John Calvin Quotes

“no one can be an effective pastor (whether in a small church or in a congregation of thousands) without self-sacrifice.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“In his writings and sermons (from both the Old Testament and the New), Calvin stressed the biblical theme of the worldwide extension of Christ’s reign and challenged Christian people to spread zealously the gospel message.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“Calvin noted the three vices that especially tempt pastors—sloth, desire for gain, and lust for power”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“Enemies to God’s truth are to be found within as well as outside the church. “There is no plague more destructive to the Church than when wolves go about under the mask of shepherds,” Calvin wrote.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“Sins requiring church discipline included forbidden sexual activity, unfair economic practices, and personal conflicts involving quarrels and slander. Calvin wrote voluminously on many of these topics, including sex, marriage, and family.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“In preaching, Calvin attempted to declare truly and faithfully whatever the Bible set forth in the passage before him, while emphasizing and exalting its central message of God’s grace in Christ.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“Christians need human direction in prayer and human leadership in worship; they need human instruction and example in how to live their vocations and bear their trials. They need these from one another and owe them to one another.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“Elders (men “who fear God and possess the gift of spiritual prudence”) were “to watch over the life of each person,” to admonish “in a friendly manner” those at fault, and when necessary, to bring them to the Company of Pastors where they would receive “fraternal discipline.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“They alone are good shepherds who lead men straight to Christ,”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“No one will ever be a good teacher, if he does not show that he himself is teachable, and always ready to learn.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation

“This God guides our lives and provides for our needs. As Calvin said in speaking of our knowledge of God’s providence, “Gratitude of mind for the favorable outcome of things, patience in adversity, and also incredible freedom from worry about the future all necessarily follow upon this knowledge.”
― Derek Thomas, John Calvin: For a New Reformation