Customer Reviews

The Expository Genius of John Calvin

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Steve Lawson, senior pastor at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, has started a project - a big project. The project, "A Long Line of Godly Men" is a book series that will survey the doctrines of grace as they have been taught and defended from the time of Moses, to the apostle John, to Augustine, to Luther and Calvin, to Warfield, to present day teachers such as A.W. Pink, Martyn Lloyd Jones, John Piper and John MacArthur. The first installment of this series entitled Foundations of Grace (1400 BC - AD 100) resides on my reading list and hopefully will soon be plundered!

Companion to this series are Lawson's "Long Line of Godly Men Profiles." The first book from this Profile series is "The Expository Genius of John Calvin." In this meaty little book, Lawson, after a short overview of Calvin's birth, early life and conversion, first examines his approach to the pulpit. Here we learn that Calvin's unwavering belief in Biblical authority profoundly shaped his preaching ministry. Calvin himself stated, "We own to the Scripture the same reverence which we owe to God because it proceeded from Him alone, and has nothing of man mixed with it" (27). It was this foundational conviction that propelled and shaped Calvin's ministry. When Calvin when to the pulpit, it was to preach the actual words of God.

Lawson continues from here to outline a total of 32 distinctives of Calvin's preaching, examining everything from Calvin's preparation for the pulpit to the actual sermons themselves. Lawson looks at how Calvin introduced his messages, with what care Calvin took to ensure his message was truly and consistently from the text of Scripture, how he applied the truth to his hearers, and how he concluded his messages. At the end of each chapter, Lawson offers a short prayer to God to raise up men who will be characterized by the previous distinctives he had just laid out in that particular chapter, thus demonstrating that this is not, for Lawson, merely an interesting walk through church history - it is a longing for men of this generation to be found boldly, accurately, and passionately preaching the Word and only the Word.

Lawson is not seeking Calvin clones - Calvin was in his own league - but he is endeavoring to provide preachers with a glimpse of what made this man great, so that we might learn from him and thus become better preachers ourselves for the glory of God and the good of our people. This is an edifying and helpful little book and I recommend it to you.

I started reading this book wanting to know John Calvin better, hoping for a read that would bring history to life. This book contains some biography but, more importantly, Steven Lawson demonstrates how John Calvin brought the Bible to life to his parisheners. This book is broader than reformation theology. In fact, it really isn't about theology at all. Lawson's distillation of the mechanics, content and structure of Calvin's message, combined with spiritual preparation and conviction, show any interested Christian how to reveal a living God in our time. Buy one for yourself and for any pastors you know.

I was given this book as a gift from my pastor. And, on my second attempt I managed to read it (all in one sitting, during a flight across the Atlantic from the States to Ireland).

Although I appreciate the spirit in which Erik Raymond wrote his review, I find the Calvin presented in this particular book to be a polished-up version of what most of today's pastors are (or aspire to be): a better-than-average rhetorician who crafts his "sermon" from 1 oz. Gospel, 1/2 cup Law, 1 pound personal opinion and just a dash of theology and/or original language. The result may be a religiously inspiring talk, but it isn't what ministers of the Word are called to do.

From what I know of Jean Cauvin, I don't get the impression that he was about the business of producing an expositional sermon. Rather, I think his focus was on placarding Christ before Christ's Church so that it could and would intelligently worship the Triune God through the Son and His finished substitutionary work on their behalf. This Calvin did by carefully and methodically examining the Scriptures in front of his congregation(s).

Maybe I missed the author's point. Maybe this book does see a 1:1 correlation between one's theology and one's preaching. Did I miss it? If so, the problem is mine and my agenda.

Or perhaps, any time we attempt to dissect a frog into its parts and then put all the similar parts together, we run the risk of producing a dead monster rather than understanding the living animal. If my analogy holds, then maybe the author's intent was to perform an autopsy. If so, then I should apologize.

