Questions and Answers with Ferguson, Lawson, Reeves, and Thomas

A questions and answers session with Drs. Sinclair Ferguson, Steven Lawson, Burk Parsons, Michael Reeves, and Derek Thomas.

Introduction (0:00)

Questions:

Is there a difference between regeneration and being born again? (4:07)
Since Jesus is God, how can He experience separation from God on the cross? (5:31)
Were the Apostles converted before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost? Referring to the eleven disciples. Not Judas. (9:11)
Do you agree that God hates sin, but loves the sinner? Why or why not? (13:50)
What is the difference between expiation and propitiation? (21:04)
I have a Muslim friend who absolutely loves the parable of the prodigal son, but he sees in it the basis for the unconditional forgiveness found in the character of the Father. How can we better turn that into a gospel conversation? (22:11)
As Christians, do we have free will? (26:53)
Do you agree with the assessment that the church is in need of another reformation today? (30:42)
How do you lovingly press the Reformation distinctives in a land troubled by sectarian strife? (32:53)
Would you disagree with N.T. Wright’s views on justification as a legal term? (44:30)
What advice would you give to someone who has an unbelieving spouse who thinks he is saved, a case of one with superficial view of sin? We constantly fight because of our different stance on moral issues. (46:19)
What advice would you give to a young person considering the ministry? (49:26)

[Emilysafe]

A Ligonier Q&A just wouldn’t be the same without Steve’s laugh 😅

[HM-vjll]

Lawson answers everything with a mini sermon....

[kevinrasmussen]

I always enjoy the Q & A times; practical questions with practical answers.

[CP-tgps]

Wonderful exposition. Thankful for this... God Bless!❤️🙏🕊

[FredNixon]

I agree with Steve Lawson about the verse-by-verse exposition naturally appeals to a reformed doctrine, but there are denominations like Calvary Chapel that do it but they are extreme anti-Calvinist, how can this be possible?

[oaoalphachaser]

I have attending calvary Chapel for about 5 years now and I like the Verse by verse exposition. But the pastor came from a presbyterian background so he likes quoting Spurgeon and other Reformed Baptist and Reformed Theologians. But he resigned 6 months ago from calvary Chapel after 10 years of pastoring In This calvary Chapel and he moved to another State to I, think, another Church De nomination. So during This 6 months that the Council is looking for a senior pastor, a
Line up of invited speakers from other calvary Chapel churches come to our Church to preach and I can sense that they are anti-calvinist In their exposition of the Bible. I a.m a Calvinist.

[mitsunobumiyahira]

Biblical understanding of Martin Luther's"Bondage of the Will" seems to be indispensable as Dr. Michael Reeves rightly referred.

[jimpemberton]

Regarding the question: "How do you lovingly press the Reformation distinctives in a land trouble by sectarian strife?"

I was waiting for this observation to be made regarding the reformation: Reformation is necessary precisely because there is sectarian strife. In fact, while the Reformation was named after the movement to reform the RCC specifically, and the known world of Christian theology in general, the idea that the nature of the Gospel is central links the Reformation of the Church catholic to the regeneration of each of it's members, and the renewal of churches locally. The words we use for this are all basically the same. Similar to Dr. Ferguson's observation that "regeneration" and "born again" are basically the same thing, "revival, " "renewal, " "regeneration, " and "reformation" are all basically the same word. Sectarian strife can be understood broadly as in this question or understood internally within a person's soul. I've heard it jokingly said that any two people will have three opinions on any given subject. The reason we have a Reformation at all is because we have sectarian strife. The Reformation addressed the sectarian strife that existed within the RCC due to its abusive lack of sound teaching, caused further sectarianism in pursuit of a greater understanding of the Gospel, and spread amidst great sectarianism. To observe that there is division on the stage among these fine teachers is to observe that there is sectarianism within the Reformation itself. Baptists were among the writers of the WCF, but the Baptists found it necessary to craft the LBCF in its wake. We aren't going to escape sectarianism in this lifetime. If we do, then the preaching of the Gospel will no longer be needed. It's here in abundance anyway because of the fall and the noetic effects of sin. We don't need to manufacture it as I fear some believe. We need to understand that it's our constant milieu. It's our audience. It's our field of work. Within our Reformation fellowship, we can set the example of how we place the Gospel above our deepest divisions. Outside our Reformation fellowship, we should proclaim the Gospel as the solitary place of agreement in this fallen world bound to each other by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit and the renewing of our minds as the elect of God, bought by the blood of Jesus Christ for his glory. That IS the Reformation.

[RasMajnouni]

Am not understanding: Is Accepting Jesus and following his teachings in my whole life with action the theme, or is Accepting Jesus and acquiring Heaven the main thing? Am I clean after acceptance and tied to God always in my time on earth or does that happen only in Heaven?.

[lawrencestanley]

At 26:30, the question was asked: "as Christians, do we have free will..." Well, Jesus declared His utter dependence upon the Father for all things in so many different ways: “the Son can do nothing of Himself” (John 5:19), “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39), “I can do nothing on my own initiative” (John 5:30), “not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38), “I do nothing on My own initiative” (John 8:28), “I did not speak on my own initiative” (John 12:49), and “I do not speak on my own initiative” (John 14:10).

So, if the words, actions, and even the will of Christ are all declared to be wholly dependent upon the Father and contingent upon His will, how is it then that we can have the arrogance to assert a free will when not even the will of Christ is said to be “free?” If we as pitiful, sinful creatures, disobedient to God in all our ways attempt to boast of an autonomy from God even in our own will, we are boasting of more power than the Son of God. Indeed, all things are ordained of God, and this includes the will of the creature.

[MountCarmel]

Why the Devil and his Agents hate the Sabbath command? Read Revelation 12v17 and Exodus 20v8-11