John Calvin on Missions and Evangelism

Having recently read Gage Browning’s posts on the life of John Calvin, I was intrigued to see that Reformation 21‘s latest e-zine issue included an article on Calvin and Missions.

I don’t think you need me to tell you that non-Calvinists repeatedly claim that Calvinism is a danger to evangelism and soul-winning. Many see Calvinism as encouraging theology to the neglect of practical things like evangelism. And the claim is made that Calvin’s teaching concerning predestination encourages a fatalistic approach to missions. “Since God has elected and predestined some to salvation, He does not need me to preach the gospel” the reasoning goes. So it is no surprise that many assume that Calvin did not emphasize the importance of evangelism. Indeed Calvinists like Spurgeon are considered a bizarre exception to the rule that Calvinism downplays evangelism.

Contrary to such popular notions, Calvin did not belittle evangelism. He gave his life to it. Geneva became a missionary center for the spread of the Reformed faith (salvation by grace through faith) throughout Europe and beyond. They even sent missionaries to Brazil in 1555!

I plan to provide a few quotes from Calvin below which illustrate his views on missions and evangelism, but let me first recommend some other articles. The Ref 21 article mentioned above is a must read. And this article by the Founders Journal is perhaps even clearer in defending Calvin from these ill founded charges. For further research, consult the following two articles by Cork Free Presbyterian Church in Cork, Ireland: Calvin the SoulWinner – What he said, and – What he did. Now to the quotes:

If we have any humanity in us, seeing men going to perdition, …ought we not be moved by pity, to rescue the poor souls from hell, and teach them the way of salvation?(from sermon 196 on Deut. 33:18-19; taken from Ref 21 article)

…nothing could be more inconsistent with the nature of faith than that deadness which would lead a man to disregard his brethren, and to keep the light of knowledge choked up within his own breast. (from commentary on Is. 2:3; taken from Ref 21 article)

When we know God to be our Father, should we not desire that he be known as such by all? And if we do not have this passion, that all creatures do him homage, is it not a sign that his glory means little to us?(from sermon 196 on Deut. 33:18-19; taken from Ref 21 article)

Since we do not know who belongs to the number of the predestined and who does not, it befits us so to feel as to wish that all be saved. So it will come about that, whoever we come across, we shall study to make him a sharer of peace . . . even severe rebuke will be administered like medicine, lest they should perish or cause others to perish. But it will be for God to make it effective in those whom He foreknew and predestined. (from Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God; taken from the Founders Journal article)

…there is no people and no rank in the world that is excluded from salvation; because God wishes that the gospel should be proclaimed to all without exception….[the Christian’s duty is] to be solicitous and to do our endeavor for the salvation of all whom God includes in his calling….[those people insult God] who, by their opinion, shut out any person from the hope of salvation. (from commentary on 1 Tim. 2:4-5; taken from the Founders Journal article)

God invites all indiscriminately to salvation through the Gospel, but the ingratitude of the world is the reason why this grace, which is equally offered to all, is enjoyed by few. (from commentary on the Synoptic Gospels; taken from the Cork Free Presbyterian Church article)

It is no small consolation to godly teachers that, although the larger part of the world does not listen to Christ, He has His sheep whom He knows and by whom He is also known. They must do their utmost to bring the whole world into Christ’s fold, but when they do not succeed as they would wish, they must be satisfied with the single thought that those who are sheep will be collected together by their work. (from commentary on John 10:27; taken from Cork FPC article)

Thus we may see what St. Paul’s meaning is when he saith, God will have His grace made known to all the world, and His gospel preached to all creatures. Therefore, we must endeavour, as much as possible, to persuade those who are strangers to the faith, and seem to be utterly deprived of the goodness of God, to accept of salvation. Jesus Christ is not only a Saviour of few, but He offereth Himself to all. As often as the gospel is preached to us, we ought to consider that God calleth us to Him: and if we attend to this call, it shall not be in vain, neither shall it be lost labour…”Therefore, we may be so much the more assured that God taketh and holdeth us for His children, if we endeavour to bring those to Him who are afar off. Let us comfort ourselves, and take courage in this our calling: although there be at this day a great forlornness, though we seem to be miserable creatures, utterly cast away and condemned, yet we must labour as much as possible to draw those to salvation who seem to be afar off. And above all things, let us pray to God for them, waiting patiently till it please Him to show His good will toward them, as He hath shown it to us. (from sermon on 1 Timothy 2:3-5; taken from the Cork FPC article)

If the gospel be not preached, Jesus Christ is, as it were, buried.Therefore, let us stand as witnesses, and do Him this honour, when we see all the world so far out of the way; and remain steadfast in this wholesome doctrine…Let us here observe that St. Paul condemns our unthankfulness, if we be so unfaithful to God, as not to bear witness of His gospel; seeing He hath called us to it.” (from sermon on 2 Timothy 1:8-9; taken from the Cork FPC article)

It is enough for us to bear this only in mind, that the gospel does not fall like rain from the clouds, but is brought by the hands of men wherever it is sent from above… But hence we also learn how much ought all good men to desire, and how much they ought to value the preaching of the gospel, which is thus commended to us by the mouth of the Lord himself. (from commentary on Romans 10:14; taken from the Cork FPC article)

…we are called by the Lord on this condition, that every one should afterwards strive to lead others to the truth, to restore the wandering to the right way, to extend a helping hand to the fallen, to win over those who are without…. (from commentary on Hebrews 10:25; taken from the Cork FPC article)

…the principle thing we have to look to is to teach the ignorant and to show them the way of salvation. (from a sermon on Ephesians 4:29-30; taken from the Cork FPC article)

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7