Renewing Your Mind – "Micah"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind by Ligonier Ministries
Air Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Featured Speaker: Dr. R.C. Sproul
Series: Great Men to Live By

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the book and prophetic ministry of Micah, highlighting its timeless call to justice, mercy, and humility before God. Dr. R.C. Sproul explores Micah's most famous teachings, places them in their biblical and theological context, and applies them to contemporary Christian living. The second segment discusses the recently released 2025 State of Theology Survey, reflecting on the current state of theological understanding in the church and society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Micah: Background and Key Themes

[01:16 – 04:40]

• Micah as a 'Minor' Prophet: Dr. Sproul clarifies that Micah is labeled "minor" due to the brevity of his book, not insignificance. Micah's writing parallels Isaiah and combines emphases from Amos (justice) and Hosea (divine mercy).
• Parallels and Distinctions: Micah recapitulates Amos’ prophetic denunciation of social injustice and Hosea’s focus on God’s mercy and forgiveness.
• Messianic Prophecies:
  • “Perhaps the thing for which Micah is most well known in the Christian community is his prophecy of the coming Messiah. He speaks of the shepherd King, the royal Messiah who is to come to restore the throne to the house of David.” (Dr. Sproul, 02:20)
  • Micah 4–5 prophesies a future era of peace, a restored Davidic kingdom, and names Bethlehem as the Messiah's birthplace (Micah 5:2).
  • Israel's suffering (exile) and promised restoration are recurring themes. The exile isn’t the final chapter: “But they don’t know the thoughts of the Lord… For he will gather them as the sheaves into the floor.” (Dr. Sproul, 04:05)

2. Micah's Prophetic Core: Justice, Mercy, and Humility

[10:44 – 23:44]

• Micah 6:1–8 and the Divine Tribunal:

  • God invites Israel to put Him “on trial,” challenging them to testify if He has ever been unfaithful to the covenant.
  • Refers to the Last Judgment and the universal “silence” before God’s righteousness:

    “No one will have anything to say against God because everyone will know plainly… it’d be supremely stupid to make accusations against God.” (Dr. Sproul, 12:55)

• What Does God Require? (Micah 6:8)

  • Not elaborate external sacrifices—“Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? … Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression?” (Micah 6:7).
  • The famous summary:

    “He has showed thee, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)

• Core Concepts Broken Down:

  • Justice:
    “What does God want from me? … Did you hear what Amos was talking about? … I want justice. I want you to do justice.” (Dr. Sproul, 14:32)
    Doing justice is the practical outworking of true faith; not mere doctrinal statements.

    • Righteousness is not a common conversational or spiritual concern among Christians today:

      “When’s the last time you heard a Christian in casual conversation say, ‘How can I be more righteous?’ It’s a dirty word in the church.” (Dr. Sproul, 16:59)

    • Righteousness is not only positional in Christ (“Christ is our justification”), but also actively pursued in life (“the seeking after righteousness begins” after justification).

  • Mercy (Steadfast Love, Loyal Love):
    Balancing justice with mercy—“passion for mercy.” God’s justice is always tempered by His grace.

    • “Our whole relationship with God is defined in terms of a commitment, a pledge that's established on the basis of trust.” (Dr. Sproul, 20:23)
    • “We're supposed to be loyal to each other.” Christian fellowship should be marked by loyal love—a trustworthiness that enables both criticism and growth.
    • On discipline and love:

      “There are certain sins that are so grievous and so destructive to the Christian community that we must have confrontation… But there’s a mentality that wants to jump on every tiny little indiscretion that’s diabolical. There should be a patience, steadfastness among ourselves, to be patient with each other as we grow in grace.” (Dr. Sproul, 22:03)

  • Humility:
    “To walk humbly with your God means to know clearly who God is and to know clearly who you are.” (Dr. Sproul, repeated at 00:00 and 23:33)

    • Humility keeps the other two in balance: “If you keep those two identities clear, you’re not going to have any trouble walking humbly before God.” (Dr. Sproul, 23:41)

3. Application: The Christian’s Duty

[24:34]

• Christian life as a duty of obedience, not merely emotional or spiritual aspiration.
• “We don’t tend to like the word duty, but God does call us to a life of obedience. May he grant us the grace to humbly strive for righteousness in all of life.” (Nathan Bingham, 24:34)

4. State of Theology Survey (2025) – A Conversation with Chris Larson

[26:17 – 32:15]

• Purpose and History of the Survey:
  • Launched to “take the theological temperature of the United States population” and especially among evangelicals.
  • “We didn’t see anybody actually polling and surveying on theology and what the Bible teaches about really big topics…” (Chris Larson, 26:43)
• Findings:
  • “The secular views are found strongly within the church, even within those churches that claim to be evangelical.” (Dr. Sproul reflecting, 28:55)
  • Ongoing trends reveal that “the evangelical church is not growing in its understanding of theology.” (Chris Larson, 30:19)
  • The survey helps identify areas where the church must reaffirm biblical doctrine “so that the next generation might know them.”
• Ligonier’s Response:
  • Works “under the local church,” serving and equipping churches in many denominations.
  • “Praying that the Lord would continue to raise up biblical preachers who are bold in their proclamation of the gospel…” (Chris Larson, 31:09)
  • Emphasis on the importance of local church attendance, education, and faithful ministry.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Humility:

  “To walk humbly with God means to know clearly who God is and to know clearly who you are. If you keep those two identities clear, you're not going to have any trouble walking humbly before God.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul ([00:00]/[23:33])

• On Justice:

  “I want justice. I don't want you to just have doctrines of justice and abstract principles... I want you to do justice.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (14:32)

• On Righteousness:

  “When’s the last time you heard a Christian in casual conversation say, ‘How can I be more righteous?’ It’s a dirty word in the church.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (16:59)

• On the Church’s Challenge:

  “The secular views are found strongly within the church, even within those churches that claim to be evangelical.”
  — Dr. R.C. Sproul (28:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–00:21: Opening definition of humility before God.
• 01:16–06:40: Micah’s place among the prophets, Messianic prophecies, and future hope.
• 10:44–23:44: The core of Micah’s message: justice, mercy, and humility; application to Christian living.
• 24:34–26:17: Transition to discussion of the State of Theology Survey.
• 26:17–28:46: Chris Larson & Nathan W. Bingham on the survey’s findings and impact.
• 28:55–30:19: Dr. Sproul’s reflections on the survey and the influence of secularism.
• 31:09–32:02: Ligonier’s efforts to support churches and foster biblical faithfulness.

Conclusion

This episode offers a compelling exploration of Micah's call for authentic faith, summarized in do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God—a message as vital now as ever. Dr. Sproul points Christians beyond mere formalities to the heart of godly living. The segment on the State of Theology offers timely reflection on the challenges facing the church in transmitting and preserving theological truth.

Closing Thought:
It is the duty and privilege of every believer, as Dr. Sproul insists, to “bear the kind of fruit in our lives that Micah is calling for—a life that is characterized by justice and balanced by mercy, steadfast love, loyalty. That's what God requires. It's not an option. It's the duty of every Christian.” ([23:44])