Overview of this article:
The present article is an introduction to the pastoral theology of John Calvin. It is being released as a three-part series: Part 1 begins with an investigation into Calvin’s pastoral background, which grounds his theological articulation of the task; Part 2 begins the didactic explanation of seven key conceptions fundamental to Calvin’s pastoral ministry; Part 3 completes the list of seven key concepts of Calvin’s pastoral theology, and concludes with a summary of Calvin’s aim for pastoral ministry.
While a variety of texts and biographies have served to inform this assessment of Calvin’s ministry, these seven key components are extracted from Calvin’s sermons on 2 Timothy — John Calvin, Sermons on Second Timothy. Newly translated from the French of 1561, translated by Robert White (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2018). This sermon series is ideal as the primary source for the topic of this article given that it is in keeping with Calvin’s assessment of 2 Timothy (a letter written by Paul to a young pastor), and accurately captures and summarizes the heart of Calvin’s pastoral theology.
Part 1: The Reluctant Pastor is Prepared — Calvin’s Ministry Background
John Calvin wanted to serve the church. He was happy to do it in Strasbourg, under the tutelage of Martin Bucer. His desire and assumption was he would produce his theological writings from the silence and solitude afforded in Strasbourg; as it turned out, the opposite was true.
Calvin’s affections were for France and his heart was set on Strasbourg, yet he found himself bound to Geneva by the prophetic word of God spoken through Calvin’s (eventual) life-long friend, and firebrand of a man, Guillaume Farel. Calvin was forced to leave his home in France and he was prevented from a life of quiet study in Strasbourg, yet it was in the midst of this unexpected upending that he produced what has become some of the most significant theological writings in the history of the church.
“Calvin’s path to pastoral wisdom
came through unexpected means.”
Calvin’s path to pastoral wisdom came through unexpected means. Early in 1538 the relationship between the Genevan city officials and the two keynote Genevan reformers —namely, Calvin and Farel — became unbearably rocky. Something was bound to give way underfoot, and it was Calvin and Farel who suffered the brunt. They were stripped of their ecclesiastical office and ordered to leave the city (in three days’ time!). As it turned out, Calvin did find his way to Strasbourg, but not through the path he planned. Departing Geneva a defeated man, Calvin made way for Strasbourg. As Bruce Gordon described, Calvin “was mentally and physically shattered, disorientated and without emotional articulation.” (Gordon, Calvin [New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009], 85) He had “yet to find his pastoral voice” (Ibid.)
Nevertheless, Calvin was not being led away from pastoral ministry. Rather, he was learning precisely what it means to be a pastor: care for the flock, in every circumstance, and by all means possible and necessary, which is just what Calvin did. During his three years of exile, he maintained a close relationship through frequent correspondences with those he had grown to love in Geneva. Imagine that: Calvin was finally in the place he had so longed to live (i.e., Strasbourg) and yet he could not shake his calling to, and love for, his congregation in Geneva. As the situation in Geneva deteriorated from bad to worse, the city officials who had favored Calvin’s removal decided that his return was the only hope for establishing order to the city. As it turned out, Calvin’s upheaval from his pastoral office became the first step in founding his twenty-three year pastoral tenure in Geneva, from 1541 until his death in 1564.
Fourteen years after Calvin’s return to Geneva, we find some of his most articulated lessons on pastoral ministry. In the late spring and summer of 1555, Calvin preached a series of sermons on 2 Timothy. If he had yet to find his pastoral voice in 1538, by 1555 it was roaring. Not only was he shepherding the flock of God placed under his care, Calvin now had important insights for training and assisting other pastors.