Courageous Calvinism: Building Faith in a Secular World

 

Summary

In this address, I reflect on the exciting developments at Reformation Bible College and the broader mission of spreading the gospel. The new building at the college is a testament to God's kindness and the generosity of our donors. It is designed to foster community and learning, with spaces like a library that houses a collection representing the reformed classical tradition. This space is intended for students to engage deeply with the ideas of the good, the true, and the beautiful, and to prepare them to take what they learn into the world.

I also highlight the significant milestone of Dr. Sproul's teachings being broadcast in Farsi into Iran, a country where the evangelical church is rapidly growing despite persecution. This is a timely opportunity to support and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ in Iran. We are committed to advancing the gospel and supporting the church in persecuted lands.

As we look at the state of Christianity today, particularly in America, we see a decline in cultural influence and a rise in secular individualism. However, God is not in decline; He is building His church globally. In this context, I propose that what is needed is "courageous Calvinism"—a confident, Christ-centered, comprehensive, coherent, and caring approach to faith. This means being confident in the Word of God, centered on Christ, embracing the full counsel of God, understanding the coherence of biblical truths, and caring deeply for the church and the world.

Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 serves as a model for this courageous Calvinism. He emphasizes the importance of declaring the whole counsel of God, being alert to false teachings, and caring for the church. As we move forward, we must be passionate about our work, committed to the truth, and ready to serve the great need of our time with courage and conviction.

Key Takeaways:

1. Confidence in God's Word: In a world where Christianity's cultural influence is waning, we must remain confident in the Word of God. Our confidence should not be in ourselves but in the Lord and His Word, which is our guide and light. This confidence is essential for effective and faithful ministry. [19:52]

2. Christ-Centered Focus: Our faith must remain centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ. This focus ensures that we do not become distracted by secondary issues but remain committed to making Christ known and glorifying Him in all we do. [22:12]

3. Comprehensive Understanding: We must embrace the whole counsel of God, avoiding minimalism in our teaching and understanding. A comprehensive approach to faith allows us to fully grasp the depth and richness of God's truth and apply it to all areas of life. [24:29]

4. Coherence of Biblical Truths: Understanding the coherence of biblical truths is crucial. This involves seeing how different elements of faith, such as repentance and faith, relate to one another. A coherent understanding strengthens our faith and our ability to teach others. [28:50]

5. Caring for the Church and the World: Our approach to faith must be marked by genuine care and passion. This means being sensitive to the needs of the church and the world, and being willing to speak the truth in love, even when it challenges or convicts. [33:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:54] - New Building at Reformation Bible College
- [01:43] - Library and Reformed Tradition
- [02:17] - Faculty Suite and Student Engagement
- [02:43] - Vision for Global Impact
- [03:46] - Dr. Sproul's Teachings in Farsi
- [05:07] - Dr. Sproul's New Book
- [05:40] - Introduction of Dr. Robert Godfrey
- [06:29] - Opening Prayer
- [07:53] - Courageous Calvinism for the 21st Century
- [09:38] - Decline of Cultural Christianity
- [11:15] - Global Growth of the Church
- [12:16] - Need for Courageous Calvinism
- [15:25] - Confident and Christ-Centered Calvinism
- [19:37] - Comprehensive and Coherent Calvinism
- [33:01] - Caring and Passionate Ministry
- [36:36] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 20:18-32

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Observation Questions:

1. What are some of the key features of the new building at Reformation Bible College, and how are they intended to benefit the students? [01:07]

2. How is Dr. Sproul's teaching being used to support the church in Iran, and why is this significant? [03:46]

3. According to the sermon, what are some of the challenges facing Christianity in America today? [09:38]

4. In Acts 20, what does Paul emphasize as crucial for the Ephesian elders to remember after his departure? [17:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the new building at Reformation Bible College reflect the mission of spreading the gospel and fostering community? [01:07]

2. What does the broadcast of Dr. Sproul's teachings in Farsi signify about the global growth of the church, especially in persecuted areas like Iran? [03:46]

3. The sermon mentions a decline in cultural Christianity in America. How does this contrast with the global growth of the church? [11:15]

4. In Acts 20, Paul talks about declaring the whole counsel of God. What does this mean, and why is it important for the church today? [17:32]

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon calls for "courageous Calvinism" in today's world. What does this look like in your personal faith journey, and how can you embody this in your daily life? [12:16]

2. Reflect on the idea of being "confident in God's Word." How can you strengthen your confidence in the Bible, especially when facing challenges or doubts? [19:52]

3. The sermon emphasizes a Christ-centered focus. Are there areas in your life where you have become distracted by secondary issues? How can you refocus on Christ? [22:12]

4. Consider the importance of a comprehensive understanding of faith. How can you ensure that you are embracing the whole counsel of God in your study and application of Scripture? [24:29]

5. The sermon highlights the need for coherence in biblical truths. How can you work on understanding the connections between different elements of your faith, such as repentance and faith? [28:50]

6. Caring for the church and the world is a key takeaway from the sermon. What are some practical ways you can show genuine care and passion for your local church and the global church? [33:01]

7. Reflect on Paul's farewell address in Acts 20. How can his example of dedication and service inspire you to be more committed to your ministry or service in the church? [17:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Confidence in God's Word
In a world where Christianity's cultural influence is waning, it is crucial to remain steadfast in the confidence of God's Word. This confidence is not rooted in human wisdom or strength but in the divine truth and guidance that the Scriptures provide. The Word of God serves as a beacon of light, illuminating the path for believers and offering a foundation for effective and faithful ministry. As cultural tides shift, the unchanging nature of God's Word offers stability and assurance, reminding believers that their hope and trust should be anchored in the Lord. [19:52]

"For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 33:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to rely more on the guidance of God's Word today?


