Empty Boots
Introduction
Just this January, I had the joy of attending the annual conference for Founders Ministries. All the singing, speakers, and content were excellent and edifying, but I admit, there was one man who I was especially looking forward to hearing.
Dr. Voddie Baucham had recently relocated from Zambia to serve as the incoming president of Founders Seminary beginning this fall, and to say that his presence and his preaching commanded respect is an understatement. He preached on the character of ministers and how God uses pastors behind the pulpit in revival. I was moved. I was encouraged.
On the second day of the conference, I spied Dr. Baucham sitting in his pew between sessions reviewing his notes. It was a rare moment in which no one had approached him for conversation. I cautiously approached him to say hello and ask him to sign a copy of one of his books. He was a mountain of a man. His hands were like catcher's mitts. His voice was thunderous. He was terribly kind. Our interaction was 30-45 seconds, tops. I tried to not sound too much like a "fanboy," thanked him and returned to my seat, trying to focus on slowing my heart rate. I'd met one of my heroes of the faith. What a privilege. Fast forward.
I was on the phone yesterday afternoon when my friend paused, mid-sentence.
"O no," he said. I could tell he pulled the phone away from his ear to view something on his screen.
"What's up?" I asked.
He sighed deeply. "Voddie Baucham just died."
I went outside and I cried, but it wasn't the first time this year I'd mourned the departure of a prominent saint.
Dr. Voddie Baucham had recently relocated from Zambia to serve as the incoming president of Founders Seminary beginning this fall, and to say that his presence and his preaching commanded respect is an understatement. He preached on the character of ministers and how God uses pastors behind the pulpit in revival. I was moved. I was encouraged.
On the second day of the conference, I spied Dr. Baucham sitting in his pew between sessions reviewing his notes. It was a rare moment in which no one had approached him for conversation. I cautiously approached him to say hello and ask him to sign a copy of one of his books. He was a mountain of a man. His hands were like catcher's mitts. His voice was thunderous. He was terribly kind. Our interaction was 30-45 seconds, tops. I tried to not sound too much like a "fanboy," thanked him and returned to my seat, trying to focus on slowing my heart rate. I'd met one of my heroes of the faith. What a privilege. Fast forward.
I was on the phone yesterday afternoon when my friend paused, mid-sentence.
"O no," he said. I could tell he pulled the phone away from his ear to view something on his screen.
"What's up?" I asked.
He sighed deeply. "Voddie Baucham just died."
I went outside and I cried, but it wasn't the first time this year I'd mourned the departure of a prominent saint.
A Year of Great Loss
Dr. Baucham went to be with our Lord just yesterday from a yet unnamed medical issue.
The world is still reeling from the death of the prominent evangelist, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated September 10th.
Just two months ago, on July 14th, longtime pastor John MacArthur passed away after years of faithfulness. All three of these men had gravitas. They had weight to their words and mission.
Pastor MacArthur was, perhaps, the greatest example of modern faithfulness, pastoring the same church body for more than half a century.
Dr. Baucham was, in my mind, the quintessential example of a bold and biblical preacher, inspiring ministers over the world as they approach the Word of God Sunday after Sunday.
And Charlie? As has been widely and truly stated, Charlie was one of us. But he was more than that. Charlie showed the way to the coming generation, teaching us how to bring our faith into the public square with kindness and firmness.
And now all three are gone.
What is going on? I find myself crying out to God and asking why he is taking these prominent men out of the game. Voddie was only 56 years old. Charlie was younger than me. Many believe our nation is primed and on the cusp of revival. For all intents and purposes, from our creaturely standpoint, this seems like a very unfortunate time to remove these saints.
Times like this require a foundation of solid, biblical understanding. We need doctrine. Now is not the time to speculate, but to turn to our God and what he has revealed. We seek comfort. We find it in the Scriptures.
The world is still reeling from the death of the prominent evangelist, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated September 10th.
