At least a few of you are probably already weary of hearing about John Calvin’s 500th birthday (July 10). Actually, I’m just getting started. You’ll be hearing Calvin’s name from me for a few more weeks.
I’m well aware there are a few reasons people don’t want several consecutive weeks of Calvin name-dropping.
1. He’s dead.
2. He has been dead a very long time.
3. His writing is not very captivating from a modern perspective. (My sister, a history teacher, said she recommends Calvin’s Institutes for insomniacs.)
4. Preaching and teaching John Calvin is not preaching and teaching the Bible.
5. Some of what he said and did should be included in a list of “parts of our heritage I’m not proud of.”
Still, I can come up with twice as many reasons to use Calvin’s name and writings in sermons and to write about him in my e-mails and Pastor’s Pen columns.
1. How many times does a guy have a 500th birthday?
2. Calvin is a pivotal figure to our Swiss/German Reformed heritage.
3. In my view, Calvin has been unfairly dismissed when he has a lot of important things to say.
4. I promise not to read or quote any long excerpts from the Institutes of the Christian Religion.
5. Although Calvin’s writings are not the Bible, he was passionate about teaching and preaching the Bible.
6. There’s a significant lack of teaching doctrine in today’s church. In times past it’s been overdone – but the pendulum has gone too far the other way.
7. I will only quote or refer to Calvin to illustrate what the Bible teaches. (The text for our sermons the next few weeks will be Genesis, Abraham’s life, not John Calvin.)
8. I deserve a little pastoral privilege after 16 years – and Calvin interests me.
9. You will tell me if I’m going overboard.
10. This too will pass. (At the most, give me about six weeks and I’ll move on.)
Indulge me a few weeks of John Calvin. Please?