Reformed Author and Pastor R.C. Sproul Dies at 78

Dr. R.C. Sproul, apologist and significant Reformed author and pastor, passed away Thursday around 3 p.m. in a hospital room in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He was 78.

“He died peacefully after being hospitalized 12 days ago due to severe respiratory difficulties exacerbated by the flu and complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” reported Chris Larson, president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, a longtime National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) member.

The founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian education ministry near Orlando, Florida, Sproul had spent 12 days in the hospital due to severe respiratory difficulties, enhanced by complications of the flu and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“This popular teacher is now with the One who loves him most, and we both rejoice for Dr. Sproul and mourn for all who will miss him,” said NRB president and CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson. “For more than five decades, the Lord has used Dr. Sproul to spread the life-changing truths of biblical Christianity and to expose people to the grace and the knowledge of the Lord. From the inquiring skeptic to the growing Christian, Dr. Sproul has impacted countless lives. And so, today, we give thanks to God for his life and for his ministry.” 

Sproul was also the chancellor of Reformation Bible College. His radio program, “Renewing Your Mind with Dr. R.C. Sproul,” was broadcast on hundreds of outlets throughout the United States and in more than 40 countries worldwide. He produced more than 300 lecture series and recorded more than 80 video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics and Christian living.

According to Ligonier.com, Sproul was “known to millions of Christians as simply ‘R.C.,’ and 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.”

“Remember the incredible debt we owe to the Reformers,” Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias said. “R.C. was a shining light on those great thinkers and their contribution to the truth of the Holy Scriptures.”

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1939, Sproul wrote more than 90 books, including The Holiness of God, Faith Alone and Everyone’s a Theologian. Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, The University of Amsterdam and Whitefield Theological Seminary. During his distinguished academic career, he taught at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Mississippi.

Watch Charisma News for updates on details about his memorial service. {eoa}