The real Calvin, from what I have read of his work, was thorough, typically clear-sighted, aware of his detractors, loved his congregation(s) and was (first and foremost) committed to loving God in gratitude for the saving work of Christ on his behalf. And, because he correctly understood the relationship between the Law and the Gospel, he was also aware that he was a wretched sinner (not just theoretically, but in reality) who was saved by Grace alone both in his justification and in his sanctification.

All that being said, if you truly desire to be a "great" preacher, don't expect that reading this book will permanently change your life and ministry. Instead do what Calvin did: dive into a good systematic theology (e.g. Berkhoff), outline the books of the Bible as you read them, memorize lengthy passages of Scripture so that you can meditate on them while you cut the lawn ... and by all means, buy and study a good introduction to logic.

Allow me to repeat what you already know - there is no other way to become a "valuable" preacher than to devote a few decades to learning Scripture and learning how to think clearly. Don't read about how others excelled at baseball - get out there and get down on your hands and knees so you can taste the clay.

John Calvin has been portrayed in many different ways throughout history. His work on The Institutes still casts a glorious shadow over the church; for indeed Calvin was able to ascend to theological heights that few before or after him could attain. Still others dislike Calvin the theologian, labeling him as mean and cold. This cannot be aided by that one picture that seems like it must be attached to anything that Calvin wrote. You know the one of him with a 13" goatee, droopy eyes and a little skully hat on. But how many of you think about John Calvin the pastor? Maybe this new picture of Calvin with the fur coat and goatee is his pastor look...I don't know.

Thankfully Steve Lawson has written this helpful little book entitled The Expository Genius of John Calvin. Lawson's aim in the book is to put the pastoral ministry of Calvin on a billboard. In doing this he attempts to 1) arouse a new generation of fiery and faithful expositors, 2) expose a current generation of laziness in the pulpit. Given the brevity of the work (142 pages) I think Lawson does a good job at both.

After a brief historical snapshot, Lawson basically takes us through the homiletical process for Calvin. The chapters are jam-packed with quotes and antidotes from Calvin.

Here is the flow for the chapters:

-Approaching the Pulpit

-Preparing the Preacher

-Launching the Sermon

-Expounding the Text

-Crafting the Delivery

-Applying the Truth

-Concluding the Exposition

Lawson notes that Calvin had the 16th century equivalent of audio recordings in Denis Raguenier. Raguenier developed a shorthand formula that enabled him to capture the 6,000 words that Calvin would deliver in an average exposition. This written exposition greatly aided the spread and influence of Calvin's preaching.

Calvin's commitment to the holy purity of the church is encouraging for pastors today. Consider this account with Philibert Berthelier, a prominent libertine, who was excommunicated because of sexual sin. As a result of being put of the church he was forbidden from taking communion. Berthelier was in tight with the politicians who overrode the church's decision to give him the boot. So on an evening service Berthelier and his crew came to Calvin's church wanting to take communion. They came with swords drawn and blood boiling. "Calvin descended from the pulpit, stood in front of the Communion table, and said, `These hands you may crush, these arms you may lop off, my life you may take, my blood is yours, you may shed it; but you shall never force me to give holy things to the profaned and dishonor the table of my God.' Berthelier and the Libertines withdrew, no match for such unflinching convictions." (p. 16)

Lawson writes, "When he studied, it was to behold the majesty of God. Thus, his sermon preparation was not primarily for others; it was first and foremost for his own heart....The pastor, says Calvin, `ought to be prepared by long study for giving to the people, as out of a storehouse, a variety of instruction concerning the Word of God.' That is to say, the preacher can preach God's grandeur only to the extent that he understands the Bible." (pp. 40-41).

Calvin saw his main job to be that of preaching. He gave himself to this task multiple times a week. "From his pulpit, he addressed real people who had real needs, so he spoke to them right where they lived. The goal was to bridge the gap from the text to everyday life by showing its practical relevance. Calvin rightly believed that he did not need to make the Bible relevant--it was relevant. To simply reveal its life-changing power and press it home to his listeners was his mandate....Thus Calvin did not fire over the heads of his people while answering the aberrations of other theologians. He did not misuse the pulpit to rebut his numerous critics. Instead, Calvin remained intent on nurturing the spiritual development of his people. He preached primarily to edify and encourage the congregation God had entrusted to him. In short, he preached for changed life...His objective was to build his congregation up in the things of the Lord, not to tear them down. As a caring pastor, he brought the Word of God to bear on his people's lives, all for God's glory and their good." (104-105).

