BOOK REVIEW:
Grace and Its Fruits: Selections from John Calvin on the Pastoral Epistles. Edited by Joseph Hill. Darlington, UK: The Evangelical Press, 2000. 318 pp. ISBN: 0852344457. 

This collection of Calvin’s sermons, preached originally at St. Peter’s church, Geneva, offers insight into the pastoral theology of the Reformer. The sermons, some of which are not readily available elsewhere in contemporary English, teach deep truths about the Christian life, sustaining food for the believer’s journey.

A typical sermon, on II Timothy 1:8-9, begins with encouragement to preach the gospel, then considers the oppression of some in behalf of the gospel. The sermon moves to consider the grace of God before time, concluding with several reasons to pay attention to this doctrine. God’s grace in the election of believers is followed by God’s grace infusing believers with the Christian faith and other necessary ingredients for discipleship. God’s grace is pervasive, according to Calvin.

This sermon, and almost all those selected for publication, focus on the election of believers as a testimony to the goodness of God. Divine election should be preached despite opposition to it, for “we should know that it is a very profitable doctrine for us, because we cannot grasp the infinite goodness of God until we come to know this doctrine.” (p. 115).

Other sermons—consistently remaining close to the Bible texts under scrutiny--focus on matters of faith, spiritual disciplines, and admonitions for practical living. Be fervent in prayer. Make peace with others. Rejoice in the gospel. God turns evil to good.

Here we find in a sermon on Titus 2:11-14, advice from John Calvin concerning commercial life. “Therefore, when we have to conduct business with our neighbours, let us avoid all underhanded dealings, spitefulness, or cruelty. Let us not be in the habit of exploiting people. Let none of us seek our own gain…especially let no one be wedded to his own profit” (p. 304).

My favorite section occurs in a sermon on Titus 1:7-9, a homily on the special responsibility of those who minister. “When we teach others,” Calvin says, “we must also be willing to be taught. For if we are not willing to learn, and to profit [from instruction] so we may be able to share with others what we have learned, we shall never be able to do our duty. . .” (p. 199).

The sermons evidence Calvin a thoroughly biblical teacher and preacher, confident of the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet modest regarding his own location in the economy of salvation.

The pastoral theology of John Calvin was a sturdy, nuanced, and practical one. He preached timely sermons that teach timeless insights. The collection of sermons might serve well as a devotional tool, as a supplemental reading for students engaged in the study of Calvin, or as a guide for those preaching on the particular texts included. Sadly, the introduction to the life of Calvin gives little assistance in comprehending the context for the preaching or the context for today appropriating the wisdom. 

Louis Weeks
President
Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education           .

PUBLISHED IN THE BULLETIN OF THE INSTITUTE FOR REFORMED THEOLOGY, WINTER 2003, VOL. 3, #1.