This fall I am going to be taking a course taught by R.C. Sproul—a brand new course based on his most recent teaching series, “Justified by Faith Alone.” Even better, I’ll be moderating the course so you can take it with me, for free! With the 500th anniversary of the Reformation fast approaching, there is no better time to ensure you have a solid understanding of this key doctrine. And, at least as far as I’m concerned, there is no better guide to it than Dr. Sproul. To be clear, this is not vintage R.C. Sproul, but a brand new course he recently created and recorded. In it he explores the biblical, theological, and historical significance of the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
How It Works
The course will run for 8 weeks, beginning September 6 and continuing until November 1 (which, of course, ties in nicely with Reformation Day). The format is ultra simple: Each week you will watch a video, take a brief quiz to test your learning, and, if you like, engage in discussions with other people who are taking the course. You’ll also be able to ask questions and vote on other people’s questions to determine which will be addressed during the optional Google Hangouts.
Let me tell you about these video-based Hangouts. I will be hosting them weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30–6:00 pm ET. You’ll be able to watch and then jump in to ask questions. This will be a time to talk about what we’ve learned and to answer questions about it. Even better, every other week I will be joined by an expert on theology or church history to answer your questions and to dive deeper into that week’s topic.
Want to know a little bit more about the course? Here goes:
Faith alone is the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” The doctrine of justification by faith alone is at the center of Reformation theology, and remains critical for all believers today. This doctrine is continually under assault, yet without it, there is no gospel. In this course, Dr. Sproul explores the doctrine of justification historically, theologically, and biblically. He carefully defines each term in the phrase “justification by faith alone” while pointing to the imputation of a perfect righteousness found only in Jesus Christ.
And here is the course schedule:
- Preview Week (Aug. 29–Sep. 4): “A Doctrine for Today”
- Week 1 (Sep. 5–11): “Martin Luther”
- Week 2 (Sep. 12–18): “The Ninety-Five Theses”
- Week 3 (Sep. 19–25): “The Roman Catholic View”
- Week 4 (Sep. 26–Oct. 2): “Defining Our Terms”
- Week 5 (Oct. 3–9): “By Faith Alone”
- Week 6 (Oct. 10–16): “Paul’s Letter to the Romans”
- Week 7 (Oct. 17–23): “The Consequences of Justification”
- Week 8 (Oct. 24–30): “Paul vs. James?”
Getting Started
Enrollment is open right now at connect.ligonier.org. You can access the course, preview the learning path, and, of course, register. Access to the course material will open on August 29 with a preview week titled “A Doctrine for Today.” The course will officially begin on Tuesday, September 6 when I host the first Hangout.
We have even arranged a nice little bonus for you: Everyone who completes the course will receive a hard copy of R.C. Sproul’s excellent book The Truth of the Cross. That will be sent your way once the course is complete.
I’d love for you to join in and take “Justified by Faith Alone” with me. Again, it is completely free and requires just an hour or two per week between now and November 1. I think you will find it both challenging and edifying. Why not take it with your spouse, with your family, with your small group? Get creative and get learning!
Click here to get started.
