Renown theologian R.C. Sproul, 78

Christian theologian R.C. Sproul, an influential teacher who took seminary teachings to homes, walking trails, cars and churches, died Dec. 14 at the age of 78.

During decades of ministry, Sproul led a resurgence of what is called the Reformed Christian faith, which emphasizes that God has sovereign control over everything. While he was not as famous as some of the leaders of the religious right such as James Dobson or Pat Robertson, he deeply shaped many evangelicals' beliefs about the Bible.

Conferences featuring Sproul and other less-wellknown teachers attracted thousands of people and prompted a movement within evangelical Christian faith, chronicled by author Collin Hansen in his book "Young, Restless and Reformed." As an admirer of French theologian John Calvin, or a Calvinist, Sproul believed that we are more sinful than we usually think we are. As Sproul and others made Calvinism more popular and understandable, some churches, including the large Southern Baptist Convention, have been divided over his strain of theology.

Sproul's influence emerged in the 1970s. In the 1950s and 1960s people had been coming to Christianity through all kinds of ministries mostly launched after World War II. Evangelist Billy Graham's "crusades" were the most influential, but other young people were embracing Christ through Young Life ministries for high schoolers. Youth for Christ clubs were growing in other schools.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes offered their huddle groups for high school athletes. Campus Crusade for Christ, now known as Cru, was evangelizing on college campuses.

The young R.C. Sproul thought the Christian movement was too shallow theologically. People were not thinking deeply enough about the Bible, he felt.