Rediscovering Calvin’s Vision for Christian Living
For many, John Calvin is a name synonymous with theological rigor and exegetical precision. However, his spirituality and piety are often overlooked, even by those who consult his works on theological or exegetical questions. This oversight is partly due to a narrow understanding of what we mean by “spirituality.” In the past, daily life was ordered by the rhythms of the church, and God’s presence was felt across all aspects of life. Faith was not a private hobby, but a shared public frame of reference.
A Unified Vision of Life as Piety
Calvin’s vision of piety was broader and deeper than what we usually mean by piety or spirituality today. For him, doctrine and life were intertwined, and he knew no division between mind and heart or creeds and deeds. His view of piety encompassed both the vertical relationship with God and the horizontal relationship with neighbors. As he put it, “faith toward God and charity toward our neighbors.”
A Pastor’s Heart
Calvin was not only a first-rate exegete but also a pastor who cared deeply for his flock. His letters and commentaries reveal a pastor’s heart, and his Institutes were written to prepare men for the ministry. He became a pastor not by design but by God’s calling, as he believed that God had called him to Geneva through the voice of the church.
A Missionary Mindset
Despite being known for his doctrine of election, Calvin was remarkably missionary-minded. He sent the first Protestant missionaries to the New World and had a high view of human beings, including non-Christians. His understanding of union with Christ played out in his view of ministry, prayer, and church unity.
Reintegrating Doctrine and Life
Calvin’s piety is a model for reintegrating doctrine and life, as well as the public and private, corporate and personal, external and internal, formal and informal aspects of Christian formation and discipleship. He encourages us in our suffering and reminds us that faith is not a private hobby but a shared public frame of reference.
A Godly Pastor
If readers look to Calvin, they will find a godly pastor who, with all his flaws, evades caricatures and exhibits the sort of piety that we need desperately today. His legacy is a reminder that Christian living is not just about individual spirituality but about living before God, in God, in the body, and in the world.
Learning from Calvin’s Letters and Writings
Calvin’s letters, commentaries, and Institutes offer a wealth of insight into his piety and its significance for contemporary Christian living. By exploring his writings, we can gain a deeper understanding of his unified vision of life as piety and how it can inform our own Christian formation and discipleship.
Leave a Reply