Jul
10
2009
Happy Birthday John Calvin
On this day 500 years ago John Calvin was born.
There is perhaps no one in church history who has had a deeper impact on my thinking when it comes to my great sin and God’s great salvation than John Calvin. My friend Kevin wrote this today and I think he’s right on:
Whatever lasting impact John Calvin has had on the church of Jesus Christ, and on the whole world for that matter, is owing to his commitment to understanding and explaining the word of God. From sermons to lectures to letters to tracts to treatises to confessions to catechisms to books, his adult life was consumed with one thing: the word of God–the word as a summons to obedience, the word as a blueprint for reform, the word as the foundation for all truth.
Amen.
I know that Calvin has been a controversial figure throughout church history which is why I think this message from Frank James (former President of Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and a first rate historian) is so helpful. In this 1 hour and 45 minute seminar he deals with many popular misconceptions about John Calvin. He shows that, far from being a theological tyrant, Calvin was wholeheartedly committed to reaching the lost and planting churches. In fact, apart from the apostle Paul, Calvin was arguably the most successful church planter in history.
Dr. James’ message is easy to understand and well researched. Anybody who cares about church planting and evangelism will find this seminar stimulating and motivating.
Also, this article from Bob Godfrey (President of Westminster Seminary in California) entitled Calvin: Why He Still Matters is both informative and inspirational.
My hope and prayer is that you will grow in your appreciation for John Calvin and the way he spent his life pointing others to the majesty of God as he is revealed in his Word by his Spirit.
I am thanking God today for John Calvin.
5 Comments
Kevin’s Blog is worth the full read. Thank you all for the reminders.
I am grateful for the deep prying into the Word of God that Calvin passed on to us. I can relate to your mentioning misconceptions – from my (albeit limited) understanding of the history it seems that most of those come from his second generation followers. The patterns of human behavior and treatment of those revered is an interesting thing to take note of. It may be a fair warning for us not to make so much of the men we love today that our children end up seeing us esteem them and their books/preaching above King Jesus and His very word. Interesting how even the best, cross-centered things quickly become distorted as the human heart generates its idols. How I pray that God grows in me faithfulness to His supremacy.
Amen to the post and the replies! I pray that God will use you to shake the world beginning right here in South Florida! When times get tough, just remember the difficult world and trials that Luther, Calvin and all the Reformers faced. I consider you a modern day reformer because you understand that the Gospel is not just about preaching but truly impacting our world through “holistic” ministry. Luther and Calvin understood this! I know times are difficult and I pray for you daily! I want to share a quote that has helped me during the trying times of ministry:
“The man who gets his orders from heaven will never need to fear the face of mortal man. He teams up with omnipotence and he will be absolutely unassailable.” Dr. Charles Stanley
Thank you Steve!
Dear Pastor,
Jesus Loves you and so do I
I am not a member of your church, but have attended and listen every Sunday on the radio…..A friend shared with me a hateful letter sent around your church……………. I am so sorry and so shocked that such viciousness is around you……………. I am shocked and saddened, Dr. Kennedy would be very ashamed and sad right now that the few have set such a bad reflection on his church. My prayers are with you
but more so for these lost souls. My the Lord surround you with HIS Perfect Love