I became a Christian in March of 2001. Soon after, I had discovered WMCA, 570AM Radio, here in New York. It’s a Christian talk radio station. My commute to work in those days was over an hour, both ways (as it still is today). This was just before “podcasts,” so I used this time to learn whatever I could about the Bible as I drove to and from work each day listening to WMCA. Back then, it was either this radio station or listening to the Bible on cassette. My drive to and from work became (and still is) like a seminary experience. On that station, I was exposed to some really great preachers and teachers. Men like John MacArthur and Ravi Zacharias were amongst my daily mentors.

But, one stood out above them all… RC Sproul.

What I Learned

RC was different. He had a way of breaking down the text into everyday language, while still exposing me to its original languages, idiom, cultural significance, history, genre, and context, making it easy to see how it all ultimately pointed to Christ. He made the academic, classical, and formal theological rhetoric simple to comprehend. RC could even make competing positions within eschatology like postmillenialism and dispensationalism possible to grasp, and complicated theological positions such as supralapsarianism and infralapsarianism understandable. It was RC who exposed me to things like the significance of 70AD and Reformation history.

He Will be Missed

Not only was RC great at teaching scripture, but he always seemed so approachable. I always imagined that he would be, if I ever had the chance to meet him. During his radio program he would share stories about his younger years, and also how he treasured his beloved Steelers. Though I never did meet RC, he seemed to have a patriarchal quality about him which made it feel like he was your spiritual grandfather. There was something warm and caring in his persona which I just loved… I will miss him.

Finishing the Race

A friend of mine referring to RC, soon after hearing of his passing, texted…

“He finished the race.”

He sure did…

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (HCSB)
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.”

May we all finish as well…

Godspeed, to the brethren!

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