Happy 500th Birthday John Calvin

1958-2009


In 500 years will anyone be celebrating the birth of Michael Jackson? Will anyone note his great influence on culture and nations and the cause of the gospel? Will anyone still be singing "Beat It" or moonwalking? I can't say for sure but my money will still be on Calvin. Today all over the world many will be celebrating the birth of the great Reformer John Calvin who was born July 10, 1509. To grasp the impact of the entire Reformation Michael Horton has this article on the 5 Sola's of the Reformation.

Probably one of the most ill-informed accusations ever said about Calvin is that his views kill evangelism and missions. Yet listen to these excerpts from an article by Ray Van Neste

Perhaps the best evidence of Calvin's concern for missions is the mission activity of the Genevan church under his leadership. Under Calvin's leadership, Geneva became "the hub of a vast missionary enterprise"[14] and "a dynamic center or nucleus from which the vital missionary energy it generated radiated out into the world beyond."[15] Protestant refugees from all over Europe fled to Geneva; they came not merely for safety but also to learn from Calvin the doctrines of the Reformation so they could return home to spread the true gospel.

In one year, 1561, though the Register mentions only twelve missionaries, other sources indicate that at least 142 missionaries were sent![21] Hundreds of men were sent out, reaching Italy, Germany, Scotland, England, and practically covering France.[.


In addition to the extensive work in Europe, one group of Genevan missionaries was sent to Brazil. The Register simply states that on Tuesday, August 25, 1556, M. Pierre Richier and M. Guillaume were sent as ministers to Brazil.

Soli Deo Gloria- To God Alone Be the Glory