our times. It is fair to say that R.C. was the greatest and most influential proponent of the recovery of Reformed theology in the last century. He was a stalwart defender of the Word of God, and one of the primary architects of the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy in 1978. His tapes were soon accompanied by his books and the vastly expanding influence of Ligonier Ministries.
When he taught about the holiness of God, a generation of evangelicals was rescued from the emaciated and desiccated theology of cultural Christianity. …”
– Albert Mohler thanks the Lord for R. C. Sproul.
So do Tim Challies:
“Ligonier Ministries has just announced that R.C. Sproul has passed away. But I don’t think he would want you to cry about it. “You can grieve for me the week before I die, if I’m scared and hurting” he once said, “but when I gasp that last fleeting breath and my immortal soul flees to heaven, I’m going to be jumping over fire hydrants down the golden streets…” So, to honor his memory, I won’t cry. But I will write. …”
“Presbyterian minister R.C. Sproul, one of the most influential popularizers of Reformed theology spanning the late 20th and early 21st centuries, entered into the joy of his Lord and Savior on December 14, 2017, following complications from emphysema. He was 78 years old.
Because he preached the whole counsel of God and had a heart to equip God’s people to live before the face of a holy God, he often taught on suffering and death over his five decades of ministry. …”
“We grieve today at the news of R. C. Sproul’s departure from this life, while so blessed at the knowledge that he basks in the glory of the Savior he served and loved.
In mourning our loss of this great preacher and church leader, my mind searches back to the early 1990’s, when what is now called the Reformed Resurgence was only an envisioned hope. I was converted to faith in Christ in 1990 under the preaching of R.C.’s close friend, James Montgomery Boice. This meant that I soon was exposed to the live phenomenon of R. C. Sproul in the pulpit in the prime of his vigor. I had never and never will see again such a combination of passion, intellect, and theological courage. …”
and Michael Horton:
‘The death of a saint always fills fellow pilgrims with inner conflict: joy in their being in the presence of the Lord, without the pains and struggles of this fallen existence, and sorrow at losing a dear brother or sister. These mixed emotions overwhelmed me as I sat next to R.C. Sproul as we shared in the memorial service for our friend, James Montgomery Boice. ‘A mighty general has fallen on the field, in valiant service to his Lord,’ I recall R.C. repeating in his message. And now, with so many others around the world today, I feel the sharp sting of that realization.”
Dr. R.C. Sproul, Called Home to the Lord
“Dr. R.C. Sproul went home to be with the Lord this afternoon around 3 p.m. surrounded by his wife, Vesta, and family in his hospital room in Altamonte Springs, Fla. He was 78. He died peacefully after being hospitalized twelve days ago …
Known to millions of Christians as simply “R.C.,” he was used of the Lord to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God in all its fullness. Through his teaching ministry, many of us learned that God is bigger than we knew, our sin is more deeply rooted than we imagined, and the grace of God in Jesus Christ is overwhelming.”
– Ligonier Ministries has this announcement.
Director General RAAF Chaplaincy retires
Moore College graduate Kevin Russell, Director General RAAF Chaplaincy, has retired, and is thanked in this post from Defence Families of Australia.
It’s a good reminder to pray for the Defence Chaplains. Perhaps you could use their Prayer Diary.
New Course Director for Cornhill Sydney
Gavin Perkins is to conclude as Cornhill Sydney Course Director as he becomes Rector of the Parish of Bowral in the new year.
Gavin has been instrumental in planting the Cornhill work in Sydney, becoming first Course Director in January 2012.
Cornhill Sydney has announced that Gavin will be succeeded by Peter Ryan (pictured) as Course Director.
– More from Cornhill Sydney.
‘Eternity – A tribute to Arthur Stace’
In 2000 and 2001, Sydney artist David Lever painted a series of paintings depicting the life of Arthur Stace.
“Mr. Eternity: The Story of Arthur Stace”, by Roy Williams and Elizabeth Meyers, launched in Sydney last month, reproduces a number of the paintings.
We thought you might enjoy seeing more of David Lever’s “Eternity” collection, now published on his website. (One of our favourites is ‘Preparing for the Eternity run 4.30am – 5.30am’.)
Photo: David and Lorna Lever with Roy Williams (centre) at the book launch.
The Chappo Collection
“Introducing a new book on the much loved and respected Bible teacher and evangelist, John Chapman.
This book by David Mansfield is a collection of stories by and about John Chapman.
It gives an insight into a man who loved and proclaimed the gospel throughout his life, and whose ministry greatly impacted many people. The book contains many personal insights by those who know him, great gospel illustrations and excerpts from his sermons amongst other things. …
Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to support Bible and leadership training in Africa, through GWC and other centres of training.”
– Order The Chappo Collection from Anglican Aid at this link.
