Alliance Council member, Robert Charles Sproul was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1939. In 1961, he graduated from Westminster College with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He earned his B.D. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1964, and the following year he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. He traveled to Holland in1965, where he earned his Drs. in Systematic Theology from the Free University of Amsterdam in 1969. During this time, he returned to the United States to complete his studies, and taught philosophy and theology at Westminster College, Gordon College, and the Gordon-Conwell School of Theology before serving on the staff of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1971, Dr. Sproul helped establish the Ligonier Valley Study Center in western Pennsylvania. The center provided an intimate setting where students could pursue a deeper understanding of the holiness of God. In order to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s materials, the ministry moved to Orlando, Florida, in 1984. Dr. Sproul continues to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God as principal teacher and chairman for Ligonier Ministries. He has written 60 books, scores of magazine articles for evangelical publications, and produced more than 300 lecture series. Some of his lecture series have been featured on the daily national radio broadcast, Renewing Your Mind.                

Dr. Sproul has also had a distinguished academic teaching career. He taught systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary beginning in 1980, where he later served as the John Dyer Trimble Chair of Systematic Theology for eight years. From 1995–2004, he served as Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Knox Theological Seminary.

In addition to his teaching career, Dr. Sproul has served on the national boards of several organizations, including Prison Fellowship and the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Dr. Sproul also served as president of the Executive Committee of the International Council of Biblical Inerrancy.  Dr. Sproul currently serves as the Director of Serve International, and Senior Minister of Preaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida.

Dr. Sproul married his wife, Vesta, in 1960. Their first child, Sherrie, was born in 1961. Their son, Robert Craig, was born in 1965, shortly after they returned home from Amsterdam, Holland. Dr. Sproul enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. When he is not engaged in other activities, Dr. Sproul enjoys reading, watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, playing the piano, or learning to play the violin.

Dr. Sproul has written numerous books, many of which are available for purchase online, including:

Essential Truths of the Christian Faith

The Soul's Quest for God

The Holiness of God

Chosen By God

Defending Your Faith - An Introduction to Apologetics

Dr. Sproul has also been among the featured speakers at several PCRT events including:

PCRT 2003: Christ and His Church

PCRT 1975: On Knowing God

PCRT 1976: Our Sovereign God

PCRT 1977: Man the Sinner, Man the Saint

As well as many others, most of which are available through our online catalog: Reformational Resources