Day 2: Christ-Centered Focus
Maintaining a Christ-centered focus is essential for believers to avoid distractions and remain committed to the core mission of making Christ known. This focus ensures that secondary issues do not overshadow the primary goal of glorifying Jesus in all aspects of life. By centering faith on the person and work of Jesus Christ, believers can navigate challenges with clarity and purpose, keeping their eyes fixed on the ultimate prize of eternal life with Him. This Christ-centered approach fosters unity and strength within the church, empowering believers to live out their faith authentically. [22:12]

"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical way you can keep your focus on Christ in your daily routine this week?


Day 3: Comprehensive Understanding
Embracing the whole counsel of God is vital for a comprehensive understanding of faith. This approach avoids minimalism and encourages believers to delve deeply into the richness of God's truth. By exploring the full breadth of Scripture, believers can gain a more profound appreciation for the depth and complexity of biblical teachings. This comprehensive understanding equips believers to apply God's truth to all areas of life, fostering spiritual growth and maturity. It challenges believers to move beyond surface-level faith and engage with the transformative power of God's Word. [24:29]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a more comprehensive study of Scripture into your daily or weekly routine?


Day 4: Coherence of Biblical Truths
Understanding the coherence of biblical truths is crucial for strengthening faith and teaching others. This involves recognizing how different elements of faith, such as repentance and faith, interrelate and support one another. A coherent understanding of Scripture allows believers to see the bigger picture of God's redemptive plan and how individual truths fit within it. This holistic view of faith not only deepens personal understanding but also enhances the ability to communicate and share the gospel effectively with others. [28:50]

"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little." (Isaiah 28:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one biblical truth you find challenging to understand, and how can you seek clarity on its coherence with other teachings?


Day 5: Caring for the Church and the World
A genuine care and passion for both the church and the world should mark a believer's approach to faith. This involves being sensitive to the needs of others and willing to speak the truth in love, even when it is challenging. Caring deeply for the church means nurturing and supporting fellow believers, while caring for the world involves reaching out with compassion and the message of the gospel. This dual focus ensures that faith is not only personal but also outward-looking, seeking to impact the world positively for Christ. [33:01]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community or church can you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement?

Quotes

"Paul said you yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable and teaching you in public and from house to house testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." [00:16:11]

"Paul is talking about finishing the ministry he received, that's what we're committed to. We have received a ministry, we have been called to a ministry, and how will we pursue it, how will we accomplish it? Courageous Calvinism is first of all a confident Calvinism. I think we live increasingly in a world where Christians aren't as confident as they ought to be." [00:19:18]

"Paul says I have not hesitated to declare to you the whole counsel of God. He didn't hold back, he didn't shrink the gospel, he didn't tell just part of the story, he didn't adopt a kind of minimalism. This is critical, I think, for our ministry. One of the faults of American evangelicalism, it's become an increasingly serious fault in the last decades, is the adoption of a kind of minimalism." [00:24:19]

"God's truth is not tidbits here and there. God's truth is not elements unrelated to one another. God's truth holds together, it's connected, it flows from a law, goes from a mind that is reasoning. We could see the value of that here in these words of Paul. He says I have been teaching repentance unto God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." [00:28:14]

"Calvinists have always been maximalists, not minimalists. Tell us all that God has said, let us follow God into all of life. And I think one of the great things Ligonier does is to try to really get that word out. So we have confessional materials telling the truth theologically, we have catechetical materials to help teach people and younger people of the truth of Jesus Christ." [00:27:01]

"We need to be a passionate people, we need to be a caring people, and a caring people means telling the truth, doesn't it? What's wrong with you people? It was one of my most arresting experiences sitting on stage with RC and getting a question that he probably had heard a million times in his life and turned to an audience of nearly 5,000 people and said what's up matter with you people." [00:34:26]

"Paul returns again and again in this address to focus on the gospel and on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that's the message we need today. We need to make Christ known and his work known and his person known so that people will rejoice in him and live in him. So we need a confident Calvinism, we need a Christ-centered Calvinism." [00:23:47]

"Paul is stressing here in these words that he received from the Lord Jesus his ministry, and that is what gave him confidence. He knows what he's doing, he has confidence in what he's doing because the Lord Jesus spoke to him, commissioned him, gave him the word of grace that he's talking about here." [00:19:52]

"Paul says I have not hesitated to declare to you the whole counsel of God. He didn't hold back, he didn't shrink the gospel, he didn't tell just part of the story, he didn't adopt a kind of minimalism. This is critical, I think, for our ministry. One of the faults of American evangelicalism, it's become an increasingly serious fault in the last decades, is the adoption of a kind of minimalism." [00:24:29]

"Paul returns again and again in this address to focus on the gospel and on the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that's the message we need today. We need to make Christ known and his work known and his person known so that people will rejoice in him and live in him. So we need a confident Calvinism, we need a Christ-centered Calvinism." [00:22:12]

"Paul is stressing here in these words that he received from the Lord Jesus his ministry, and that is what gave him confidence. He knows what he's doing, he has confidence in what he's doing because the Lord Jesus spoke to him, commissioned him, gave him the word of grace that he's talking about here." [00:19:52]

"Paul says I have not hesitated to declare to you the whole counsel of God. He didn't hold back, he didn't shrink the gospel, he didn't tell just part of the story, he didn't adopt a kind of minimalism. This is critical, I think, for our ministry. One of the faults of American evangelicalism, it's become an increasingly serious fault in the last decades, is the adoption of a kind of minimalism." [00:24:29]

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Transcript
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