Sinclair Ferguson
Stats
· Born:
1948
·

Church
Senior Minister of the
First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina

·
Education:
Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen
· Denomination:
ARP
· Theology:
Covenantal, Monergistic, 5-point Calvinist, Amillennialist




 

 
 

 

"Union with Christ in his death and resurrection is the element of union which Paul most extensively expounds...if we are united to Christ, then we are united to him at all points of his activity on our behalf. We share in his death (we were baptized into his death), in his resurrection (we are resurrected with Christ), in his ascension (we have been raised with him), in his heavenly session (we sit with him in heavenly places, so that our life is hidden with Christ in God), and we will share in his promised return (when Christ, who is our life, appears, we also will appear with him in glory) (Rom. 6:14; Col. 2:11-12; 3:1-3).

This, then, is the foundation of sanctification in Reformed theology. It is rooted, not in humanity and their achievement of holiness or sanctification, but in what God has done in Christ, and for us in union with him. Rather than view Christians first and foremost in the microcosmic context of their own progress, the Reformed doctrine first of all sets them in the macrocosm of God's activity in redemptive history. It is seeing oneself in this context that enables the individual Christian to grow in true holiness."

- Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, 'Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification', Ed. Donald Alexander, Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1988.


Biographical Sketch

Dr. Sinclair Ferguson (born 1948) is a Scottish theologian known in Reformed Christian circles for his teaching, writing, and editorial work. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen and has been an minister in the Church of Scotland since 1971. He has served as an editor with the Banner of Truth Trust and worked as a minister at St George's-Tron Church, Glasgow.

Ferguson currently was called to Senior Minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina to become effective in December of 2005. He has previously held the Charles Krahe Chair for Systematic Theology at the Philadelphia campus. He has also taught at other reformed protestant seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary.

Ferguson is a friend of R. C. Sproul and has been a speaker at a number of Sproul's Ligonier Conferences. Books he has written, edited or contributed to include:

Bibliography

Devoted to God: Blueprints for Sanctification (2016)
The Whole Christ (2016)
Church History 101: The Highlights of Twenty Centuries (2016)
Child in the Manger (2015)
Ichthus: Jesus Christ, God's Son, the Saviour (2015)
From the Mouth of God (2014)
By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me (2010)
In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life
(2009)
Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth
Man Overboard!: The Story of Jonah
Faithful God: An Exposition of the Book of Ruth (2008)
The Plan: How God Got the World Ready for Jesus
John Owen: The Man and His Theology (2003) ISBN 0875526748
The Preacher's Commentary - Vol. 21 - Daniel (2002) ISBN 0785247955
The Big Book of Questions & Answers about Jesus (2000) ISBN 1857925599
The Grace of Repentance (Today's Issues) (2000) ISBN 1581341652
Reformed Confessions Harmonized (1999) ISBN 080105222X, editor with Joel Beeke
Let's Study Mark (1999) ISBN 0851517552
Let's Study Philippians (1998) ISBN 0851517145
Let's Study Ephesians (2005)
Big Book of Questions and Answers (1997) ISBN 1857922956
The Holy Spirit (1997) ISBN 0830815368
Heart for God (1996) ISBN 0851515029
The Christian Life (1996) ISBN 0851515169
Discovering God's Will (1996) ISBN 0851513344
Sermon on the Mount (1996) ISBN 0851515193
The Pundit's Folly (1996) ISBN 0851516769
Grow in Grace (1989) ISBN 0851515576
Children of the Living God (1989) ISBN 0851515363
New Dictionary of Theology (Master Reference Collection) (1988) ISBN 0830814000, editor with David Wright and J. I. Packer
Daniel (Mastering the Old Testament, Vol 19) (1988) ISBN 0849935571
John Owen on the Christian Life (1987) ISBN 0851515037

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MP3 Sermon and Lecture Series

Old Testament:

Genesis
Joshua
Ruth
1 Kings
2 Kings
Nehemiah
Psalms
Daniel
Joel
Jonah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

New Testament:

Matthew
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
2 Cornthians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
1 John
Revelation

Topical MP3 Series:

Attributes of GodDoctrine of the Holy Spirit, Abraham, Joseph, GraceTruth to Live ByDoctrine of the CovenantThe ChurchJesusThe Coming of JesusStudies in SanctificationSix People You Meet En Route to CalvaryThe Greatest (Matthew 11)…PreachingLife and Theology of John OwenFive Questions About JesusMen are from God and so are WomenTreasures of GraceNine Essential Keys to the Christian LifeRomans 8The MinistryThe Faith We ProclaimHall of Contemporary ReformersWhat is a Christian?, Islam, Jesus of Nazareth, Saviour and Lord, Preaching in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Pastoral Lessons From the Marrow Controversy (MP3 Series & Manuscript)

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Articles
The Reformed View of Sanctification
Jesus is our Sanctification
Our New Affection
The Mystery of Providence - Genesis 50:20
Something to Boast About? - Romans 5:1-11
Overcoming Sin - James
Experiencing Trials
The Surprising Truth about Legalism
The Marrow Controversy

Scripture and Tradition: The Bible and Tradition in Roman Catholicism
"Little Innocents"
Discovering God's Will

New Birth
Where God Looks First
Who is the Holy Spirit? (.pdf)
The Spiritual Appetite
Jesus Christ, the Conquering King
Are Altar Calls Biblical?
The Authority, Sufficiency, Finality of Scripture
Boldy and Expectantly Leaning on the Promises
Discernment: Thinking God's Thoughts after Him
Expelling Worldliness with a New Affection
The Task of Seeking God's Mysterious Will
John Owen On The Spirit In The Life Of Christ
Medieval Mistakes
Preaching Christ from the Old Testament (outstanding)
John Owen On The Spirit In The Life Of Christ
The Ministry of Reconcilliation
Is Wright Teaching Another Gospel?
Critique of Norman Shepherd's The Covenant Context for Evangelism
What Does Justification Have to Do With the Gospel?
(Critique of N.T. Wright)
How to Mortify Sin
The Practice of Mortification
The Author of Faith
Do We Deserve Heaven?
What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?
The Use of the Law in Evangelism
Making Jesus in Our Own Image
Calvin on the Sacraments

The Puritans: Can They Teach Us Anything Today? (Part 1)
The Puritans: Can They Teach Us Anything Today? (Part 2)

 

Selected Multimedia

Universalism and The Reality of Eternal Punishment: Contemporary Preaching (MP3)
Universalism and The Reality of Eternal Punishment: The Biblical Basis
(MP3)
Universalism and The Reality of Eternal Punishment: The Justice and Mercy of God (MP3)
Guarding the Gospel: The Pastor’s Calling (MP3)
Guarding the Gospel: The Pastor’s Privilege (MP3)
Guarding the Gospel: The Pastor’s Burden (MP3)

Theological Education Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (MP3)
Experiencing Trials - James 1 (MP3)
Series on Ephesians (MP3 Series)
"The Emergent Church and its Emerging Leaders: Studies in 2 Timothy" (8-Part Series)
"Jesus of Nazareth, Savior and Lord" (12-Part MP3 Series) - (scroll down) -
Irresistible Grace
The Law and the Saint
"Our Holiness: The Father's Purpose and the Son's Purchase" (Titus 2:11-14) MP3
"Our Holiness: Abiding in Christ's Love" (John 15:1-11) Mp3

Union With Christ Part I, Part II
Christus Victor - Christ the Conqueror (MP3)
Alone with God (MP3)
Worshiping God - Hebrews 2:10-18 (wma)
The Providence of God - Genesis 50:15-21 (wma)
Jesus' Interaction for Believers - John 17:24 (wma)
The giving of the Holy Spirit to Believers - John 14:15-27 (wma)
Hebrews 2:5-18; 8:1-7; 12:18-24 (MP3)
Romans 8:9-32 (MP3)

Slavery or Sonship (MP3)

"It is legitimate to speak of “receiving grace,” and sometimes (although I am somewhat cautious about the possibility of misusing language) we speak of the preaching of the Word, prayer, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper as “means of grace.” That is fine, so long as we remember that there isn’t a thing, a substance, or a “quasi-substance” called “grace.” All there is is the person of the Lord Jesus — “Christ clothed in the gospel,” as Calvin loved to put it. Grace is the grace of Jesus. If I can highlight the thought here: there is no “thing” that Jesus takes from Himself and then, as it were, hands over to me. There is only Jesus Himself....Grasping that thought can make a significant difference to a Christian’s life. So while some people might think this is just splitting hairs about different ways of saying the same thing, it can make a vital difference. It is not a thing that was crucified to give us a thing called grace. It was the person of the Lord Jesus that was crucified in order that He might give Himself to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit." – Sinclair Ferguson

 

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