This book was a refreshing tonic for me as a pastor. I enjoyed Lawson's writing style and his commitment to the basics and power of preaching, "As the Bible was opened, reformation was unleashed." (p.32) Amen.

Steven Lawson's series called A Long Line of Godly Men has made me awfully excited. I love Reformed theology and am thrilled to see the effort Lawson is expending in proving that this theology, seen as so new and so radical by such a large number of Christians, has been consistently taught by courageous and biblical Christians from the time of the writers of the Bible all the way to today. There truly is a long line of godly men testifying to God's sovereignty in these doctrines of grace. And someday I look forward to having a long line of these books on my shelf.

While the main series will encompass five volumes each measuring several hundred pages, there will also be a subseries known as "Long Line of Godly Men Profiles." These books will narrow in on some of the most important figures in church history, attempting to show how they held to these doctrines. It also wieghs and measures the impact of these individuals in one particular area. As I understand it, future volumes will cover Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon and other giants of the faith. Each volume will focus on a particular aspect of that person's ministry and legacy. Preachers will be the key focus for, as Lawson says in his introduction, "I can think of no better discipline for preachers today, apart from the study of Scripture itself, than to examine the biblical exposition of spiritual giants from the past." The first book in this series is The Expository Genius of John Calvin.

Affirming that to step into the pulpit is to enter onto holy ground, Lawson bemoans the fact that we live at a time when so many churches have compromised the sacred calling to preach. "Exposition is being replaced with entertainment, preaching with performances, doctrine with drama, and technology with theatrics. Desperately does the modern-day church need to recover its way and return to a pulpit that is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and life-changing." The goal of the book is simply to allow others to see what a commitment to biblical preaching looks like in the life and ministry of a man who was sold out to this duty. For those who preach, this book ought to call you to a higher standard in handling the Word. If you are a supporter of one called to this ministry, the book will teach you how to pray for the one who teaches you.

The book begins, as we might expect, with a short biography of Calvin but quickly turns to his unsurpassed expository ability. Lawson discusses Calvin's approach to the pulpit, his preparation, his introductions, his method of expounding the text, the way he crafted his delivery, his application of the truth and his concluding statements. In short, it examines each of the components that together formed his sermons. It focuses not only on function, but also on form.

The book is written in a way that is very logical, building around a consistent point-by-point framework as Lawson looks at 32 distinctives of Calvin's preaching. And though the subject may appear to be dry, the book is easy to read and even enjoyable for a person like myself who does not preach. There is much we can all learn from the preaching ministry of John Calvin.

I agree with Lawson and so many others than expository preaching really is the need of the hour. The health of the church will begin with a healthy pulpit. A healthy pulpit is one from which the Word of God is faithfully and consistently preached. Those who wish to be better expositors of the Word should turn to the masters to learn how to improve their ability. John Calvin was one of these masters and one from whom all preachers can surely learn. Dr. Lawson's brief book provides a fantastic introduction to Calvin's ministry, not just in its impact but in its methodology. If this book portends what we can expect from this series (and this series within a series) it will be a landmark collection of books and I will eagerly anticipate the coming releases.

Anyone that writes another biography about the 16th Century reformer better have a good reason to do so. I've lost count at how many of them are out there. So when I got a copy of Lawsons latests book I was a little unsure of what to expect. Its a short book weighing in at 139 pages so anyone expecting a full history of Calvin's life will be dissappointed. It focuses exclusively on style of preaching known as "Expository" preaching, something Calvin did extremely well. Having read a few of Calvins sermons I can vouch for that. Clearly the man had a gift. Lawson is best know for his book "Foundations of Grace" which traces a long line of Godly men who have defended the doctrines of Grace.

