logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2023
3m 31s

Reading the Hard Parts of the Bible

LIGONIER MINISTRIES
About this episode

What should we do when we find passages of the Bible that frighten or confuse us? In this episode, R.C. Sproul encourages us not to avoid the hard passages of Scripture but to fix our attention on them for our growth.

A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://gift.ligonier.org/1529/ultimately

If this podcast has been a blessing to you, try these other podcasts from Ligonier:

Renewing Your Mind: https://renewingyourmind.org/

5 Minutes in Church History: https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/

Ask Ligonier: https://ask.ligonier.org/podcast

Open Book: https://openbookpodcast.com/

Simply Put: https://simplyputpodcast.com/

The Westminster Shorter Catechism with Sinclair Ferguson: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/westminster-shorter-catechism/

Luther: In Real Time https://lutherinrealtime.com/

Up next
Aug 22
The Sinless Son
There was never a moment when Jesus failed to do what we have never succeeded in doing: love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. Today, R.C. Sproul marvels at the sinless Son whose perfect obedience gives us access to the Father. Read the transcript: https://ligonie ... Show More
1m 26s
Aug 20
Christ the Supreme Prophet
As the Word of God incarnate, Jesus is both the supreme Messenger and the supreme message of biblical prophecy. Today, R.C. Sproul explains what it means to have Christ as our Prophet. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/christ-the-supreme ... Show More
3m 21s
Aug 18
Abraham Believed God
Abraham was counted righteous in God’s sight—not on the basis of any works Abraham performed, but because of his faith in the promise of God. Today, R.C. Sproul calls us to exercise the same trust in the Lord, for God is altogether trustworthy. Read the transcript: https://ligoni ... Show More
1m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Beloved Bible Verses
What is your favorite passage in the Bible? Today, Sinclair Ferguson turns to one of the most cherished sections of Scripture and begins to address the remarkable questions that these verses raise. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-fer ... Show More
4m 55s
Dec 2024
Praying the Gospel
Psalm 103 is about how to handle life in general. It, in a sense, gives you the key approach to handle all of life’s circumstances, all of life’s situations, no matter what they are. And at first, this key feels anticlimactic.  What does it say the whole problem of our hearts is? ... Show More
41m 28s
Jan 2025
The Rest-Giver
Hebrews is written to first-century, urban people who are so weary with troubles and difficulties that they’re in danger of giving up. What do they need?  It’s pretty obvious from this passage what the writer is trying to get across: because eight times in eleven verses we see th ... Show More
42m 21s
Jan 2025
A Better Resurrection (Easter)
The book of Hebrews is written to people who are so beaten down with troubles that they’re ready to give up.  The writer is trying to give the readers what they need to handle the brutal realities of life in this world. In Hebrews 11, he gives us something that helps us handle an ... Show More
33m 20s
Dec 2021
April 7, 1521: The Road to Erfurt [Rebroadcast]
As Martin Luther arrives at Erfurt, the thought comes to him: his journey to Worms had really begun here 16 years ago. Today, Luther preaches to more than 2,000 listeners, reminding them of the truth of the gospel. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https: ... Show More
11m 44s
Jul 2024
The Word of God
Who, or what, is God's Word? In this episode, Barry Cooper explains why both Jesus and the Bible are called the "Word" of God. Read the transcript: https://simplyputpodcast.com/the-word-of-god/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https: ... Show More
5m 2s
Jan 2025
Members of One Another
If you’re going to deal with the brutal realities of life, the writer of Hebrews says you have to have shepherds in your life. Hebrews is written to people whose lives are filled with problems. And here, in the last passage of Hebrews, the writer tells us if we’re gonna make it, ... Show More
41 m
Aug 2024
Set Apart for God
The Bible teaches us a new vocabulary for understanding the Christian life, and one crucial word it gives to our identity is "sanctified." Today, Sinclair Ferguson explores what it means to be people who are set apart for God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/th ... Show More
6m 11s
May 16
The Lord of the Sabbath
In Mark 2, Jesus makes a claim that is so over the top, so out of all categories, so outrageous that the religious leaders don’t even have a word for it. They’ve called him blasphemous before, but this claim goes beyond their words. In this passage, two incidents are linked toget ... Show More
41m 41s
Nov 2024
How Does the Gospel Work in Our Lives?
The gospel transforms our relationships with fellow Christians in the church, with those in authority over us, and even with our enemies. Today, Sinclair Ferguson brings application from the closing chapters of Romans. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-uns ... Show More
6m 59s