John Calvin 500 - the Review Reviewed

The 'review' of Calvin 500 from the 'pen' of Trevor Kirkland published in the English Churchman (1st and 8th June edition) is not surprising.  I notice that he deliberately omits any encouragement to read Calvin's sermons.  I wonder why?  His language is intemperate, prejudiced and in no way irenic in spirit.  You would think he was writing about the greatest enemy the Christian faith has.  He obviously does not realise that Amyraldianism holds an honoured position within our Reformed heritage.

His surprise at the mention of Dort, Twisse, Calamy, etc is indicative of unmasked prejudice if not ignorance.  The Owenite magisterium certainly has got a tight grip on his mind, just as it has within Roman Catholicism.  

"Amyraldianism" has been regarded as a 'theological swearword' by theological extremists and, according to Trevor, this pertains right up to this day.  The hatred for the name is so deeply ingrained that it is doubtful whether or not these men are capable of objective study and thought.  They are convinced that loyalty to a system is what marks out a truly reformed 'thinker.'  Prejudice reduces the capacity for rational thought, and there is plenty of that here.  The fact is that his stance cannot be supported from either Scripture or from Calvin or DMLJ.  They are heart scared to depart from or even question Westminster theology in case they are lead by what Schaeffer called 'true truth.'  That would never do.  To paraphrase, we must never allow Scripture to get in the way of a good theology!

As I say, no disappointment here.  I just hope that the readers will consult the primary Calvin sources and read them for themselves, and not least his sermons.  I think the reviewer was present at the Northern Ireland Puritan and Reformed conference when Rev. Dr Iain D. Campbell said that if you want to get to know what a man really believes, read his sermons.  Obviously he does not accept this dictum and prefers reliance upon dogma to any attempt to search the primary sources and look dispassionately at the data that is presented for all to see.