It would be easy to underestimate the effect Calvin had on Christianity. He's the next big figure in the reformation after to Martin Luther, at least in terms of influence. Some would say he was a lot less biased than Luther who tended to read Justification by faith into every part of scripture, and saw the Pharisees as a precusor to the Roman Catholic Church. Many today, including myself, still follow the system of theology Calvin laid out known as Calvinism. As Spurgeon said, its not called Calvinism to pay hommage to the man, but rather it is the Gospel full stop. Many seminaries still use his "Institutes of the Christian Religion" as a textbook, and many more still read his commentaries and sermons. It's amazing to think his books are still read 500 years after his death.

The book contains 32 headings that made John Calvins preaching distinct. But you could break the book down into three sections. Preparation, Content and Delivery. How did Calvin prepare beforehand? What made up the content of his sermons, and how did he deliver them? Lawson concludes the brief account of Calvins life by saying "The church is always looking for better methods to reach the world. But God is looking for men who will devote themselves to His Biblically mandated method for advancing his kingdom, namely, preaching- and not just any kind of preaching, but expository preaching." (page 18) I know there are some out there who will disagree with this but this must be the mandate of every pastor. The Church is the last place on Earth where people can hear the Gospel truth. When we stop preaching the Gospel its like we cease to be a church.

"[The Preachers] pulpit ministry is governed by what he believes scripture to be..." (page 23). Calvin had an extremely high view of scripture. He recognised that scripture alone is to have the final say in matters of faith. Calvin also believed that all of scripture was literally God breathed. At times perhaps too much as Lawson quotes him saying that it had nothing to do with Men, hinting at a form of docestism. Calvin There was much I didn't know about Calvin that this book highlighted for me. For instance as prepared as he was to preach he never took any notes with him to the pulpit. He had a brilliant mind, and an ability to systematize his thoughts with great precision. This is clear when you read his sermons. But that isn't the full picture. Calvin also relied heavily on the "inward efficacy of the Holy spirit" during his preaching. He was quick to realise that a brilliant mind and sound doctrine meant nothing if the Holy Spirit does not work on the hearts of those listening. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.

Calvin did not preach to rebut critics or other theologians but was primarily concerned with his congregations spiritual health. Although he he pulled no punches when it came to the Roman Catholic Church and its practices he spent much more time pastorally caring for his flock. When he preached he used the common idioms and expressions of the day to connect with his listeners. Calvin also saw himself as the first listener, and the toughest man in his audience to convince. His calls to personal examination were first directed at himself and then to the congregation. "We must therefore, examine our lives not against one of Gods precepts but against the whole law. Can anyone of us truly say that we are blameless?" (page 108). He called people to "search their lives carefully in light of the truth he had proclaimed" (page 109)

At times i was confronted with a portrait of a man who appeared to be super human. It reminded me of William Wallace who was said to be 7 feet tall...and could shoot bolts of lightning out his backside. He preached ten times every fortnight, and someimes three times on Sundays. He preached even when he was severely ill and had to be lead up to the pulpit in a stretcher. He preached in the face of opposition which at times boiled over to physical confrontation in the Church. He lectured students, and cared pastorally for his church. He faced political oppression, exile and harrassment. His wife died and he never remarried. He also suffered the death of some of his children. Yet in all this he never stopped preaching and proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. He was not perfect. He lacked warmth in his personality, and was found not to be a great orator. He was also described as stoic and trite, lacking in humour. Yet Inspite of all opposition and limitations he remains one of the most influential figures in history. Indeed when after returning from exile he returned to his church and continued to preach, picking up from where he left off. No really, from the very next verse! That tells you a lot his character.

