Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Year with Calvin

I stumbled across this a little late, but this year happens to be the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. In celebration of this, Princeton Theological Seminary has decided to read through the Institutes over the course of the year. They have developed a reading plan, and each week a pastor, theologian, or scholar will write a reflection on the reading. You can join the community that is reading together here.

I've always meant to read through the Institutes and usually manage to get 100 or so pages into when something or other comes up and pulls me away. This has served as motivation for me to actually read it, and the reading plan breaks it down so that you only read about 3 pages a day.

I've loved all that I have read of Calvin, thus far and in the past, and am thankful for his contribution to the Church. Calvin is somewhat of a polarizing individual, I've come across people who idolize him, as well as those who loathe him. Usually, neither have actually read him. He often gets a bad rap, typically for his association with predestination (which is almost always unfair, several others spoke much more extensively on this). However, in my reading I have found him to be extremely pastoral and gracious. His theology came within the context of the pastorate. His concerns where on those whom he shepherded. That is extremely appealing to me.

I hope to share some thoughts on what I read from time to time. I would love it even more if anyone (if anyone reads posts that don't have pictures of Lily!) would join and converse with me.

2 comments:

veronika said...

Well, have you read anything fascinating from Calvin lately?

Eric said...

When I read something fascinating I'll tell you! There's been a bunch of great stuff, I just haven't taken the time to write about it yet, but I will eventually.