Sermons on the Saving Work of Christ

by John Calvin, Leroy Nixon (Translator)

Calvin clarifies the basics of our Christian faith with expositions typically rich, practical, and direct. The translation is literal--staying true to Calvin's native expression and retaining the spirit of the great Genevan Reformer. As these sermons met the heart hunger of the refugees in Geneva, so, today, they will meet the personal needs of God's people for sound, biblical doctrine. The key introductory message is from John 1:1-5 on Christ's deity, with following expositions on the nativity of Christ (Luke 2:1-14), the passion of Christ (8 sermons), the resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28:1-10), the ascension of Christ (4 sermons), the day of Pentecost (4 sermons), and the second coming of our Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). Though Calvin did not follow the Church year in his preaching, translator Leroy Nixon arranged these select messages to conveniently follow the Christian calendar--providing study, teaching, and preaching resources for Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost Sunday

Genres: Theology

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

French-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536).

The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.

* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)

Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.

After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.

Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.

Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.

Reviews

[Nolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is much to appreciate in these collected sermons. Calvin seeks to balance the convictions and comforts at the heart of the Christian faith. What I don't appreciate, however, is the translation and the editorial decisions; they seem somewhat outdated and do not do justice to Calvin's prose, as other translators have done.

[Gabriel Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of sermons from one of the greatest preacher and exegete ever!