Calvin and the Reform Tradition 2 Lt Yapias Unclassified

Predecessor: Ulrich Zwingli 1484-1531 Leader of the Reformation in Switzerland Somewhat of a competitor of Martin Luther Died in battle fighting against Catholics in Switzerland Taught Sola Scriptura (Luther was Sola Fide) His preaching style was doing courses through the Bible (as opposed to preaching from the lectionary) Liturgy in Church was formulated around the sermon, instead of the Eucharist.

Radical Reformationists Anabaptists – Believed someone should only be baptized when they were old enough to understand it. Rejected infant baptism. Rejected the Church control over the State Believed they were called to reinstitute the ancient Christian Church Feverous Missionaries Pacifism  Martyrdom The first generation of Anabaptists were priests, but they eventually died off or were martyred. Then, they relied on non-professional lay clergy When they preached they did not follow rhetorical patterns, virtually anyone in the congregation could preach according to their general knowledge of the gospel. They would read a text, explain or expound it, then sing and pray. Most of Anabaptist printed sermons were not meant for the pulpit but rather family devotional settings.

John Calvin 1509-1564 8 years old when Luther posted his 95 theses Father was a Notary working for a Priest Set son up to become a priest Went to the University of Paris at 14, graduated at 19 Many of his professors were critical of the abuses of Catholicism while remaining loyal Had to flee Paris after his friend gave a critical sermon of the Church

Calvin began preaching as he journeyed around France and into Italy. Recruited by William Farel to join the reformation in Geneva Calvin was reluctant to join the Reformationists. Farle told him that God would curse him he didn’t use his gifts to help. Calvins sermons: Roughly 290 per year. Preaching was essential to the identity of the Church “Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists.”

Luther argued that preaching was the word of God Calvin believed that ministers should not assume that God is speaking through them Preaching was a viable communication line for the Holy Spirit to act However, a person would not receive insight that did not already exist in scripture Sermons need to come through scripture. Proponent of Sola Scriptura

General Outline of Calvin’s Sermon 1. Prayer. 2. Recapitulation of previous sermon. 3. (a) Exegesis and exposition of first member. (b) Application of this, and exhortation to obedience or duty. 4. (a) Exegesis and exposition of second member. 5. Bidding to prayer, which contains a summary of the sermon