Podcast Summary

Ultimately with R.C. Sproul

Episode: The Titles of Christ
Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Ligonier Ministries

Episode Overview

In this reflective episode, R.C. Sproul emphasizes the profound significance of the biblical titles given to Jesus. By recounting a memorable academic anecdote, he illustrates how focusing on Christ’s titles can deepen our understanding of who Jesus is—the “incomparable Christ.” This teaching serves to renew listeners’ perspective on what matters most in the Christian faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Christ’s Titles

• Introduction to the Richness of Jesus’s Names
  • Sproul opens by listing several well-known titles for Jesus:
    • “Jesus is the lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace.” (A, 00:00)
  • He encourages listeners to “pay attention to the titles that are given,” highlighting their richness and the depth they bring to understanding Christ.

Anecdote: The Seminary Convocation

• Setting the Scene

  • Sproul recounts a story about an academic convocation at a U.S. theological seminary, characterized as “a very formal academic type of a gathering” (A, 00:28).
  • The anticipation was that a famous theologian would deliver a highly analytical lecture on Christology.

• A Scholar’s Unexpected Approach

  • The renowned theologian surprises the audience by foregoing technical commentary.

  • Instead, for 45 minutes, he simply recites the biblical titles of Jesus one after another, with no explanation or elaboration.

    “All he did for 45 minutes was stand there and recite one after another all the titles that are found in the Bible for Jesus without comment, without analysis, without interpretation.”
    — A, 00:56

• Impact of the Experience

  • The exercise profoundly affected the academic community:

    “And when he was done, the entire theological community was wiped out just by a litany of the biblical titles for Jesus. Just overwhelming.”
    — A, 01:20

  • Sproul observes that hearing these titles “compressed into one chapter” is a spiritually potent experience.

Reflection: The Incomparable Christ

• What It Means to Talk of Jesus
  • Sproul concludes by stating:

    “And so when we talk of Jesus, we have to talk of Jesus as the incomparable Christ.”
    — A, 01:40

  • This reinforces the centrality and uniqueness of Christ as revealed through his many titles.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Jesus is the lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace.” (A, 00:00)
• “Pay attention to the titles that are given.” (A, 00:07)
• “All he did for 45 minutes was stand there and recite one after another all the titles that are found in the Bible for Jesus without comment, without analysis, without interpretation.” (A, 00:56)
• “The entire theological community was wiped out just by a litany of the biblical titles for Jesus. Just overwhelming.” (A, 01:20)
• “When we talk of Jesus, we have to talk of Jesus as the incomparable Christ.” (A, 01:40)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• 00:00-00:13 — Introduction and significance of Jesus’ titles
• 00:14-01:20 — Seminary anecdote and list of Christological titles
• 01:21-01:40 — Reflection on the experience and final application

Summary Tone and Takeaway

R.C. Sproul’s tone is reverent, contemplative, and encouraging. The episode gently but powerfully challenges listeners to consider the breadth and depth of biblical revelation concerning Jesus. By simply meditating on the names and titles given to Christ, believers can renew their perspective and more fully appreciate “what matters ultimately”—the incomparable nature of Jesus.

For further study and spiritual enrichment, Sproul points listeners to the wider resources of Ligonier Ministries.