This year is the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth, another but less important anniversary is it is now 20 years since I was last fashionable. As Calvin will be in fashion this year I thought I would jump at the opportunity to get on the band wagon.
I have recently finished reading T.H.L Parker's biography of Calvin.
You can tell that Calvin is Parker's hero. Parker leads us briefly through Calvin's early life, but as the details of Calvin's conversion are sketchy he doesn't speculate but moves quickly through Calvin's education to his fleeing France because of persecution. Parker concentrates on the act of providence that sent Calvin to Geneva and away from his desired life of scholarship.
Parker presents a reluctant but gifted pastor with a real heart for the gospel and for people, (although it would be wrong to call him a people person). We also get to see that Calvin with weak health endured much suffering because of his stand for Christ. He was something of a workaholic and responded to letters from Evangelical leaders throughout Europe, it took a long time for him to be persuaded to do this through a Secretary.
Parker does deal with the messy controversy involving Servetus (although I felt he tried to hard to get Calvin of the hook). Parker did point out Calvin's faults because Calvin did, his temper was a constant matter for prayer for Calvin.
I have one other biography of Calvin but this book presents a better picture of Calvin the man.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was the very occasional dig at the later Calvinists, Parker's theology would be nearer Karl Barth's. However this is very occasional and for the most part there is a genuine admiration for Calvin and a desire to present his life in the best light.
As I have read the institutes last year I have set myself the challenge to read Calvin's 12 volume New Testament commentaries over the next 12 months.
God Bless
Stephen <><
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