Calvin The Friendly Reformer

January 20, 2009 Posted by David NcloseAuthor: David N Name:
Email: dvnilsen@gmail.com
Site: http://reasonfromscripture.blogspot.com
About: In 2003 I graduated from high school with no set direction for my life. I spent a year in Iowa before returning to California to attend Junior College. I changed majors 3 times; from Physics to Business to Film (as you can see, no direction). I was a Christian, attending church regularly, but furthering the cause of Christ in this fallen world was not a high priority. In 2005 I picked up an issue of TableTalk magazine, and I was re-introduced to the work of R. C. Sproul (whom I had read once in high school). Later that year, while taking a biology class with an ardent atheist professor, I picked up a copy of Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator." In the Fall of 2006 I came to Biola University and was introduced to the works of J. P. Moreland and John Mark Reynolds. My fate was sealed. Just a few years ago, I was passionless. Now I have two passions: Studying the Word of God and engaging in the task of Apologetics. 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts all Christians to be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. My goal is to be able to give my answer articulately and powerfully, but even more importantly, in love. There are many purposes for apologetics, but by far the most important is the opening of minds and the softening of hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit. If we don't care about and pray for those with whom we engage in apologetics, we fail to fulfill this purpose. As a wise man once said, "Take a stand for the Truth, but do it in love fool!" Education Info: --Currently: M.A. in Historical Theology student, Westminster Seminary California --2008: B.A. in Philosophy, Biola University --2006: A.A. in Liberal Arts, Palomar CollegeSee Authors Posts (75)

Casper the Friendly Ghost.  The title seems a bit like an oxymoron.  Ghosts, after all, are not friendly.  The same is often said of John Calvin.  He was the “tyrant of Geneva.”  He was the father of the “frozen chosen.”  However, according to Dr. Robert Godfrey, President of Westminster Seminary California, Calvin was a lot more like Casper than we think. 

In his address at the “Calvin's Legacy” Conference this past weekend, Dr. Godfrey shows us how Calvin was actually quite warm and friendly toward his friends and those whom he ministered to in Geneva.  Theodore Beza, Calvin's student and successor, said of the Reformer, “In the common course of life, there was no man more pleasant.  In him
all men may see a beautiful example of Christian character.”  This side of Calvin comes out most strikingly in his letters, especially as he tried to ease tensions and solve disputes between the Lutheran and Reformed churches of Europe.  When launching polemics against Rome, Calvin could be quite harsh.  But when dealing with the struggling churches of the Reformation, even when Calvin disagreed with them, he was a shining example of moderation and flexibility, and showed a great passion for the unity of the body of Christ.

Read the live blog notes from Dr. Godfrey's lecture here. 

Related posts:

1. Calvin And Hobbes
2. "Calvin's Legacy" Conference at WSC (Jan 16-17): Live Blog
3. Mark Driscoll And The Paradoxes Of Calvinism
4. The Left Behind Game Debate
5. This Is My Body - Part Two
6. Never Enough Tea Goes Live!

Posted in David's Posts, Main Page, Miscellaneous, Theology