We covered both lessons on the Lord’s Supper last week, so tonight we will begin several lessons on Johh Calvin, the first Reformer to bear the honorific title, Theologian. He has also been called the Apostle of the Holy Spirit. Join us to learn why and how this man became more influential and more controversial than any other fellow Reformer.
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Aug 23, 2011 @ 10:27:27
In my opinion the most important obstervation that I came home with from last night’s class was; why did Calvin die thinking that he had been a failure in spite of the fact that he obviously loved God immensely?
Man – and history – look on outward things, but God sees the heart. “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7. So we must be cautious in our assessment about Calvin’s life.
And if Calvin felt he was a “failure” at the end of his life, then he like many other believers I know have missed one of the main points that Jesus tries to get across to us: that “success/failure” suggests a standard for comparison, especially between each other. This is not Biblical, since the Bible teaches that Perfection beyond any human standard is a gift. Hebrews 10:14. We get transformed, not by our works, but by God’s grace. This was the whole purpose of Jesus’ life.
But perhaps more importantly, the emphasis on Calvin’s (and others’) human scholarship must be contrasted to Jesus’ teaching: “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Mark 18:17. There is a danger in overemphasizing the scholarly (“striving for”/”doing”/”achieving” in order to “get there”) – all in the head – at the expense of heart and full surrender to Jesus so that He can do the work through us. This is the place of peace which Calvin apparantly may have missed out on. It looks like he did not die in full surrender to God and looking forward to going Home.
I hope this clarifies what I tried to say last night.
Afi
Aug 23, 2011 @ 17:40:06
I’ll try t locatee his last words so we can be sure I described it fairly.