David Mathis - With Calvin in the theater of God : the glory of Christ and everyday life

From the recent flurry of studies on John Calvin, it is evident that we can under stand neither the sixteenth century nor our own times without reference to the Reformer of Geneva. This little book reveals Calvin to be a God-saturated theo logian whose love for Jesus Christ and his church touches every area of human life. A jewel of a book! Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School; general editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture In a culture that applauds self-glory, and in a church that often appears to have forgotten its Christ, the work of John Calvin is as timely as when it was first penned. This wonderful book invites you into a theater of power, wisdom, author ity, and grace, but it is not Calvins theater; it is the theater of the glory of God in Christ. Here you will be thankful for the man Calvin and how he enables you to see life-shaping truths, but you will be even more thankful for Calvins Christ. For as is true of Calvin, is true of every follower of Jesus, the faint glory of the man is only as good as it humbly and relentlessly points you to the spectacular glory of his Lord.

Which is, in fact, the lasting legacy of the man this book remembers. Paul Tripp, President, Paul Tripp Ministries; author, What Did YouExpect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage Contemporary interest in John Calvin and his writings has stimulated a wide spread renewal in Reform theology and with it has created considerable con troversy regarding stereotypical perceptions of Calvinism. Speakers at the 2009 Desiring God National Conference made a significant contribution to these issues by focusing on practical aspects of John Calvins life and writings. These mes sages, edited by David Mathis and John Piper in With Calvin in the Theater ofGod, will be a blessing and encouragement to the reader in discovering an often neglected aspect of this influential theologian. Jerry Rankin, President, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention Sadly, for many Christians John Calvin has become more of a theological carica ture than the real-life man of passion, reason, and pastoral concerns that he was. Larry Osborne, Pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, CA These distinguished contributors do not seek to exalt John Calvin. Larry Osborne, Pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, CA These distinguished contributors do not seek to exalt John Calvin.

But they rightly recognize that Calvins ministry helps us exalt Jesus Christ. Follow them into the theater of God and behold the glory of the One and Only. Collin Hansen, editor at large, Christianity Today; author, Young,Restless, Reformed: A Journalists Journey with the New Calvinists WithCalvinTheaterGod.14128.i04.indd 1 8/19/10 9:48 AM In an age where Scripture is on the periphery in so many pulpits and man is glori fied in so many churches, we desperately need this book. It reminds us not only of the great life and work of John Calvin, but most importantly the supremacy of the Scriptures and the glory of God. Britt Merrick, Lead Pastor, Reality Carpinteria/Ventura What does a theologian and his theology look like if he and it are firmly centered on the triune God and his glory? These essays will show you. You will meet Calvin the pastor, the theologian, the polemicist, the husband, the father, the sufferer, the lover of God and his churchall roles played out in the theater of God.

Whether youre meeting Calvin for the first time or spending time with an old friend, this book will give you a glimpse of the wide horizons that are opened to one who has Gods glory firmly at the center of life. Be warned, Calvins vision is contagious. Stephen J. Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and Culture, Lancaster Bible College The authors of With Calvin in the Theater of God present us with a world changing vision of Gods glory that has profound ramifications for the practical realities of everyday life. Here we find proof again of that old axiom, There isnothing more practical than sound theology. I highly recommend it! Steven L. Childers, President and CEO, Global Church Advancement; Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL With Calvin in the Theater of God takes Calvin out of the ivory towers that many people mistakenly believe he lived in and shows how his robust theology played out in the practical life of a pastor attempting to care for his people.

It shows how his belief in the sovereignty of God allowed him to suffer often, and suffer well, throughout his life. It shows how his hope in heaven allowed him to deal with the relentless stress and pressures of leadership. But most of all, this book shows what God can do through one man whos eyes are fixed, not on what we can see, but what we cant see, the things that are eternal. It inspired me to do the same as a pastor, husband, father, and man. Jason Strand, Teaching Pastor, Eagle Brook Church, Lino Lakes, MN No theologian, living or dead, has been more influential in my ministry than John Calvin. Reading With Calvin in the Theater of God reminded me why.

Each essay contributed something helpful both to my understanding of Calvins life and ministry and to my affection for the Savior that Calvin relentlessly served. Whether youre a long-time student of Calvin or brand new to the Reformed universe, I highly recommend this book. R. W. Glenn, Pastor of Preaching and Vision, Redeemer Bible Church, Minnetonka, MN WithCalvinTheaterGod.14128.i04.indd 2 8/19/10 9:48 AM As a church planter in New Orleans, I am continuously confronted by the destruction of this worlds depravity. My primary counter-attack is to present a biblical vision of the glory of God in Christ.

John Piper and my good friend David Mathis have compiled an amazing work displaying Calvins biblical vision of Gods redemptive glory. Rob Wilton, Lead Pastor, Vintage Church, New Orleans, LA For a generation of Calvinists who seem to know little about Calvin himself, this is a timely book. By taking us straight to the heart of Calvins everyday life and ministry, the authors introduce us to Calvin the pastor and expose us to the daily grind of his pastoral work and personal suffering that shaped and informed his teaching and writing. Calvins voice can be heard throughout the book, exhort ing us to live our lives with one foot raised, ready for the day God wills our departure from this world. This book left me with a hunger to taste and trust God more, and in the end, truly honors Calvin by pushing our thoughts and worship past him and to the true hero of Gods theater and Calvins ministry, Jesus Christ. Beau Hughes, Campus Pastor, The Village Church, Denton, TX As a young pastor with less than a decade of experience, I desperately need the wisdom of faithful pastors who have gone before us.

I have found in these pages much needed, refreshing, and challenging insights for the daily grind of minis try life. Lest we forget the divine glory that is shot through this grand stage, Calvinthrough his life and his writingspulls back the veil of seeming routine to reveal it once again in all its splendor. And the authors of this brief volume you hold in your hands serve as worthy guides and fellow stage-hands with the old master in the theater of God. Read on, and behold againin all thingsGods radiant glory. Matthew Molesky, Pastor for Preaching, Calvary Community Church, St. Cloud, MN In this book you will meet John Calvin the pastor, apologist, evangelist, church planter, Bible teacher, theologian, and pilgrim.

The version of Calvin you get from his enemies, and sadly even from some who claim to be his friends, is a hammer-headed, abstract bore. The real Calvin, and the theology he proclaimed, is the opposite. His life and ministry reflect the clearest message of Jesus and the deepest message of the Biblethe grace of God to sinners, for the glory of God.