On the back cover Lawson writes that this book intends to raise the bar for future expository preachers. For those interested in preaching, Lawson has given us a goldmine. In our day preaching is seen as irelevant, or unneccessary. But Calvin didn't believe he needed to make the Bible relevant, he believed it was relevant (page 104). Man still suffers from the same condition of his forefather Adam. Man is still a sinner in need of saviour. Post modern man is no different from Pre-modern man in that respect. We may have more books to read, but many christians today are biblically illiterate. My hope is that God continues to raise men and women who are committed to proclaiming his word to people all over the world. My only criticism of this book is that it was a little too brief. The notes at the end of each chapter showed that Lawson had interacted with an enormous amount of primary and secondary literature surrounding Calvin. I would have liked a more indepth look at the events in Calvins life and ministry. The narrow focus of the book obviously lead to its brevity. But I was left feeling that there was a lot of untapped potential. But that said I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It makes a compelling case for the primacy of preaching and the need to get the Gospel right in word and deed. I highly reccomend it.

The Expository Genius of John Calvin

Steven Lawson

160 pages

Reformation Trust (2007)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Preaching / Biography / Church History

Introduction:

Steven Lawson, the author of the series, A Long Line of Godly Men, will, I think, contribute much to our understanding of the wonderful truths of the Bible. Separate from this book, yet in the same series, Lawson has embarked on a five-volume series on the doctrines of grace, as they're commonly referred to. I'm midway with the first volume (Foundations of Grace) and I am in immense gratitude for this piece of work which has expanded and taken me deeper and deeper into the wonderful doctrines of the sovereignty of God in all of human affairs -- salvation included-- and the great grace we experience because of His good pleasure.

Despite our thoughts of John Calvin (1509-1564), one cannot dismiss his impact on the church -- effects which we still feel today. While many have written on Calvin and his life, few have written solely of him and his preaching; Lawson seeks to do just that.

It is no understatement to say that preaching today is on a downgrade within the evangelical church. Lawson points out:

"Exposition is being replaced with entertainment, preaching with performances, doctrine with drama, and technology with theatrics. Desperately does the modern-day church need to recover its way and return to a pulpit that is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and life-changing" (p. xi).

Future books in this series will delve into the ministries of such men as Martin Luther, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards (which is to come out in September of 2008, entitled, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards), Charles Spurgeon, and others. It is no lie that my anticipation for this series is high and I'm sure I won't be let down.

Book Structure:

The book covers everything in preaching -- from core foundations to all the practical nuts-and-bolts of the preaching development to the concluding remarks of the sermon.

Here are the chapter titles:

1. Calvin's Life and Legacy
2. Approaching the Pulpit
3. Preparing the Preacher
4. Launching the Sermon
5. Expounding the Text
6. Crafting the Delivery
7. Applying the Truth
8. Concluding the Exposition

In the chapters, Lawson breaks into very practical observations from Calvin's preaching methodology (e.g., persuasive reasoning, vivid expressions, simple restatements, loving rebuke, climactic prayer, and many more -- 32 in all).

The book as a whole is easy to read and follow. It's a small (5.25 x 7.5) and relatively short.

[From publisher: pdf file of table of contents and sample chapter]

Notable Quotes:

* "The greatest seasons of church history--those eras of widespread reformation and great awakening--have been those epochs in which God-fearing men took the inspired Word and unashamedly preached it in the power of the Holy Spirit" (xi-xii).
* "Calvin's high view of preaching was undergirded by a high view of God, a high view of Scripture, and an accurate view of man. . . . Where are such men of God today? Where are the preachers like Calvin, who will preach the Word with unwavering commitment? Where are the pastors who believe that God is uniquely with them as they mount their pulpits for the exposition of His Word? Where are the shepherds who have prioritized the preaching of the Word in public worship? Where are the expositors who will preach entire books of the Bible consecutively month after month and year after year?. . . . It is desperately essential in this hour that preachers recover a soaring vision of the supremacy of God. Life-changing, history-altering preaching will come only when pastors reclaim a high view of God's blazing holiness and are overshadowed by His absolute sovereignty. Towering thoughts of God's transcendent glory must captivate preachers' souls. May you be one who leaves the lowlands of trivial thoughts about God behind. A low view of God leads only to mediocrity. But a high view of God inspires holiness and a resolute spirit. May you ascend to the heights of the mountaintop and behold, as Calvin did, the breathtaking glory of God." (pp. 34-35, 51).
* Calvin: "We must all be pupils of the Holy Scriptures, even to the end; even those, I mean, who are appointed to proclaim the Word. If we enter the pulpit, it is on this condition, that we learn while teaching others. I am not speaking here merely that others may hear me; but I too, for my part, must be a pupil of God, and the word which goes forth from my lips must profit myself; otherwise woe is me! The most accomplished in the Scripture are fools, unless they acknowledge that they have need of God for their schoolmaster all the days of their life" (pp. 41-42).
* This is where application must begin in every sermon-- with the preacher himself. Before any expositor looks outward
to the congregation, he must first look inward. One finger points out to the people, but three point back at his own heart. No preacher can take his people where he himself is not willing to go. May God give His church in this day humble and holy shepherds who practice what they preach" (p. 116).

