The (500th) birthday boy...

Well, July 10, 2009 came and went. 500 years and 1 day  ago, Calvin was born and little did his parents know that his birth was usher in one of the finest theologians in the history of the Christian Church. Love or loathe him, no one can deny the influence that John Calvin has had on the evangelical, Protestant Churches, through his magnum opus The Institutes of the Christian Religion, his many commentaries, the many preachers who went forth from Geneva and the Reformed churches which stand in the memory of Mr. Calvin.

As we thank the Lord for the gracious life of his servant, may we realise that Calvin is not the real focus of this day – the Godhead are. The Father, in eternity past, chose Calvin to salvation, just as He chose you and me for salvation (John 6:37, 44; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:6-29; Ephesians 1:4-11 – yes Calvin was not specially elected above us mere mortals ) It was the Son who went to the Cross for him, just like any one of us (2 Cor 5:21; Romans 3:21-26). It was the Spirit who drew the young lawyer-in-training to himself out of the darkness of medieval Catholicism (John 6:44) and regenerated him (John 3:3-16).

I think it’s safe to say that July 10 was not about John Calvin at all – this is a day of praise to our Triune God for being with his ever-humble servant, John Calvin, during His earthly ministry. Now he’s enjoying the day off to end all days off – eternity with his ever-living Saviour God. So, Mr. Calvin, we salute you, a humble messenger of the great God.

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