This morning, I woke up to the news of the death of Dr. Voddie Baucham Jr. I gasped in shock as I read the words that he was gone. Even now as I type these words, my vision is blurred by tears. It may seem a bit dramatic to write that, but it’s the truth. My heart grieves. I feel devastated. Sad. My head hurts. “Uncle Voddie,” as I loved to refer to him, is no longer on this side of eternity. I didn’t know him personally, so it may seem strange to some that I feel this way. But I know I am not alone.

In a text message to me this morning, one of my dear friends wrote, “I know he’s gone to be with the Lord but my heart aches, sis.” Another friend wrote, “This is hard to process.” And so, it goes. These feelings are being echoed by so many. He was deeply instrumental in the journeys of faith of many people I know, and in my own. Especially in those early years when I was figuring out what reformed theology was, what the gospel truly meant, and discovering apologetics. Those were the days when my eyes were being opened to the lies of the prosperity gospel and I was gaining a better understanding of the real gospel. I am grateful for men like him whom the Lord, in his mercy, raised to teach truth with integrity, clarity, conviction, and love.

As I processed the news of Uncle Voddie’s death, I revisited what I remember to be my introduction to him from many years ago: his talk/sermon on ‘Why the Bible is True’ (also called Decoding DaVinci). I replayed it while working out this morning. At the start of the talk, it was surreal to hear him say that he had just preached at his father’s funeral. As he continued, I laughed at his sense of humour and nodded along as I was reminded of the truth of Scripture. It did my soul a lot of good to listen again. I won’t give too much away, but I’ll share the YouTube playlist I created to gather the clips in one place. I recommend it. You will laugh, you might cry too, but you will be encouraged.

I cannot begin to imagine the grief of his dear wife Bridget and their children. I met him and his wife in 2016 at a conference in London where he was speaking. In person, they were humble, kind, and approachable. I can still picture them sitting together behind a table, quietly observing during the lunch break after one of his sessions. My heart goes out to Bridget and the rest of the family. May the Lord be their comfort. My heart aches for them. Lord, help them.

Uncle Voddie is now at rest; what a wonderful thought. His faith has turned to sight. For the rest of us left behind (for now), we are tasked with continuing on in faith and hope. Thankfully, it will not be by our own strength: “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.” (Psalm 28:7)

The days ahead will be hard as we process this loss. There seem to have been quite a number of deaths of our public figures lately, and beyond them, deaths of other dear fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, friends, who may not have been widely known but are equally mourned. May the Lord draw near.

🙏

“Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” – John 16:22

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

– 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18