Conclusion:

Some might say, "There's really no point in reading a book such as this if I don't preach." -- Nothing can be further from the true. While preachers will benefit greatly from a work such as this, I believe that ordinary folk who sit on the pews on Sunday mornings will reap great rewards from this work. We should all walk out saying, "We truly have heard the Word of God preached and proclaimed."

The pulpit, and the preacher who stands behind it, are one of the most important -- if not the most -- aspects of a church body. It is from this dynamic that God has set in place where the people of the Lord hear the Word and commit to obey. The pastor shepherds the flock, and one of the ways he does that is by leading the sheep into the marvelous truths of Scripture, in order for us be fed by it and grow in regards to salvation. Furthermore, with such insights gleaned from this book, one will be able to support and pray for one's pastor; knowing that the call is no easy task, but one which requires the preacher to bow the knee before the Lord and His Word and then, in the power of the Spirit, proclaim it to a lost and sinful world in desperate need of the truth.

All that to say that I warmly recommend this book to both preacher and congregant alike -- both will greatly benefit.

Introduction:
This is by far one of the most interesting books I have ever read. I never knew there was so much to say about the preaching-style of John Calvin. This book is both for the layman and the pastor. As a layman, myself, I have come to greatly appreciate the expository preaching of my own pastors. I never knew/acknowledged the level of study and preparation required to preach a solid expository sermon. I thank God for my pastors and for saints like Calvin who have poured out their lives to teach people like me the truths of God and His Word.

Things I liked:
The book stays true to the title. Every aspect of the book is tailored to the preaching-style of John Calvin. Not only is his preaching-style discussed, his pastoral heart is mentioned because his heart as a pastor is what established his preaching-style. Dr. Lawson establishes the fact that Calvin's extreme devotion to the scriptures and careful delivery of his sermons were not for the reasons many non-Calvinists characterize Calvin (and his followers) with - haughtiness, arrogance, pride, etc. No. Why Calvin studied and preached the way he did was primarily for his flock. He wanted to clearly and thoroughly teach and explain every verse of the Bible. Amazingly, he almost accomplished the feat.

Dr. Lawson does not leave us with an interesting bit of history while leaving our minds satisfied with this newly acquired (for many of us) knowledge. He does an amazing job in laying out reasons why Calvin's example is important to us today. In an age where pastors are entertaining more than teaching and churches seems more like social clubs than a place for iron to sharpen iron, church history has several lessons for us so that we do not continue to make the same mistakes. As Dr. Lawson states, "There are no new remedies for old problems. We must come back to old paths." And what better way than to turn to a "Word-driven, God-exalting, Christ-centered, and Spirit-empowered" method of preaching through the exposition of the Word?

Things I didn't like:
Nothing!

Final thoughts and Conclusion:
RECOMMENDED. Every Christian should read this book. If your pastors are expositing the Bible every Sunday, you will thank God for their devotion to preaching. If your pastors are not expositing the Bible every Sunday, you will realize what you are missing out on and will be convicted to approach him about the issue.

However, if you are looking for a thorough biography on John Calvin or a theological study on Calvinism, this book may not be for you. For a deeper study on Calvinism, I recommend "Living for God's Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism" by Joel R. Beeke.

