Scottish theologian speaks at School of Christian Ministries lecture

Riverside, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2022) – Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson, a Scottish theologian, shared with the audience what it means to know Christ while speaking for the School of Christian Ministries Lecture Series at California Baptist University on Oct. 4.

He is a chancellor’s professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Ferguson has served as a minister of two churches in Scotland and at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. He has authored about 50 books and has contributed to many more.

Ferguson talked about the life of Saul of Tarsus and his conversion into Paul the Apostle.

“In Philippians 3, it may be the supreme place where Paul takes you inside the transition he experienced,” Ferguson said. “It’s not stated how he viewed himself before he became a Christian, but [he states] what it meant for him to experience this surprising conversion of his own life.”

Paul said that righteousness from God depends on faith so that believers may know Him and be found in Him, Ferguson said, quoting Philippians 3:8-9 (ESV): “For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith ...”

With his conversion, Paul became a man in Christ, Ferguson said.

“No wonder the Apostle Paul spoke about the surpassing greatness of Christ,” Ferguson said. “That’s the narrative of a surprising conversion.”

Paul writes to know Christ also means to know the Trinity, Ferguson said.

“You begin to notice how [Paul] weaves together Father, Son and Holy Spirit in all kinds of marveleous ways,” Ferguson said. “What is clearly central in Paul’s ministry is his devotion to Jesus Christ and the riches of God’s grace that he had discovered in Jesus.”  

About 200 people attended the event. The lecture series provides an opportunity for students, alumni, faculty members, pastors and guests to learn from leading evangelical scholars who use their academic expertise to serve the church.