David Mansfield writes about the book, which was launched at St. Andrew’s Cathedral last week, at SydneyAnglicans.net.
And Simon Manchester writes,
“Sometimes it is the spontaneous wisdom of a Christian leader which goes beyond a biography to arrest our minds and hearts with great truths… David Mansfield has served us well by collecting much of Chappo’s wisdom and wit so readers will be (almost) in his happy and helpful company again.”
Mr Eternity: The Story of Arthur Stace, launched in Sydney
The long-awaited biography of Arthur Stace, ‘Mr. Eternity’, was launched by Bible Society Australia in Sydney yesterday.
Appropriately, the launch was held in Darlinghurst, at the Eternity Playhouse, formerly the Burton Street Baptist Tabernacle. It was there, in 1932, that Arthur Stace heard evangelist John Ridley, and felt called to write Eternity on the streets of Sydney – something he did for the next 34 years. (Stace had become a Christian at St. Barnabas’ Broadway two years earlier, saved from a life of despair and alcohol.)
‘Mr. Eternity: The story of Arthur Stace’ is the fulfilment of a long-term project by Elizabeth Meyers, daughter of the Rev. Lisle Thompson, Minister of Burton Street Tabernacle 1951 – 1964. She was joined by Roy Williams (author of ‘In God They Trust’) who continued her research to help complete the book. The pair uncovered previously unpublished details of Arthur’s life and background.
Roy Williams introduces the book. Photo by Trevor Dallen.
To coincide with the publication, Lisle Thompson’s 1956 tract, ‘The Crooked Made Straight’, has been updated and reissued.
Photo: At the launch, Elizabeth Meyers, with Fairfax photographer Trevor Dallen, who took several iconic photos of Arthur Stace in 1963.
The book, published by Acorn Press, is available from these sellers.
Companion material has also been published here.
Unfamiliar with the story of Arthur Stace? You can read our earlier potted version here and related posts.
Charles Simeon
From Church Society:
“As the Church of England remembers Charles Simeon today, a few Church Society articles which celebrate particular aspects of his ministry for us to learn from today.”
– Links here.
Lisa, Bruce & Co @ Parramatta
“What does complementarian ministry look like?
We chat to Lisa Boyd & Bruce Morrison of St John’s Cathedral, Parramatta about the ins-and-outs, ups-and-downs of working as a team. …”
– new from The Australian Church Record.
Nabeel Qureshi — Seeking Allah, he found Jesus
“On Saturday, September 16, 2017, Nabeel Qureshi, age 34, entered into the joy of his master, Jesus Christ, after enduring a yearlong battle with cancer. …
In August 2001, while a student at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, Nabeel observed fellow student David Wood reading the Bible in his free time.”
– Justin Taylor gives thanks to the Lord for Nabeel Qureshi.
Mr Eternity: The Story of Arthur Stace
The forthcoming book, Mr Eternity: The Story of Arthur Stace, by Roy Williams and Elizabeth Meyers, is now available for pre-order from The Bible Society.
It’s expected to be published at the end of October.
New Head for Anglican EdComm
“Anglican EdComm, the Education Commission of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney has announced the appointment of Stephen Kinsella as its next Executive Director.
Mr Kinsella, who is currently Headmaster of The Illawarra Grammar School will take up his new appointment in early 2018.”
– Story from SydneyAnglicans.net.
(Photo: The Illawarra Grammar School.)
“I have been ashamed of Episcopal leadership denying the Christian faith…”
On GAFCON: “It is therapy for our hubris to have those to whom we have sent missionaries, now seeing the need of mission to the United States, Canada, Europe and Britain in their headlong race to sever ties with the Christian faith.”
– Bishop C. Fitzsimons Allison, retired Episcopal Bishop of South Carolina, was interviewed on his 90th birthday for VirtueOnline.
For decades, Bishop Allison was a leading light in the battle for the Lordship of Christ in The Episcopal Church of the USA.
Reflections on the 50th anniversary of my Diving Accident
Joni Eareckson Tada reflects on the the Lord’s faithfulness, these fifty years, since she had her diving accident.
The message lives on
“Mr Eternity could never have imagined he would have crowds of Sydney-siders remembering him 50 years after his death, but that’s what happened at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday.
But then again, he wouldn’t have imagined he would prompt city authorities to emblazon Eternity in fireworks on the Harbour Bridge at the turn of the century, either.
Arthur Stace was an alcoholic converted during the Great Depression, who then went on to devote his life to reminding people of Eternity by writing the word in perfect copperplate on Sydney Streets.…”
– Russell Powell reports on the tribute to Arthur Stace, “Mr. Eternity”, last Sunday at the Cathedral. (Photo of Arthur Stace courtesy HammondCare.)
See also this report from Eternity News, and these related posts.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…