Calvin on the Church (1)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… Ephesians 4.11, 12
“Our true completeness and perfection consist in our being united in the one body of Christ. No language more highly commendatory of the ministry of the word could have been employed, than to ascribe to it this effect. What is more excellent than to produce the true and complete perfection of the church?”
- John Calvin, Commentary on Ephesians 4.11, 12
We turn now to explore the teaching of one of the great Protestant Reformers of the 16th century as he unpacks the Scripture concerning the nature and purpose of the Church, and of the Lord’s design in building His Body in unity and maturity.
Calvin was pressed into service as minister of one of Geneva’s city churches in 1536. He would have preferred to move on to Basel and a life of study, but William Farel, Geneva’s interim pastor, proved most persuasive in convincing Calvin to stay in Geneva and serve the flock of the Lord there.
Calvin’s first stint among the recently reformed Genevans ended in his being cashiered and exiled to Strasbourg, where, under the tutelage of Martin Bucer, Calvin began to learn the art of ministry. Returning to Geneva in 1541, he resumed the post from which he had been discharged and began what would be more than 20 years of fruitful ministry.
Book IV of The Institutes of the Christian Religion is Calvin’s attempt to present what he learned from Scripture and practice concerning how to build the Church, following the Lord’s blueprint and agenda. The 30 readings that follow will provide many opportunities to reflect on our work as shepherds of the flocks of the Lord.
Resources for being and making disciples
Pastor to Pastor Podcast: A true shepherd must be like the Good Shepherd—meek, lowly, gentle, and a servant of all. Jesse Slusher talks about what he has learned about humility from more than 40 years of ministry in the same church. Click the tab at the top of this installment of Pastor to Pastor to listen in.
Other columns of interest: This week: In our ReVision column we wrap-up our discussion of the spiritual dimension of “Everyday Christianity” and begin learning how to know the Presence of the Lord. Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from The Disciplined Life. Our Crosfigell teaching letter begins a new series on a profoundly Biblical work by Colum Cille, the great 6th-century founder of the Iona community. The InVerse Theology podcast features part 6 of our series on drift and disunity in the Christian movement. And in our daily Scriptorium column we examine the second half of Colossians 1. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
The Ailbe Bookstore: We are currently holding a clearance sale on select volumes in The Ailbe Bookstore. Everything must go, and we’re offering all our selections for the cost of shipping only.
Resources for Shepherds: This fall The Fellowship of Ailbe will offer six study opportunities for men of the church. Meeting for one hour, every other week, these groups can enrich your walk with and work for the Lord and lead you to discover some new friends:
The Lewis Group—T. M. Moore and Charlie Hammett:
Surprised by Joy (order from your preferred bookseller)
The Edwards Group—T. M. Moore and Dick Wilder (all readings supplied at no charge):
“The Christian Pilgrim”
“The Preciousness of Time”
“A Divine and Supernatural Light”
Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God
Praying with the Psalms (continued)—T. M. Moore and David Timbie (free PDF here, or free book here)
David Timbie and T. M. Moore, Praying with the Psalms
The Writers’ Group (continued)—T. M. Moore:
Corey Latta, C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing (order a copy from your preferred bookseller)
The Men’s Study—T. M. Moore (resources provided at no charge):
T. M. Moore, Strong Souls: The Inside-Out Secret of the Christian Life
Christian Classics for Discipleship—T. M. Moore
J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism (provided in free PDF)
The complete schedule and a registration form is available at our website. I hope to see many of you in one or more of our studies.
From the Celtic Revival
Spiritual Poetry of the Celtic Revival: The Mind of Christ
I wish, O Son of the Living God, ancient eternal King,
for a secret hut in the wilderness, that it may be my dwelling.
A very blue shallow well to be beside it,
a clear pool for washing away sins through the grace of the Holy Spirit…
A few sage disciples,
I will tell their number,
humbled and obedient to pray to the King…
My fill of clothing and of food from the King of good fame,
and for me to be sitting for a while praying to God in every place. – Anonymous, “The Wish of Manchán of Liath”, Irish, 10th centuryDelight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
– Psalm 37.4
People never grow tired of wishing for things. They wish their kids would obey. They wish they’d get a promotion or a raise. They wish they had more time to do the things they’ve never gotten around to. They wish they didn’t do so many dumb things, could get a little more respect, or that that guy in the office would just shut up.
A wish expresses the disposition of the heart. Since wishes are a function of the imagination, they reveal something of the unseen vision that directs our souls. Wishes can create in us a sense of anticipation or excitement, especially when it seems they might come true. They can also flood the soul with ennui, resentment, and even anger when we sense we’re never going to get what we really want.
The psalmist teaches us how to realize all the most fervent wishes and desires of our heart: Delight yourself in the Lord. See the Lord Jesus, exalted in glory, as the most beautiful, most admirable, most awesome and inspiring, most loving and strong, and most thrilling and glorious of all things. See Him like John did in Revelation 1, or the apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration. Be amazed at His great beauty and strength, His infinite wisdom and goodness, His with-you-always faithfulness. Look intently at Jesus, and consider Him from every angle, until your joy in Him increases, and you delight in nothing more than to see Jesus in His glory.
You can read this installment in our series on Celtic spiritual poetry by clicking here.
Subscribe to Crosfigell and every Tuesday and Thursday receive insights and teaching from the Celtic Revival. Scroll to the bottom of the home page, www.ailbe.org to sign up.
Resources from the Celtic Revival: Columbanus
The great saints of the Celtic Revival (ca. 430-800) call us to keep our focus on Jesus. Our book, Be Thou My Vision, provides insights and encouragement on seeing Jesus daily. Order your free copy by clicking here.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this issue of Pastor to Pastor helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Support for Pastor to Pastor comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
