Brotherly Affection

Something that encourages me

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I haven’t watched much of the Shepherd’s Conference; generally because I don’t watch or listen to many sermons these days. I did, however, notice that the Q&A included Phil Johnson, John Piper, Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and Mark Dever.

Perhaps you know that some of these men were on the same panel in 2019 and, well, it didn’t necessarily go smoothly. I won’t get into the weeds, but there was clearly a type of division among them that was playing a role. But it’s because of this history that it thrilled my heart to see these men together again, all reminiscing about their late mutual friend, John MacArthur.

There was no bickering, no annoyance, no division, no defensiveness. Only lighthearted joking and thinking deeply about the gospel impact J-Mac had on so many people. It was beautiful and encouraging to see.

A few notes come to mind as I watched this panel. These are brief but, in my opinion, important as we think through unity in the church and love for other brothers.

• John Piper talked extensively at one point about the difference in emotions between him and MacArthur. It was a rather intriguing conversation about the difference between them and how they both point to the gospel. At one point, after telling a story, Piper said this, “If you don’t like either person, maybe your problem is you don’t like the gospel.” God uses both men and their personalities while preaching and pastoring.

• There was, of course, playful jabs on baptism. How can there not be?

• They also spoke briefly about J-Mac’s close friendship with RC Sproul. I miss Sproul so much. I know he’s having a better time than all of us, but his prowess and faithfulness and heart for the gospel would be so great today.

• I think there’s been a bit of a shift toward unity in the evangelical-Reformed world. This is partly due to the exposure of Josh Buice’s sin of strife and division, but also the death of John MacArthur. We can come together, love each other, and appreciate one another, despite our differences—even if they’re stark differences!

• Dr. Mohler showed his appreciation for both RC and J-Mac: “We’d not be the men we are without both of those men.” Beautiful.

• It’s evident that these men have a genuine affection for each other that towers over any difference they may have. That’s a principle we should all follow as well.

• I pray for a day when you wouldn’t go on social media and see people bad-mouthing these men, calling them (all except Johnson) woke and leftist. It reeks of division and is demonic. I truly believe there are many “gatekeepers” in the online world who, at first glance, claim to follow the Lord, but actually thrive off of division, strife, and it reveals where their heart truly resides.

• Let me state it plainly: I am eternally grateful for Phil Johnson, John Piper, Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and Mark Dever.