Sinclair Ferguson

Sinclair B. Ferguson
Born (1948-02-21) February 21, 1948 (age 78)
Occupations
  • Systematic theology scholar
  • Presbyterian minister
SpouseDorothy Ferguson
Academic background
EducationUniversity of Aberdeen (PhD)
ThesisThe Doctrine of the Christian Life in the Teaching of Dr. John Owen (1661–1683) (1979)
Academic work
DisciplineSystematic theology
Institutions
Notable works
  • The Holy Spirit (1997)
  • The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters (2016)

Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson (born 21 February 1948) is a Scottish Reformed systematic theology scholar. Known for his teaching, writing, and editorial work, he has been Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary since 2017, commuting from Scotland, where he was an assistant minister at St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland, Dundee. He is currently a preaching associate at Trinity Church, Aberdeen.

Early Life

Ferguson was born on 21 February 1948 in Glasgow, the son of Robert Buchanan Ferguson and Emma Harriet Standish Sinclair Swanston Munro. He was educated at Alexandra Parade Primary and Whitehill Secondary (1953-1965) in the Dennistoun area of Glasgow. He grew up next to the local Church of Scotland, but his parents never attended it.

Career

Ferguson studied at the University of Aberdeen for all of his university education, earning first a Master of Arts, then a bachelor of divinity (1965 - 1971), before gaining his Ph.D. During his days as a student, he worshiped at Gilcomston South Church, under the ministry of William Still.

Ferguson was ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland by the Presbytery of Glasgow on 29 September 1971, after being licensed by them on 13 May that year. He became the assistant at St George's-Tron Church, in the centre of Glasgow under the ministry of George B. Duncan, who had served in the Church since March 1965.

On 4 April 1974, he became the minister of St. John's, Baltasound, the most northerly parish in Scotland, on the island of Unst, Shetland. He demitted that charge on 4 April 1976 to become the editor of the Banner of Truth Trust. He was later offered a teaching position as a part-time Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.

He then moved back to his native Scotland in 1997, filling the pulpit at St George's-Tron Church, Glasgow, where he served as Assistant Minister, succeeding the 20-year ministry of Eric Alexander. He was formally inducted on 1 July 1998.

In the mid-2000s, he then transferred back to the US to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, serving as the senior pastor of historic First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina.

From 25 August 2013, he served as a preacher and elder at St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland in Dundee. In recent years, Sinclair has become the preaching associate at Trinity Church in Aberdeen.

In 2022, a Festschrift was published in his honor. Theology for Ministry: How Doctrine Affects Pastoral Life and Practice includes contributions from Joel Beeke, Ligon Duncan, W. Robert Godfrey, Michael Horton, Douglas Kelly, Robert Letham, Philip Ryken, and Chad Van Dixhoorn.

Other roles

Ferguson has served as an editor with the Banner of Truth Trust.

He was also a professor of systematic theology at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas.

He has held the Charles Krahe Chair for Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary.

He also previously served as a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.

He serves as a Teaching Fellow for Ligonier Ministries.

Personal life

Ferguson was born and raised in the East End of Glasgow, although his family originated from the north of Scotland. It wasn't until going to Aberdeen University that he left Glasgow. He was converted to Christianity before he turned 15.

He is married, since 16 July 1971, to Dorothy May Allan (born 29 April 1947). Together they have three sons and a daughter, and 12 grandchildren. His youngest son, John, is minister of Inverness Associated Presbyterian Church.

Works

Ferguson speaks at numerous conferences worldwide. Books he has written, edited, or contributed to include:

References

  1. ↑ Ferguson, Sinclair B. (23 January 1997). The Holy Spirit. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic. ISBN 978-0-8308-1536-4. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025.
  2. ↑ Ferguson, Sinclair B. (31 January 2016). The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance―Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters. Wheaton, IL: Crossway. ISBN 978-1-4335-4800-0. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson Appointed as Chancellor's Professor of Systematic Theology". Reformed Theological Seminary. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "Trinity Church Aberdeen - Who". Trinity Aberdeen. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Macdonald, Donald Farquhar Macleod (1981). Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae (PDF). Vol. X. Saint Andrew Press. p. 407. ISBN 0715204955.
  6. ↑ Old, Hughes Oliphant (2010). The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church, Vol. 7: Our Own Time. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. pp. 135–136.
  7. ↑ "Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson". Reformed Theological Seminary. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  8. ↑ "Sinclair Ferguson to Join St Peter's Free Church in Dundee". The Aquila Report. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  9. 1 2 theosebes (24 November 2019). "[Transcript] Dr Sinclair Ferguson: The Scottish Reformed theologian reflects on 50 years of ministry". Yirah Group. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Ferguson, Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra • Sinclair (3 October 2022). "Why Sinclair Ferguson Moved Back to Scotland's Most Secular City". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  11. ↑ "Here Am I: With John Ferguson". Creed:or:Chaos. 21 January 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Inverness APC | Associated Presbyterian Church - Associated Presbyterian Churches". 18 April 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2025.