Renewing Your Mind – “I AM: The Name of God” Podcast by Ligonier Ministries | Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul | Host: Nathan W. Bingham | Date: September 6, 2025

Overview

In this insightful episode, Dr. R.C. Sproul examines Moses’ encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3), focusing on the profound revelation of God’s name: “I AM WHO I AM” (Yahweh). Sproul explores what this name discloses about God’s being, character, and relationship to humanity, contrasting the biblical God’s personal, holy nature with modern, impersonal concepts of “higher power.” The discussion underscores how properly knowing God’s identity is essential both for personal humility and for worship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Moses and the Crisis of Encountering the Holy

• The Holy as Experience [00:04–00:27]
  • When Moses encounters the burning bush, he is confronted with God’s holiness, leading to fear.
  • “So Moses has this momentary encounter with the holy. And the closer he gets, the more afraid he becomes.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [00:04]
• Human Frailty before God
  • People in scripture regularly react with terror when they experience God’s holiness (cf. Isaiah 6).

God’s Compassionate Action – He Sees, He Hears, He Knows

[01:23–03:30]

• God tells Moses, “I have seen the oppression of my people… I have heard their cry… I know their sorrows.” (Exodus 3:7)
• Three verbs define God’s character:
  • He sees suffering, hears cries, and knows pain.
  • “We know that the God who is revealed here is not blind, nor is he deaf, nor is he ignorant.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [01:54]

The Double Question: “Who Am I?” and “Who Are You?”

[03:30–09:35]

• Moses’ First Question: “Who am I?”
  • Moses struggles with his own identity and sense of insufficiency for God’s mission.
  • “All of a sudden, Moses apparently doesn’t know who he is… Who am I to do this?” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [03:49]
• Sproul cites Calvin: Knowledge of God precedes knowledge of self
  • “We never know who we are until we first know who God is.” — Referring to Calvin’s Institutes [04:30]
  • Example: Isaiah recognizes his own unworthiness in God’s presence (Isaiah 6).
• Moses’ Second Question: “Who are you?”
  • Moses realizes the gravity of being sent by a God he does not fully know and asks God’s name.

The Contemporary Crisis: Not Knowing the Character of God

[09:35–13:50]

• Churches & Culture:
  • Dr. Sproul laments that many Christians and churches have lost sight of God’s true character.
  • “I think the greatest weakness of the church in our day is the virtual eclipse of the character of God, even in our churches.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [11:25]
• A Personal Anecdote:
  • A churchgoer laments her minister’s reluctance to reveal God’s fullness, fearing it might drive people away.

God vs. Generic “Higher Power”

[13:50–19:45]

• Contrast with Popular Descriptions:
  • Sproul critiques the tendency to refer to God as a vague “higher power” or cosmic force.
  • Notable illustration: What if people were asked if they believe in “Yahweh, the God of the Bible,” not just a higher power?
• Problems with Impersonal Forces:
  • “Gravity does not make judgments about people’s behavior… Gravity has no voice. It says nothing, it sees nothing, and it knows nothing.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [17:47]
  • Such “gods” make no moral demands, offer no hope, and cannot redeem or forgive.

The Personal, Powerful, Holy God: “I AM WHO I AM”

[19:45–22:55]

• God’s Name as Revelation:
  • God gives Moses His personal, covenantal name, Yahweh — “I AM WHO I AM.”
  • “When God asked Moses for his name, he didn’t say, ‘it is what it is.’ He said, ‘I am who I am.’ Yahweh, that’s my name.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [20:37]
• Significance:
  • Unlike forces or vague powers, Yahweh is personal—He sees, hears, knows, acts, and relates.
  • Essential attributes: self-existence, immutability, holiness, and sovereignty.

The Importance of Names & Relationship

[22:55–24:05]

• Analogies:
  • Personal story about a student’s engagement highlights how a name represents the fullness of who a person is, not just their attributes.
  • “When you wanted to come back to the crystallized essence of who he is… It all came back to his name.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [23:55]
• God’s Name:
  • “That’s why when we look at God, we know that His Name is wonderful. Because in that name he reveals manifold things about the excellency of his being and the perfections of his character.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [24:02]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We never know who we are until we first know who God is.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [04:30]
• “The God who is revealed here is not blind, nor is he deaf, nor is he ignorant.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [01:54]
• “I think the greatest weakness of the church in our day is the virtual eclipse of the character of God, even in our churches.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [11:25]
• “Gravity has no voice. It says nothing, it sees nothing, and it knows nothing.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [17:47]
• “When God asked Moses for his name, he didn’t say, ‘it is what it is.’ He said, ‘I am who I am.’ Yahweh, that’s my name.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [20:37]
• “Because in that name he reveals manifold things about the excellency of his being and the perfections of his character.” — Dr. R.C. Sproul [24:02]

Important Timestamps

• Understanding Moses’ Fear and Mission – [00:04–03:30]
• Calvin on Knowledge of God and Self – [04:30–05:50]
• Contemporary Confusion Over God’s Character – [09:35–13:50]
• Contrast Between Yahweh and Modern “Higher Powers” – [13:50–19:45]
• God Reveals His Name to Moses – [19:45–22:55]
• Personal Analogy on the Importance of Names – [22:55–24:05]

Tone & Language

The episode’s tone is warm, pastoral, and direct—typical of Dr. Sproul. The language is clear, occasionally academic, but frequently anchored in storytelling and everyday analogies to make timeless theological truths accessible.

Summary

Dr. R.C. Sproul skillfully unpacks the encounter between Moses and God at the burning bush, highlighting how the revelation of God’s name, “I AM WHO I AM” (Yahweh), distinguishes the God of the Bible from a generic, impersonal “higher power.” Only the personal God who sees, hears, knows, and acts can offer real hope, relationship, and redemption. Understanding the God who truly is not only humbles us but also grounds our faith and worship. The episode urges listeners to move beyond vague spiritual notions and rediscover the awe-inspiring reality of God’s holy, personal presence.