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I saw something of the grandeur of God in this expression of beauty. Because wherever beauty is, the excellence of God is born. Witness. In the summer of 1994, public television ran several rebroadcasts of an event that took place in the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the three greatest living tenors were assembled in concert. Carrara, Domingo and Pavarotti. The incomparable Pavarotti. And when I watched that performance on television, I was literally mesmerized. I don't think I've ever seen a performance of anybody about anything that I so desperately did not want to end as that performance. And when these men were finished with their singing of opera, and I'm virtually ignorant of opera, I've never been to an opera in my entire life. I've never read the text of an opera. I've never read a book about opera. I say that to my own shame and to my own disgrace. But not being an opera buff, I still could not move away from the television screen watching this performance. And I said afterwards to my wife, I said, these men may not only be the best tenors in the world, but they may be the best singers in the world. And not only the best singers in the world, they may be the best musicians in the world. And of course, even in that group, Pavarotti stood as the first among equals. But watching that performance was a spiritual experience for me. I saw something of the grandeur of God in this expression of beauty. Because wherever there is beauty, wherever beauty is, the excellence of God is born. Witness. I don't mean that every artist or every musician is a Christian or intentionally tries to give glory to God, but they give glory to God in spite of themselves because they're part of the creation that manifests the eternal power and deity of God. You've been listening to Ultimately with RC Sproul, a podcast from Ligonier Ministries. If you enjoyed the show, please subscribe or leave a review in your favorite podcast app. For more information, visit ultimatelypodcast.com sa.
Episode: The Beauty of God Displayed
Date: December 12, 2025
Host/Speaker: R.C. Sproul
Produced by: Ligonier Ministries
This episode centers on the profound and often unexpected ways in which the beauty of the world—and particularly artistic beauty—reveals the grandeur and excellence of God. Through a personal anecdote about witnessing the legendary "Three Tenors" concert, R.C. Sproul explores how even those unfamiliar with the subject matter can be swept away by the splendor of artistic performance, and how this speaks to the divine nature of beauty itself. The episode encourages listeners to recognize God’s glory reflected across all forms of true beauty, regardless of the artist’s intentions.
Personal Story of Awe:
Reflection on Excellence:
On beauty as a spiritual experience:
“Watching that performance was a spiritual experience for me. I saw something of the grandeur of God in this expression of beauty. Because wherever there is beauty, the excellence of God is born.” — R.C. Sproul [01:42]
On the universality of God’s glory in art:
“I don’t mean that every artist or every musician is a Christian or intentionally tries to give glory to God, but they give glory to God in spite of themselves because they’re part of the creation that manifests the eternal power and deity of God.” — R.C. Sproul [02:12]
On the power of beauty to capture the soul:
“I was literally mesmerized. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a performance of anybody about anything that I so desperately did not want to end as that performance.” — R.C. Sproul [00:17]
R.C. Sproul’s tone is contemplative, humble, and deeply moved by his encounter with artistic beauty. He maintains a sense of wonder and gratitude, drawing his listeners towards a deeper recognition of God’s presence in the beauty around them, be it intentional or incidental.
This episode invites listeners to broaden their perspective on where and how God’s glory is revealed. From the concert hall to everyday encounters with beauty, Sproul urges us to recognize these experiences as opportunities to witness God’s excellence, reminding believers that “wherever beauty is, the excellence of God is born.”