Calvin and Calvinism

When we think of the Reformation, almost immediately the name of John Calvin comes to our mind. It is no injustice to Luther and Zwingli when we see Calvin as the one used most extensively by God in the revival of the sound, biblical truths in the time of the Reformation. Luther’s main work was preaching, whereas Calvin’s main work was to develop a formal system of theology. We also feel more affinity with the whole of Calvin’s doctrine compared to Luther’s, who here and there was unsound in his teaching, for example, in his views regarding the Lord’s Supper and the relation of church and state.

Calvin’s main work was his book, Institutes of the Christian Religion. He finished the first edition while fleeing from the hands of his persecutors. Comparing the Institutes with Luther’s Catechism, we can detect the influence of this catechism in Calvin’s book. Through the later editions, the final one in 1559, this similarity is somewhat obscured because of the extensive revisions.

Besides Institutes of the Christian Religion Calvin wrote many other books and pamphlets. His commentaries are profound and rank among the best. His voluminous correspondence, filled with practical advice, fills about 57 volumes; all these accomplishments by a man whose body was continually racked by severe headaches and intestinal cramps. In Calvin is literally fulfilled what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:15, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Yet with all his graces and gifts, Calvin remained so humble. That spirit of humility is easily sensed in his last words to his colleagues as they stood around his deathbed. He said, “I have had many shortcomings which you had to endure, and all that I have done is actually worth nothing. The wicked will no doubt capture this word to twist it, yet I will still repeat it: Everything that I have done is worth nothing, and I am but a miserable creature. Only this may I say of myself, that at all times I wanted the good, that my shortcomings always displeased me, and that the root of godliness was in my heart. Forgive me by reason of this good intention, I beg you, all that was wrong and imperfect, especially my quick temper, vehemence, and tendency to anger, and where you observed the opposite in me, receive it and imitate it.”

The register of the Geneva Council read, “Today at eight o’clock P.M. did Jean Calvin go to God: Him be all praise out of the depth of the heart.” The day after his death Calvin was buried in an unmarked grave, in compliance with his own wish.

Dr. Praamsma, one of the biographers of Calvin, summarized the importance of Calvin in seven points. Each of these is worthy of our meditation in these days of commemoration.

1. The Sola Scriptura: Calvin’s main work has been the explanation of the Bible. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) formed his starting point and the background for all his writings. It gave Calvin the certainty and convincing power of his writing. The Scriptural character of his writings is easily apparent in the Institutes. He didn’t just mention a text to support what he wrote, but usually included a brief explanation. He drew the connecting lines between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Reading his Institutes will give you much insight in the Word of God.

2. The great balance: Often Calvin is said to have had one main theme, namely, sovereignty of God. This is, however, an injustice to Calvin’s theology. Calvin did set over against the sovereignty of God His Fatherly kindness; over against predestination he places the responsibility of man; over against justification, he emphasizes sanctification. Obviously, if you are deeply saturated with the Scripture as Calvin was, you will be balanced.

Doumergue, another biographer of Calvin, compares his theology to a great arch. In an arch both halves exert equal pressure. The greater the pressure of each half of the arch, the more stable will be the head stone at the top of the arch. When one half of the arch exerts more pressure than the other, the arch will collapse. This is Calvin’s theology. It is a balanced theology. Let us follow his example.

3. The ecumenical principle: Within his own church, Calvin demanded unconditional obedience and faithfulness in the office-bearers to the confession of the church. Yet, though uncompromising in his rebuttal of errors, Calvin displayed an amazing level of tolerance to those who had not yet received the full light. Calvin had a great faith in the conquering power of the Word of God. Even those who did not belong to the same church received a warm place in his heart. He wrote, “I say, that there is a church, where the doctrine is preached, which carries her as the foundation. And even if the preaching is somewhat stained, it is sufficient to me, that the fundamental doctrine is healthy and completely present so that the name of the church will be maintained.” Calvin’s ideal was one world-wide church. However, already in his own time, he realized that such an ideal in this fallen world is impossible.

4. Strong confessionalism: Calvin began almost immediately with a confession. The Institutes form a large confession. He strove to maintain this confession pure in doctrine and life. Hence Calvin’s disciplinary actions didn’t spare anyone. One of the reasons that he and Farel were expelled from Geneva was that they refused to administer the Lord’s Supper because of the unrest against the order of the council of the city!

5. The relation between state and church: Calvin saw the state and the church as independent powers, each with its own territory, each having its own means, and each motivated by its own goals. Yet, though separate, they cannot do without each other in the execution of their office. The church needs the state in order to carry out its mandate in peace, while the state needs the church to shed the light of God’s Word on its mandate. In other words, Calvin would not support a radical separation between church and state. He didn’t view the spiritual authority (church) as the master and the secular authority (state) as the submissive servant. He saw them as equal before God, obligated to assist each other to the honor of God.

6. The practical aspect of the Word: Calvin always asked, “What is the will of God concerning …?” Hence in his works you may find many instructions on economics, science, theater, politics, etc. Calvin sought to “christianize” every facet of daily life.

7. The consistent application of biblical principles: Geneva was not the only city with laws curbing excess luxury and prohibiting cursing and card playing (!!), but Geneva was the only city that consistently carried out the punishments. This “steel hand of consistency” adorns Calvinism, since it is fully scriptural. If there is one area today where we in general lack, then it is this area in which Calvin shone.

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