Calvin's preaching

Calvinist Cowboy · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 07:05 PM

I'm gathering data for a paper, and I could use some help. Can anyone suggest some good journal articles regarding the preaching of Calvin?

dannyhyde · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 11:39 PM

There are two good ones here: CSS Colloquium Publications

Erik A. deBoer, "The Congrégation: An In-Service Training Center for Preachers to the People of Geneva," 2003 Calvin Studies Society Papers.

Thomas J. Davis, "Preaching and Presence:Constructing Calvin's Homiletical Legacy," 1999 Calvin Studies Society Papers.

I'd also suggest John Witvliet, Images and Themes in Calvin's Theology of Worship," 1999 Calvin Studies Society Papers.

**DMcFadden** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 01:51 AM

I know that these are not journal articles, but: The recent PRTS conference on Calvin had an address on Calvin's "Preaching Christ from the Old Testament" by David Murray. You might be able to get his notes if you ask him for them.

Derek Thomas' Calvin's Teaching on Job is about Calvin's preaching on that book of the Bible.

Lawson's The Expository Genius of John Calvin is also quite good.

Calvin’s Preaching. By T. H. L. Parker. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1992.

And, a few journal articles . . .

"Calvin’s Doctrine of the Proclamation of the Word and Its Significance for Today in the Light of Recent Research." John H. Leith
RevExp 86:1 (Winter 1989) p. 29.

"The Divine Majesty of the Word: John Calvin, The Man and His Preaching." John Piper. Southern Baptist Journal of Theology Volume 3 (vnp.3.2.4).

Here is a small piece out of a journal . . .

Quote:

Calvin as Preacher

So far we have described two aspects of Calvin’s theological program as well as two dimensions of his vocation as a doctor ecclesiae. In his roles as theologian and exegete, he endeavored to provide ministers and students a comprehensive understanding of the Scriptures and the Protestant religion. But Calvin was also a preacher, and in this capacity he recognized his responsibility to instruct ordinary Christians who could neither read Latin commentaries nor master the finer details of theological discourse. In a preface to Chrysostom’s homilies, penned in 1540, Calvin highlights the vital importance of interpreting the Scriptures for common lay people:
Now truly, if it is right that ordinary Christians should not be deprived of the Word of their God, neither should they be denied the resources to help them understand it correctly . . . It is obvious, therefore, that they should be assisted by the work of interpreters who have advanced in the knowledge of God to a level that they can guide others as well.18
WTJ 67:1 (Spring 2005) p. 7

The interpretive resources that Calvin had in mind in this passage were Chrysostom’s sermons, which at the time he proposed to publish in order to “facilitate the reading of Holy Scripture for those who are humble and uneducated.”19 A decade later, Calvin’s own sermons would serve the same purpose. Beginning in 1549, a refugee society called La compagnie des e´trangers hired a stenographer named Denis Raguenier to copy word for word Calvin’s sermons delivered from the pulpit of St. Pierre’s in Geneva. Of more than 2000 French sermons transcribed, Raguenier and his assistants published several hundred, with the financial proceeds going to support the city’s poor refugees.20 It is not the purpose of this article to describe in detail the general principles underlying Calvin’s theory of preaching. It is sufficient to note that in style and form, Calvin’s sermons stand somewhat closer to his exegetical than his theological writings, though they form a distinct genre of their own. As with his commentaries, Calvin’s sermons begin by quoting the scriptural text and then provide a running exposition of the biblical narrative. His sermons, however, are more expansive, often exceeding by four or five times the length of the corresponding comment in his commentary21In his pulpit oratory, Calvin takes greater liberty to develop theological themes, discuss parallel passages, and draw out points of application, all in a style less formal and more accessible to his congregation. Thus, whereas the reformer’s homiletic style has decisively departed from the principle of brevitas, it remains faithful to the principle of perspicua and communicates the intention of the author in a manner that is clear and compelling. As in his exegetical writings, Calvin believes that the sermon is no place for the preacher to show off his rhetorical skills or indulge in extravagant speculations. Rather, pulpit exposition should be truthful, direct, and appropriate to the text that is being considered.22 Central to Calvin’s theological program, therefore, is the conviction that scriptural interpretation—whether in the form of exegetical writings, sermons, or theological common places—must equip the people of God to understand and respond to the Word of God.

Westminster Theological Journal Volume 67 (vnp.67.1.6-67.1.7).

Christusregnat · #4 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 09:02 AM

I know that this is not exactly what you are looking for, but Calvin's sermons are available in some spotty selections. For instance, Banner of Truth republished his sermons on Titus and 1 & 2 Timothy, Genesis 1 - 11, and you can find his sermons on Deuteronomy 28 online.

Cheers,

Calvinist Cowboy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 03:38 AM

Thank you all for your suggestions!

***Contra_Mundum*** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Amazon

Archlute · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:02 PM

The work by Parker is excellent. You may check and see if he has any essays listed in the bibliography since I am almost certain that you are trying to fulfill the two journal article minimum requirement for WSC research papers

Calvinist Cowboy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 11:00 PM

It's actually three articles required now.