Conference Wrap-Up

This is my last post on the Calvin for the 21st Century Conference. During the last session, Dr. Joel Beeke addressed John Calvin's legacy - why is he important today? How would you begin to chronicle the array of influence Calvin possessed? Conduct a survey! And that's exactly what Dr. Beeke did! He sent letters to about fifty of his academic/pastor friends asking to them to list three reasons Calvin is important today. I think he said he received twenty-four responses. He grouped their answers and listed the top twelve in ascending order (Dr. Beeke's descriptions were much more detailed):

12. Calvin the educator: He modeled for us the importance of education for all youth, a standard bearer for all fields of study. But he was especially committed to the seminaries that would train missionaries to be sent all over the world.

11. Calvin the socio-theologian: He had great influence on the whole fabric of everyday life - work ethic, economics, social justice, law, scientific research, etc. Everything was brought into the framework of the Scriptures.

10. Calvin the evangelist: He was an example of how to teach and practice evangelism and missions. Christians are called to evangelize out of gratitude to God and duty to fellow sinners.

9. Calvin the pastor: He was a model of a faithful under-shepherd through his stewardship of trust and selfless service. His own suffering caused him to be compassionate and tender, and pastoral in his preaching.

8. Calvin the pietist: Calvin defined piety as having a right attitude toward God, and he desired to live all of life under biblical piety: knowledge, worship, saving faith, fear, submission, reverential love...all to the glory of God. The Holy Spirit works piety in us through faith, nurtured through the preaching of the Word and the communion of saints. Obedience is the essence of piety - coram deo - living before the face of God.

7. Calvin the commentator: He set the example of commentaries, expounding the biblical text in a teachable way.

6. Calvin the churchman: He modeled what the church is all about as contrasted with Rome, founded on Christ as the Chief Cornerstone. He cherished the Bride of Christ, the church.

5. Calvin the Trinitarian: He modeled how to be Trinity-centered in our thoughts about God - stressed the Fatherly sovereignty of God, infinitely in control of all things; Jesus as the Prophet, Priest, and King; the Holy Spirit as Minister to us through the Word of God.

4. Calvin the Preacher: For Calvin, to live was to preach. His usual schedule was to preach ten sermons in fourteen days. Calvin believed every sermon is preached by two ministers - the Internal Minister applies the Word to the hearts of the hearers, while the external minister must be faithful to preach the Word.

3. Calvin the Christian: Despite his immense suffering, he modeled how to live the Christian life by finding his joy in Christ.

2. Calvin the theologian: He modeled systematic theology for the church, rather than for the academy. He believed theology should have great practical value.

1. Calvin the exegete: He modeled how to properly handle scripture. He was willing to place to place himself under its authority.