If you enjoyed this book, I recommend checking out the other books in the "Long Line of Godly Men" series. I can't wait to get my hands on the Jonathan Edwards one.

The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steven J. Lawson, published by Reformation Trust (Lake Mary, FL: 2007), is part of Lawson's Long Line of Godly Men series. The main volumes are large works dealing with the Doctrines of Grace, one of which has been published so far (Volume One: Foundations of Grace). There are also smaller books looking at some particular aspect of a particular historical figure's life and/or ministry. There are two such books published so far, the one in question and also a book on Jonathan Edwards. This excellent little book is not another biography of John Calvin. Rather, it is study in homiletics, a text book for preachers, if you will. Dr. Lawson argues for our need of solid, biblical, expository preaching, and what such preaching should look like. It just so happens that John Calvin is a model example, and so this book examines the preaching of John Calvin.

Lawson does provide us with a brief biographical look at John Calvin. Of all his many titles and accomplishments, Calvin was primarily a teacher. He is often remembered for his theological precision, his polemics, and his weighty text books, but Calvin thought of himself simply as a preacher who must feed the flock entrusted to him with the Word of God. And this he did, day in and day out, as well as training other men to do the same.

To properly understand Calvin's sermons and preaching, we must first understand his foundations and presuppositions, which Steven Lawson lists as follows. First, Calvin's reliance upon the Bible as the sole authority in all matters. It is the preacher's duty to expound the Scripture, and to say nothing that is not within its pages. Secondly, God is present when His word is preached. Thirdly, preaching the pure Word is the main priority of the worship service. That is when God's people come to hear Him speak to them. Fourth, a verse-by-verse exposition of books of the Bible guarantees that the whole counsel of God will be preached.

Calvin prepared for his sermons by diligently studying and learning of the Scriptures. He lived and breathed the Bible. He devoted himself to godliness because he did not think that a preacher should ask anything of his congregation that he does not demand of himself. Also, he had a relentless will to preach and pastor continuously, all for the glory of God.

John Calvin began his sermons by diving directly into the text he was preaching from. No silly anecdotes preceded the word of God. He would briefly recap what had been previously preached to remind his listeners of the context of the whole argument of the author of the book he was preaching from. Calvin also delivered his sermons extemporaneously, without notes. This provided for a lively exposition rather than a dry reading of a manuscript, as was often done in those days. To make sure that his hearers knew what to expect, he would also start his sermon with a thesis statement for his sermon.

It was Calvin's method to preach from a specific text. He didn't pick a topic and then choose some various verses that might support his thesis. He had the text before him first, and he preached from that, never straying from it. He was careful in using the historical-grammatical method of interpretation; that is, he wanted to discern what the author meant when he wrote the book to his audience. There is only one true interpretation of any given passage of Scripture, and that is what the author intended it to mean. In line with this, Calvin also interpreted the text in the literal sense in which it was written. In determining the meaning of difficult texts, Calvin knew that Scripture is its own interpreter. Thus, he would bring in other, clearer passages of Scripture to explain his text. But even his use of cross-references was sparing, so that he would not stray too far from his initial text. Calvin reasoned persuasively, contrasting truth with error and making use of similes, etc. He also made applications from reasonable inferences of the text, thought he strove to never speculate beyond what Scripture says itself.

Although Calvin very strongly emphasized substance over style, he was nevertheless not without style in his preaching. Despite his incredible intelligence and knowledge Latin, French, and biblical Hebrew and Greek, he always preached in a simple, familiar language that could be easily understood by his audience. However, unlike many preachers today who attempt the same, he still used biblical language. Calvin would employ vivid expressions and ask thought-provoking questions to engage his listeners. He also would offer simple paraphrases of bible passages to explain them. "In other words, the apostle is saying..." as an example. Despite Calvin's being very well-read, he very rarely quoted outside authors. He did not want to obscure the Bible with the words of other men. Though Calvin gave no outline or clever alliteration in his sermons, his sermons still followed the logical flow of the text, with smooth transitions between points. Calvin was effective as a preacher because of his intensity of focus to the text of Scripture.