Just two months ago, on July 14th, longtime pastor John MacArthur passed away after years of faithfulness. All three of these men had gravitas. They had weight to their words and mission.
Pastor MacArthur was, perhaps, the greatest example of modern faithfulness, pastoring the same church body for more than half a century.
Dr. Baucham was, in my mind, the quintessential example of a bold and biblical preacher, inspiring ministers over the world as they approach the Word of God Sunday after Sunday.
And Charlie? As has been widely and truly stated, Charlie was one of us. But he was more than that. Charlie showed the way to the coming generation, teaching us how to bring our faith into the public square with kindness and firmness.
And now all three are gone.
What is going on? I find myself crying out to God and asking why he is taking these prominent men out of the game. Voddie was only 56 years old. Charlie was younger than me. Many believe our nation is primed and on the cusp of revival. For all intents and purposes, from our creaturely standpoint, this seems like a very unfortunate time to remove these saints.
Times like this require a foundation of solid, biblical understanding. We need doctrine. Now is not the time to speculate, but to turn to our God and what he has revealed. We seek comfort. We find it in the Scriptures.
Timely Reminders
Let's be reminded of a few simple yet profound truths that we need to keep in front of our faces.
God's decree still stands. Don't forget that God has declared the end from the beginning, and all things fit into his eternal decree (Is. 46:10). God did not drop the ball by accidentally letting three giants of the faith die in the same year. We say God is big, and that's true. Here's the deal - He's big enough to take ownership for these deaths. Don't forget that this is his world. History belongs to him. His crown rule includes the right to take his saints home at the time he has predetermined.
Death comes to all. This is among the saddest statements in Scripture. Death comes to all. Don't forget that these giants were in fact mortal. They, like us, were born under the curse of sin and began to experience the curse of decay from their birth. Until our Lord returns, death is a horrible but fixed guest in this creation. C.S. Lewis once wrote about the topic of war and how much of a travesty war is. While granting that times of war are especially sad, Lewis reminds his readers that every young man who dies in battle is a man who would have died eventually, even had he never touched a gun or put on a uniform. The departure is inevitable. The point is this: death comes to all.
Church history didn't start with these men, nor will it end with them.
The halls of faith are full of saints who lived profoundly and should be remembered honorably (Heb. 11). The three saints mentioned here are now added to that glorious roster. Before Dr. Baucham, there was Dr. Lloyd-Jones. Before him was a man named Spurgeon. Before Spurgeon was Keach, Calvin, and Luther, and so on, and so on, right back to the beginning. In short, church, take some comfort here. The growth and success of Christ's church has never rested on one man, save for the God-man, Jesus Christ. God's will was accomplished in the world via the church before these men, and we are assured by Christ himself that the work will continue (Mat. 16).
Their deaths are precious to God.
Lastly, know that God is not weeping over the loss of these saints. Heaven has gained three warriors who are now resting where they belong - in the indescribable presence of their God, the angels, and the gathering of all the saints who preceded them. Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (ESV)
God has a will to execute on earth, for certain. But this is also true: God delights in bringing his children home!
God's decree still stands. Don't forget that God has declared the end from the beginning, and all things fit into his eternal decree (Is. 46:10). God did not drop the ball by accidentally letting three giants of the faith die in the same year. We say God is big, and that's true. Here's the deal - He's big enough to take ownership for these deaths. Don't forget that this is his world. History belongs to him. His crown rule includes the right to take his saints home at the time he has predetermined.
Death comes to all. This is among the saddest statements in Scripture. Death comes to all. Don't forget that these giants were in fact mortal. They, like us, were born under the curse of sin and began to experience the curse of decay from their birth. Until our Lord returns, death is a horrible but fixed guest in this creation. C.S. Lewis once wrote about the topic of war and how much of a travesty war is. While granting that times of war are especially sad, Lewis reminds his readers that every young man who dies in battle is a man who would have died eventually, even had he never touched a gun or put on a uniform. The departure is inevitable. The point is this: death comes to all.
