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Andrew Buckler, Jean Calvin et la mission de l’église, preface by Jean-François Zorn, Lyon: Editions Olivétan 2009. 248 p., isbn 978-2-35479-048-6, price € 20.00.

Andrew Buckler, Jean Calvin et la mission de l’église, preface by Jean-François Zorn, Lyon:... 296 Book Reviews / Exchange 39 (2010) 285-302 Andrew Buckler, Jean Calvin et la mission de l’église , preface by Jean-François Zorn, Lyon: Editions Olivétan 2009. 248 p., isbn 978-2-35479-048-6, price € 20.00. In 2009, the year of Calvin, many authors in various countries underlined the significance of Calvin as a Reformed thinker, exegete and church leader. However, insufficient light was shed on the missionary aspect of his work, because in his own days Calvin did not provide the new impetus to the worldwide missionary movement that 19th century Prot- estant thinkers gave. Nonetheless Andrew Buckler shows that the verb ‘to send’ as well as the word ‘mission’ play a central role in Calvin’s texts. Calvin’s initiative to organize mis- sion in Brazil from Geneva is well-known, though its success had only a temporary char- acter, but Buckler pays merely oblique attention to this circumstance. The author begins with the sermons Calvin delivered in Geneva in 1555-1564. He then focuses on Calvin’s Bible commentaries, his main opus, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, and the series of letters he sent to European authorities. In this period Calvin succeeded in transforming the ecclesial congregation of Geneva into a close and attractive community, which also functioned as an operating base. Theological education in Geneva was meant to train theologians who would be sent abroad. Many French refugees returned to France after their stay in Geneva. The main objective of Calvin was to lead his father- land to the Reformed faith, though developments elsewhere received his attention as well. With regard to mission Calvin emphasizes the education and sending of ministers, though he also regarded his Bible commentaries as mission work. He attempted to influ- ence the European elite through his Latin publication, The Institutes, whereas his sermons and Bible commentaries, which are written a magnificent and clear French style were meant to exert impact on the public. He addressed his letters to ecclesial authorities and political leaders appealing them to contribute to the progress of the true religion within the borders of their countries. However, he saw that persecutions gradually increased in France, but this did not restrain him in continuing his sending of ministers and of press- ing-letters in which he admonished the authorities. Calvin did not regard the minister as his main missionary instrument but the congregation. The congregation did not have to attach much importance to its own survival. On the contrary, it had to be prepared to divide and distribute itself to other regions. The survival and growth of the church is not its main objective. The most important purpose of the church is to be a sign of the King- dom of Christ during the time between Christ’s Ascension and his Second Coming (p. 77). In my view the author has succeeded in shedding new light on the significance of Calvin as a thinker, teacher, exegete of the Scriptures and church leader. Perhaps the author can also publish an English version of his book, since he is actually an English Pas- tor working for the French Reformed Church in France. — Jaap van Slageren, Zwolle, The Netherlands. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010 DOI: 10.1163/157254310X517522 http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Exchange Brill

Andrew Buckler, Jean Calvin et la mission de l’église, preface by Jean-François Zorn, Lyon: Editions Olivétan 2009. 248 p., isbn 978-2-35479-048-6, price € 20.00.

van Slageren, Jaap
Exchange , Volume 39 (3): 296 – Jan 1, 2010
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Publisher
Brill
Copyright
© 2010 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
0166-2740
eISSN
1572-543X
DOI
10.1163/157254310X517522
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

296 Book Reviews / Exchange 39 (2010) 285-302 Andrew Buckler, Jean Calvin et la mission de l’église , preface by Jean-François Zorn, Lyon: Editions Olivétan 2009. 248 p., isbn 978-2-35479-048-6, price € 20.00. In 2009, the year of Calvin, many authors in various countries underlined the significance of Calvin as a Reformed thinker, exegete and church leader. However, insufficient light was shed on the missionary aspect of his work, because in his own days Calvin did not provide the new impetus to the worldwide missionary movement that 19th century Prot- estant thinkers gave. Nonetheless Andrew Buckler shows that the verb ‘to send’ as well as the word ‘mission’ play a central role in Calvin’s texts. Calvin’s initiative to organize mis- sion in Brazil from Geneva is well-known, though its success had only a temporary char- acter, but Buckler pays merely oblique attention to this circumstance. The author begins with the sermons Calvin delivered in Geneva in 1555-1564. He then focuses on Calvin’s Bible commentaries, his main opus, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, and the series of letters he sent to European authorities. In this period Calvin succeeded in transforming the ecclesial congregation of Geneva into a close and attractive community, which also functioned as an operating base. Theological education in Geneva was meant to train theologians who would be sent abroad. Many French refugees returned to France after their stay in Geneva. The main objective of Calvin was to lead his father- land to the Reformed faith, though developments elsewhere received his attention as well. With regard to mission Calvin emphasizes the education and sending of ministers, though he also regarded his Bible commentaries as mission work. He attempted to influ- ence the European elite through his Latin publication, The Institutes, whereas his sermons and Bible commentaries, which are written a magnificent and clear French style were meant to exert impact on the public. He addressed his letters to ecclesial authorities and political leaders appealing them to contribute to the progress of the true religion within the borders of their countries. However, he saw that persecutions gradually increased in France, but this did not restrain him in continuing his sending of ministers and of press- ing-letters in which he admonished the authorities. Calvin did not regard the minister as his main missionary instrument but the congregation. The congregation did not have to attach much importance to its own survival. On the contrary, it had to be prepared to divide and distribute itself to other regions. The survival and growth of the church is not its main objective. The most important purpose of the church is to be a sign of the King- dom of Christ during the time between Christ’s Ascension and his Second Coming (p. 77). In my view the author has succeeded in shedding new light on the significance of Calvin as a thinker, teacher, exegete of the Scriptures and church leader. Perhaps the author can also publish an English version of his book, since he is actually an English Pas- tor working for the French Reformed Church in France. — Jaap van Slageren, Zwolle, The Netherlands. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010 DOI: 10.1163/157254310X517522

Journal

Exchange – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 2010

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