Sinclair Ferguson, to address the theme Hallowed By Your Name: The Holiness of the Father, had us turn to the high priestly prayer of John 17. In verse 11 of that prayer, we have the only instance in which Jesus refers to His Father as "Holy Father." It is the only time we see this phrase (what scholars call a "hapex legamano"). What should we make of it? "O Holy Father" is indeed a most rare expression used for addressing God. Chapter 12 of John's gospel is sometimes considered the beginning of the "second half" of John's gospel. Jesus performs signs of wonder in the first half of the … [Read more...] about Ligonier National Conference – Sinclair Ferguson (II)
Practical Ministry
The Delay of Marriage and the Rise of Secularism and Big Government
A few weeks ago, Bradford Wilcox published an insightful essay called More Government, Less God: What the Obama Revolution Means for Religion in America. The gist of it was that an inverse relationship between government size and religious vitality exists, and has been demonstrated in countries like Sweden and Denmark. Moreover, "when government assumes moral responsibility for others, people are less likely to do so themselves." Social solidarity is down and social pathology—from drinking to crime—is up, says Wilcox. In summary, Wilcox argues: While many social conservatives have focused … [Read more...] about The Delay of Marriage and the Rise of Secularism and Big Government
Ligonier National Conference – R.C. Sproul Jr.
R.C. Sproul Jr. is the founder of the Highlands Study Center in Mendota, Va., which seeks to help Christians live more simple, separate, and deliberate lives to the glory of God and for the building of His kingdom. Dr. Sproul travels extensively as a conference speaker and has written several books including Tearing Down Strongholds, When You Rise Up, Bound for Glory, and Biblical Economics. Dr. Sproul Jr. began his message with a celebration of his daughter Molly's 7th birthday (which is tomorrow). We all sang happy birthday to her. Then Dr. Sproul Jr. took us to Exodus 3, the passage in … [Read more...] about Ligonier National Conference – R.C. Sproul Jr.
Ligonier National Conference – Q&A Session I
The panel consisted of Steve Lawson, Ligon Duncan, Albert Mohler, and Sinclair Ferguson. John Duncan asked the questions. Why is Calvin so important? Ferguson noted that Calvin had a genius to capture what the text was saying. Lawson noted that Calvin stood at the dawn of the Reformation, the printing press had just been invented, ships were going out to new lands, etc. Part of Calvin's genius is where he stood in history. The Puritans, the Westminster Divines, in large part these stood on the shoulders of John Calvin. Mohler noted that Calvin combined pastoral ministry and systematic … [Read more...] about Ligonier National Conference – Q&A Session I
Ligonier National Conference – Ligon Duncan
J. Ligon Duncan III is the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss., and adjunct professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. He is the president of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and chairman of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Dr. Duncan has written, edited, and contributed to several books including Preaching the Cross, Women's Ministry in the Local Church, and Should We Leave Our Churches?, and Fear Not! Photo: Lukas Van Dyke To unpack the theme Calvin and The Christian Life, Dr. Duncan took us to I Timothy 1:3-5. There we see … [Read more...] about Ligonier National Conference – Ligon Duncan
What is the Gospel Coalition? Why is John Piper involved?
Perhaps you've heard of The Gospel Coalition and wondered what it is. Here is a simple, three-minute explanation from John Piper. And here's a great exhortation to never let the gospel get smaller (in our hearts) as we get older. … [Read more...] about What is the Gospel Coalition? Why is John Piper involved?