[Note: This is the concluding essay in a three-part short introduction to the life of Calvin. See previous posts: part 1/3 and part 2/3].
Calvin's Lasting Legacy
Calvin left a huge legacy for us to follow as Christians in general and as pastors in particular. I will briefly summarize this legacy with the following points.
Calvin's Lasting Legacy
Calvin left a huge legacy for us to follow as Christians in general and as pastors in particular. I will briefly summarize this legacy with the following points.
1. First of all, his literary legacy is unmatched. From his
Everest-like work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, to his nearly
unending series of Biblical commentaries, to his heart-felt letters, and his
printed sermons, Calvin left enough Biblical teaching for a lifetime of
learning. Considering the age in which he lived, the technology through which
he wrote (pen and quill!) and the turmoil in which he fought, Calvin’s
attention to every detail of every Greek verb is simply amazing. While reading
his works are daunting and sometimes technical, one is always amazed at the way
in which Calvin so clearly spoke as a tender pastor, relentlessly concerned for
his people.
2. As a pastor, Calvin stands as one of the greatest of all
times. I will give just a bit of evidence of this. Even though he fought
valiantly on the cutting edge of theological controversy of his day, Calvin
took the time to visit all of the sick and even wrote letters to the martyrs
who were suffering under French rule. More than that, Calvin counseled
compassionately those who were hurting and in despair, even visiting daily
those who were sick or dying under his care.
3. Thirdly, Calvin’s vision for church planting was way
ahead of his time. While most within the Reformation movement were concerned
more with theological faithfulness, Calvin was burdened to begin as many
churches as possible. Newer research is showing that more than ever before
thought, Calvin’s church and academy in Geneva was responsible for literally
planting hundreds of churches in France, Europe—and even one attempt as far
away as Brazil! The Genevan Academy under Calvin’s tutelage continually
reproduced impassioned Christ-loving pastors ready to go forth from Geneva and die for the
faith.
4. Fourth, Calvin’s theology sunk into the daily lives of
his hearers in an unusual way. Because of his fixation upon the glory of God,
Calvin taught his followers that God must be glorified by every act of our
daily lives! One example will suffice. Today, if you have a watch from Geneva (still the source
of all of the very best watches, clocks, and timepieces) it is no doubt because
Calvin taught his Genevan brothers 500 years ago to aspire towards excellence
in all things for the glory of God.
5. Fifth, Calvin, by his very precision as a theologian, has
inspired generation after generation of believers to forsake the error of
“easy-believe-ism” as strive instead toward a full and rich theology of heart
and mind. Some of the best scholar-theologians in history were inspired by the
French Master himself; from the English Puritans to the Dutch Reformed; from
the Westminster Divines to Jonathan Edwards; from John Owen of Britain to
Benjamin Warfield of New Jersey; from the French Huguenots to the American
Presbyterians; from pastors living today such as John Piper of Minneapolis to
Mark Driscoll in Seattle—Calvin towers above them all and summons them upwards.
In the end, Calvin would probably be a little bit disturbed
if not angry to hear of his followers being called “Calvinists.” I am guessing
that he would have disdained that terminology. He had no desires or aspirations
in this life for fame or glory and would be satisfied only that his followers
were Bible-preaching, God-exalting Christians. Dying in May of 1564, Calvin’s
final wishes were honored: he was buried in an unmarked grave in a simple pine
box. His lasting testimony was that John the Baptist’s words be made manifest
in his own life: “He must become greater; I must become less! (John 3:30).
Recommended Reading
for Beginning Students of John Calvin
• John Piper, John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of
God. (Wheaton IL: Crossway Books, 2009). A simple and very
short 59-page overview of Calvin’s life and ministry by one of the most popular
pastors of today.
• THL Parker, Portrait of Calvin. (Minneapolis MN: Desiring
God, 1954). An excellent, short biography of Calvin’s life and times.
• John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion, Edited
by Tony Lane
and Hilary Osborne. (Grand Rapids
MI: Baker Book House, 2004). This
version is a significantly shortened version of the Institutes (thus the
slightly altered title). In this condensed presentation, Lane and Osborne
present Calvin’s teaching optimistically, that is, they leave out most of his
more controversial teaches, especially his attacks on his opponents. For this
reason, the book is a good enough sum of what he taught, while leaving out what
he taught against.
Matthew Everhard is the Senior Pastor of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brooksville, Florida. Follow me on Twitter @matt_everhard.
Matthew Everhard is the Senior Pastor of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brooksville, Florida. Follow me on Twitter @matt_everhard.
Did not realize that Calvin was involved in planting churches. Thank you for your blog.
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