Unpacking John Calvin’s Vision for the Christian Life
John Calvin’s magnum opus, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, has been a cornerstone of Reformed theology for centuries. But what did Calvin believe was essential for living a faithful Christian life? In his teaching on this topic, Calvin reveals a deep concern for practicality and usefulness, making his work a treasure trove for pastors, students, scholars, and everyday Christians alike.
The Evolution of Calvin’s Thought
Calvin’s Institutes underwent significant changes between its initial publication in 1536 and its final form in 1559. Notably, he added a concluding chapter on the Christian life in the second edition (1539), which he later expanded into five chapters (chaps. 6-10) in Book 3 of the final edition. These chapters discuss self-denial, bearing one’s cross, meditation on the future life, and the implications for our attitude toward this life.
The Christian Life as a Journey
For Calvin, the Christian life is a journey marked by daily progress, not perfection. He sets out general principles to guide believers, emphasizing the need for self-denial and submission to God’s will. This, he argues, is the key to progress in the Christian life. In chapter 7, Calvin focuses on the importance of denying oneself and taking up one’s cross, as Jesus taught in Matthew 16:24.
Bearing the Cross and Meditating on the Future Life
Calvin continues his exposition of Matthew 16:24 in chapter 8, where he discusses bearing the cross as an aspect of self-denial. This involves patiently suffering tribulations, which serve various purposes, including revealing our weakness, building character, and testing patience. In chapter 9, Calvin turns to meditation on the future life, urging believers to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes eternity over earthly concerns.
A Middle Way Between Materialism and Asceticism
In the final chapter (chap. 10), Calvin presents a balanced approach to using earthly possessions, avoiding both materialism and asceticism. He advocates for moderate use, stewardship, and generosity, providing principles that remain valuable today.
Calvin’s Debt to the Devotio Moderna
Calvin’s work shows the influence of the late medieval Devotio Moderna, a spiritual renewal movement emphasizing conversion, practical Christian living, and holiness. However, Calvin translates these ideals into a Protestant, “secular” setting, targeting not monks but Christians living in society.
The Gospel’s Power to Transform
Calvin’s aim is not merely to inform the mind but to form the heart through the mind. He writes, “The gospel… is not a doctrine of the tongue but of life. It is not grasped merely by the intellect and memory… but it is taken in only when it possesses the entire soul.”
A New Translation for a New Era
This article is adapted from the introduction to On the Christian Life: A New Translation by John Calvin, which aims to serve lay readers, pastors, students, and scholars across the English-speaking world in the twenty-first century. The translation itself will be fresh, contemporary, and accurate, based on the Latin text with reference to Calvin’s own French translation.
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