Along with our three girls we visited an Orlando home in the early nineties where a new Church plant was forming. We were warmly welcomed and received in the home but mostly encouraged by the clarity of R.C.’s message. The need for reverence in worship was proclaimed and demonstrated.
Some years later he spoke lucidly and passionately to a group of people from the publishing and book selling world using a phrase which we need to understand. “Saved from God, by God.” The audience from across the world was encouraged and challenged to keep this essential message at the forefront of all we do.
At a Desiring God pastors’ conference in 2007 our hearts were warmed under the sound of the Gospel with particular attention to the holiness of God. R.C. was captivated as we were by the thrice holy antiphonal call of the angels. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6.3.). “The angels were not content with one ‘holy’ or with two, it had to the superlative, ‘Holy, holy, holy.”
R.C. loved preaching and teaching and writing but I will remember him primarily for his love for the triune God and his word. How thankful we should for his ministry to so many and his publishing legacy which we are privileged to have had a part in. At my last personal meeting with him, R.C. was in a wheelchair at a PCA General Assembly. We reflected together on the saying “We know that His love for us will never end, because it never started.” R.C. wept then but not now.
My mind has been going to the Scottish metrical Psalm 107 verse 30.Then are they glad, because at restand quiet now they be:So to the haven he them brings,Which they desired to see.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Vesta, the family and his colleagues.