In case you’ve been living in a cave (as I do), Calvin’s 500th birthday is today. Frankly, I’ll be glad when all the hoopla is over with. As much as I like Calvin’s theology, I don’t like focusing so much on one man other than Jesus and I have a low tolerance for repetition. I also think it’s strange that people say he’s 500 years old when he died a long time ago.
However, I decided to gather some links for those who are interested in reading more about Calvin and I’ll start of with a couple that defend the celebration and talk about his weaknesses.
Celebrating Calvin’s Birthday for Christ by Abraham Piper at Desiring God
As we’ve begun talking about John Calvin more over the last months, we’ve gotten several responses from folks who are concerned that we’re focusing on a man at the expense of focusing on God. We appreciate this sentiment and want to be careful to not let that be the case.
Yes, we’re focusing on Calvin a lot this year in commemoration of his 500th birthday, but it’s not for the sake of Calvin. Being a Christian doesn’t mean ignoring everything but God; it means celebrating God and each of his good gifts—whether it’s a meal, a family, or a 500-year-old reformer.
Withering and the Word: John Calvin at 500 – DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed
We do the memory of Calvin no disservice to admit that he had weaknesses. He was physically frail and could be emotionally volatile. No one lamented his own weaknesses–physical and spiritual–more than himself. And no one understand general human weakness better than Calvin. The universe of Calvin’s thought was one where man was small and God was very big. He had no problem being thought of as dust, or a worm, or grass, because he knew that’s what he was compared to the infinite glory, splendor, and holiness of a sovereign God. In a culture like ours where everyone has their thing, their schtick, it’s worth remembering that Calvin’s thing was always the word of God and the glorious God he met there.
Must-have Memorabilia for John Calvin at 500 years
HT: beauty of the bible
What is Calvin doing with his hand?
What Can We Gain from Calvin Today?
Why Is Calvin Controversial?
John Calvin’s 500th Birthday – Calvin and the Holy Spirit
Read the Entire July Issue of Tabletalk on John Calvin Online
Book Reviews
Homage to the Institutes
At Scripture Zealot:
John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion Doctrine & Doxology
I feel the same way about calling it his 500th birthday. He’s been dead for a long time! Hence I described today as the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin.
Yes, that sounds much better.
Jeff
Nice work. tc’s post is great, isn’t it?
What’s really funny is that iGoogle is celebrating the birthday of Nikola Tesla, not Calvin.
Thanks. I liked TC’s post.
I hadn’t heard of Nikola Tesla. I bet he had a Protestant work ethic.
Jeff
Nice, post Jeff. I’m a bit disturbed by the title “Celebrating Calvin’s Birth for Christ.”
I’m with you and this hoopla thing.
Thanks guys, for liking my parody of sorts.
I did a post on John Calvin’s theology of the Holy Spirit.
Thanks TC.
Brian, I added a link to your post.
Jeff