Calvin in word and deed: A communicological appreciation (original) (raw)
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John Calvin’s theological contribution as an extension of his pastoral ministry
2017
It is common place in academia for the 16 th century Reformer, John Calvin, to be portrayed as a theologian than as a pastor. Thus, his works are often interpreted from a theological perspective, neglecting the pastoral approach that had an obvious influence on his writings. As we study the life and works of John Calvin from the time he was appointed pastor of Geneva until his death, we are confronted by the pastoral framework from which he wrote some of them. This framework is also apparent in his works if one becomes conscious of it. This comes as no surprise as Calvin spent most of his life serving in the pastoral office. As indeed one of the foremost of the Reformed theologians, Calvin wrote extensively: his works range from the pastoral letters which he frequently wrote to his friends and acquaintances to his more theological studies. This investigation of some of the latter finds that they are underpinned by pastoral concern. Hence it is argued that in their academic engagement with such works, serious scholars of Calvin will need to consider the pastoral framework in each work, whether obvious or not. Calvin did not primarily write most of his works to make a theological stand in the academic world of his day but rather to instruct the ordinary Christian in the faith the Reformers had discovered in Scripture. No work of Calvin makes that plainer than the preface to the Institutes. Hence this study of Calvin focuses on this pastoral framework.
John Calvin's Homiletical Theory.docx
This paper explores Calvin’s homiletical theory. After outlining the importance of preaching to Calvin's tenures in Geneva, his theology of preaching is described. This reveals a link between Calvin’s doctrine of faith and his doctrine of the word. It also reveals that Calvin expected the reign of Christ to be extended in the earth through the “pure” preaching of the gospel, and that there is an ontological link in Calvin’s thinking between the sermon and the Word. The disclosure of this conceptual link opens into the constructive portion of the paper, which explores the question of how the word of the preacher can be in actuality the Word of God. Ultimately, it will be demonstrated that an ontology of preaching can be offered via Calvin’s theology which does not revert to a “being-in-becoming” of the Word. Along the way, other features of Calvin’s theology will be explored, including a pneumatic ecclesiology and his so-called “two-voice” theory.
2008
Barth delivered the lectures that form the basis of this commentary in Basel during the winter of 1940-41, five years after he had been banned from his teaching post in Bonn for his criticism of the Nazi regime. The historical context gives added interest to his reflection on Rom 9-11. While Barth does little to mitigate what he takes to be an account of Israel's disobedience in those chapters, he forcefully refutes the idea that the Jews have been finally rejected by God, calling anti-Semitism the "most potent form of disobedience." God wills the "disobedient Synagogue," according to Barth, in order to extend mercy to the world. However, if the Jews' "rejection" is the Gentiles' gain, the latter's ultimate hope depends on the inclusion of Israel-and the last word has not been spoken on those whom God has "hardened." More broadly, this commentary is presented as an explication of Paul's claim in Rom 1 : 17 that the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God. Although it is the "power of God for salvation," the Gospel initially confronts humanity with God's wrath, the object of which is the sinner's mistaken selfconfidence. Salvation, the "good centre in the hard shell," lies in the acceptance of the guilty verdict borne by Jesus Christ. The believer is not made righteous in appearance only, but "seriously," and his task is to live according to the "new order" of which he is a part-or, as Barth puts it, the "imperative" is explained by the "indicative." The current volume is a reprint of the original English translation from 1959.
Preaching of the gospel as central ecclesiology task of John Calvin
To Calvin, the compass about the centrality of the preaching of the gospel as the principal responsibility of the church seems to be clear from very early. Contrary to the Roman Catholic church that does not seem to know where resides the authority, being that the discussion for them seems not that clear whether the power of the church resides upon the Pope, the church or the people . In summary, Calvin understood that all his theological efforts related to his vast production developed around the ICR , were directly linked to the urgency of the preaching the gospel at the beginning, perhaps, unconsciously; but later, absolutely conscious of the transcendence of that duty in his own ministry and as the vital liability of the Catholic Christian Church.
The Background Of Calvin’s Thoughts
Journal Didaskalia, 2021
Every age, God will raise up certain people who will become church leaders in their day, to be witnesses of God through the truth of God's word. Their presence did not only appear suddenly, but also through a long process of life and education. In this article, we will explore about The Background of Calvin’s Thoughts, whose influence has revealed the world of theology to this day. Calvin was not only influenced by France Humanism but also medieval Theology at that time. Voluntarism was a popular theology in Calvin era. Calvin received only education in theology from medieval tradition on the first stage of his studies because he never studied theology at university. Calvin’s method which was used to build his theology is inseparable from his studying in Civil Law in Orleans. His studying in Orleans has changed Calvin to be a good jurist and he used his skill later in Geneva to compile codifications of legislation and regulation for Church and government in Geneva. In addition t...
Calvin: Interpreter of the Prophets
Unio Cum Christo
Unio cum Christo celebrates and encourages the visible union believers possess in Christ when they confess the faith of the one holy catholic and apostolic church, the body of Christ. Thus, its mission is (1) to be an international scholarly and practical journal for the global Reformed community-churches, seminaries, theologians, and pastors; (2) to encourage deeper fellowship, understanding, and growth in faith, hope, and love in the Reformed community at large; and (3) to support small and isolated Reformed witnesses in minority missional situations. It will seek to do so by the publication and dissemination of scholarly contributions of a biblical, theological, and practical nature by Reformed leaders worldwide including leading theologians, developing scholars, practicing missionaries, pastors, and evangelists. Articles, interviews, and book reviews will consistently be in line with biblically based Reformed confessional orthodoxy and orthopraxis. Submitted or solicited contributions for its biannual issues will focus on specific themes of importance to the Reformed tradition and present debate.
John Calvin: Theologian Forged by Fire
Servants of Grace, 2018
When one thinks of John Calvin, many things come to mind. Many people immediately think in a positive manner of his expository preaching prowess or his laborious reform in Geneva. On the other hand, some immediately have a negative thought of the Servetus affair. Whether a positive or negative thought is given, it is always important to consider the “giants of the faith” fairly, with the remembrance that they were, clay- footed sinners who, though mightily used by God, were still imperfect sinners. John Calvin was no exception to this rule. While history remembers him as a theological, cultural, and political giant, he was a frail and sickly man beset by many trials and ailments. My aim in this paper will be to examine a few key events and time periods of Calvin’s life that will help to shed light on the life and work of one of the most eminent theologians of the reformation. (This paper was originally delivered as a lecture for a Reformation 500 celebration at Reformed Baptist Church of Scranton in October of 2017. This lecture was then published by Servants of Grace on July 8, 2018).