Church history didn't start with these men, nor will it end with them.
The halls of faith are full of saints who lived profoundly and should be remembered honorably (Heb. 11). The three saints mentioned here are now added to that glorious roster. Before Dr. Baucham, there was Dr. Lloyd-Jones. Before him was a man named Spurgeon. Before Spurgeon was Keach, Calvin, and Luther, and so on, and so on, right back to the beginning. In short, church, take some comfort here. The growth and success of Christ's church has never rested on one man, save for the God-man, Jesus Christ. God's will was accomplished in the world via the church before these men, and we are assured by Christ himself that the work will continue (Mat. 16).
Their deaths are precious to God.
Lastly, know that God is not weeping over the loss of these saints. Heaven has gained three warriors who are now resting where they belong - in the indescribable presence of their God, the angels, and the gathering of all the saints who preceded them. Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (ESV)
God has a will to execute on earth, for certain. But this is also true: God delights in bringing his children home!
Empty Boots
These men left giant boots to fill. It might be overwhelming to think about the prospect of seeing them filled by others. Who is up to such a calling?
To remove the pressure, just know that men of their degree are indeed rare. They were great and not just anybody can replace them in their capacities. What are we to do? Let me call us to a few items of action.
First, pray. Ask God to raise up godly leaders to preach with the power of a Voddie Baucham, to exhibit the faithfulness of John MacArthur, and to show bravery and love like Charlie Kirk.
Second, do your part. It's highly likely that no one will ever write or read about the feats of faith accomplished at Bayview Bible Church, and that's ok. God has called us to simple faithfulness here and now. He sees your heart. He commends our lives. Live for God and embrace the role he's given you, however big or small.
Third, have high expectations. God will replace these men. We know this, because Jesus cares about the church much more than we do. He can raise up another MacArthur, Baucham, or Kirk tomorrow. He could raise ten-thousand of them, if that's his will. He knows we need church leaders who are uniquely gifted to lead the way in a limited, human capacity. He knows. And he'll provide them. He already is.
To remove the pressure, just know that men of their degree are indeed rare. They were great and not just anybody can replace them in their capacities. What are we to do? Let me call us to a few items of action.
First, pray. Ask God to raise up godly leaders to preach with the power of a Voddie Baucham, to exhibit the faithfulness of John MacArthur, and to show bravery and love like Charlie Kirk.
Second, do your part. It's highly likely that no one will ever write or read about the feats of faith accomplished at Bayview Bible Church, and that's ok. God has called us to simple faithfulness here and now. He sees your heart. He commends our lives. Live for God and embrace the role he's given you, however big or small.
Third, have high expectations. God will replace these men. We know this, because Jesus cares about the church much more than we do. He can raise up another MacArthur, Baucham, or Kirk tomorrow. He could raise ten-thousand of them, if that's his will. He knows we need church leaders who are uniquely gifted to lead the way in a limited, human capacity. He knows. And he'll provide them. He already is.
Conclusion
Praise God for the printing press and the internet. The voices of these men will carry on, I pray, for generations. I will continue to benefit from them. I can read them. I can hear their voices. I can tell my kids about the time I met Dr. Baucham at the Founders Conference or the time I chatted with John MacArthur in the airport, thinking he highly resembled Al Pacino (true story).
Mourn them. Continue to learn from them. Thank God for them. Most importantly, take your own boots out of the box, lace them up, and put them on. Make it your goal to wear them out with what life you have left. My prayer for us all is that, when the Lord calls us home, our boots will look just as ragged as Voddie's.
Mourn them. Continue to learn from them. Thank God for them. Most importantly, take your own boots out of the box, lace them up, and put them on. Make it your goal to wear them out with what life you have left. My prayer for us all is that, when the Lord calls us home, our boots will look just as ragged as Voddie's.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
September
2024
February
July
September
November