Mere impartation of knowledge did not constitute a sermon in Calvin's opinion, so he also applied his sermons to the everyday lives of the people in Geneva. Calvin also preached to himself and always included himself in the applications. When exhorting the people to live the truth that was just preached or to examine themselves in light of the truth, he would say, "We must look at ourselves," or "we must strive," etc. He did not believe himself to be above the common man in the struggle for sanctification. Calvin also lovingly rebuked the sins that beset the people of that time and place, and he argued polemically against the major heresies of the day, particularly of Roman Catholicism.

In concluding his sermon, Calvin would remind his listeners of the main points that he had provided and heartily appeal for them to be doers of the word. Finally, he offered prayer to God, bringing the congregation into the throne room of God and leaving them coram Deo.

Steven Lawson's concludes the book by urging preachers today to return to biblical, expository preaching. He compares modern evangelicalism to white-washed tombs, in need of reform just as badly as the medieval church did. The only cure today is the same cure that was needed then, and that is expository preaching.

I know that my summary of this book is rather long, but every point Lawson makes is an important one and there is nothing that I can really add. There are some thoughts that strike me and I will tell them now. First, as I said before, this is not a biography of Calvin. In fact, in a certain sense, this is not a book about Calvin at all. It could very well be a book on the principle of sola Scriptura as applied to preaching. "What?" saith you. "How can a book that focuses on a mere man from church history be about Scripture alone? That is contradictory." Well, not really. That is why I urge you to read this book instead of just reading my summary. "Calvinists" are often accused of following a man, as opposed to following the Bible (though that accusation only works when our opponents are labeling us with a man's name and rejecting any label themselves, though they are just as guilty of following man-made traditions). One could look at the cover of this book, with John Calvin's name and picture on it, and assume that Steven J. Lawson is just some Calvin-follower, who is not so interested in what the Bible has to say. Such people need to read this book and they will quickly become disabused of such an idea. All of Calvin's preaching was aimed at taking peoples' focus off of the preacher and onto the glorious God being preached about. And this book functions in the same way. It points us to Calvin's preaching which itself points us to God and Christ as found in the Bible, and the Bible alone. With Calvin as his example, Lawson exhorts preachers to preach nothing but what is found in the Bible. They are not to waste time with extra-Biblical stories, philosophies, or speculations. If there is something that we wish to know but the Bible does not reveal, we are to not complain but to accept it, being content with what God does choose to reveal to us.

A second thought of mine (and I guess this is where my endorsement of this book really comes in) is that I really wish preachers would read this book. Well, everybody should read it, but preachers especially. There is a real crisis in worship in our day, exemplified in one way by the fact that we tend to use the word "worship" to refer to that part of the service that is not the preaching. But what is more worshipful than to humbly and obediently listen to God speak to us in His word, and to have His words explained to us? What we have to give to Him is nothing compared to what He has to give to us. And we are not going to get what He provides from sermons that expound nothing more than the preacher's sentiments on what is popular at the time. It is only God's word expounded that we get that nourishment that we need. The pulpit is the throne on which the Word of God sits, and we need to honor it. This book presses home this importance in every sentence.

One final thought, and that is about Steven Lawson himself. I have heard him preach a few times in person, and let me tell you, he practices what he writes about in this book. When he preaches, you really feel that you've been Preached at, with a capital "P". It is not a lecture, a talk, a sharing, or a conversation. It is the words of God poured into and out from a heart set on fire for the zeal of God's glory. So read this book, then try to hear Steven Lawson preach in person, and you will know exactly what a sermon is supposed to be.

As William Farel might say, "Buy this book, or else God will punish you."

this book proved a good and insightful read. It informed me as to the life lived by the man john calvin. i found it instructive for me as i desire to be used of God as well as insightful. It adds my study of The doctrine he layed out. I highly recommend it for those who are studying Calvinism and if you already have a good understanding of it, this will only add to it as it teaches you about the man and his approach to the ministries in which he partook. Well done!