Tag: Church History

Quotes to Note 35: Calvin’s Encouragement to a Backslider

~ Bob Hayton ~ 9 Comments

I just finished Renée of France (Bitsize Biographies) by Simonetta Carr (Evangelical Press, 2013). Renée was a duchess in the realm of Ferrara, a small country in what is today known as Italy. A long-time supporter of the Reformation, Renée had met John Calvin and corresponded with him throughout his life. In 1554, she was pressured to publicly rejoin the Catholic church, which she did after much resistance. In 1555, not knowing the certainty of what Renée had done, but fearing that she had capitulated temporarily to the pressure, John Calvin wrote a letter exhorting Renée not to allow her sinful “backsliding” to keep her down permanently. Calvin’s advice to Renée is pertinent to all of us who are “prone to wander.”

Besides, Madame, since our good God is always ready to receive us in his grace and, when we fall, holds out his hand that our falls may not be fatal, I entreat you to regain strength. If, through your weakness, the enemy has gotten this one time the better hand over you, may he not have the final victory, but may he know that those whom God has lifted again are doubly strengthened against any struggle.

Renée afterward returned to the Reformed faith, remaining faithful until death. May you be blessed by Calvin’s encouragement and continue to “press on” each day!

Reformation Book Giveaway

~ Bob Hayton ~ 6 Comments

The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort by William Boekestein     Inside the Reformation compiled by Mark Sengele

It has been a while since I hosted a book giveaway! This week I’d like to offer two books to my readers as a special Reformation Book Giveaway. Each of these books is suited for children, but would make a good addition to the reading list of many parents I know, too. I enjoyed reading through each book, especially after my recent “Survey of the Reformation” series I taught for our adult SS class.

The books to be won are: The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort by William Boekestein and Inside the Reformation compiled by Mark Sengele. You can read my reviews of each of these books by clicking on their titles (or pictures) above.

To enter the contest, simply fill out the Google Form below. Be sure to note the ways to earn additional entries to this contest. The contest runs through Monday night, Feb. 4.

Contest is now closed.

Congratulations to Chad S for winning the contest!

Reformation Gems 5: Wolfgang Musculus on Questioning God

~ Bob Hayton ~ 2 Comments

Reformation Gems are excerpts from selections contained in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture, a new commentary series from IVP which gathers the best Reformation-era comments on the text together all in one set. The volumes in this commentary series resurrect long-forgotten voices from the Reformation age and in so doing they recover the piety and vivacity of that era. I hope that by sharing some excerpts from this series, I will edify my readers and promote this important commentary series.
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Today’s selection comes from the Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Volume X (Galatians, Ephesians). Wolfgang Musculus, whom I’ve quoted before, made some observations about questioning God’s wisdom and God’s plan. Believers in every era grapple with questions about God’s fairness when it comes to the fate of those who never hear the gospel. People in today’s skeptical age are all the more eager, it seems, to question God’s actions and judgments or even doubt his very existence. Musculus displays a confident trust in the goodness of God and I think his comments are worth repeating for people in every age.

Here is the excerpt from Musculus’s work originally published in 1561 (with key sentences bolded for emphasis):

God Chose to Save People by the Preaching of the Gospel.

Wolfgang Musculus: Some people ask whether God could not call his elect by a secret and hidden breath of his Spirit, without uttering a word. My answer is that nobody doubts that he can. So in that case, why did he choose to use preaching? Because that is what he wanted to do. Because the world in its wisdom did not know God, he wanted to save believers by the foolishness of preaching. If you ask why he chose to give the law of the letter to his people at Mount Sinai, inscribed on tablets of stone, rather than put the law of the Spirit in their hearts, what better answer could be given to you than to say that that is what he wanted to do? If you want to call the will of God into question and think that he ought to explain it to you, ask the devil to be your judge, because he will side with you against God and you will appear to be wise and righteous with him while God is condemned for being stupid and unjust. This is my answer to those who ask what becomes of people who have not heard or who lived before the preaching of the gospel was spread throughout the world and think that it should not have been deliberately delayed until the last days. A godly and faithful person adores what God has said and done and does not get upset or call him into question. He gives glory to God’s wisdom and righteousness even when he does not understand why God has done things one way and not another…. (pg. 259-260)

About the Reformation-era author: Wolfgang Musculus (1497-1563). Viennese pastor, reformer and theologian. Musculus was an advocate and writer for the cause of reform, producing translations, biblical commentaries and an influential theological text, Loci communes sacrae theologiae (Commonplaces of Sacred Theology), outlining a Zwinglian theology. Musculus began to study theology while at a Benedictine monastery; he departed in 1527 and became secretary to Martin Bucer in Strausbourg. He was later installed as a pastor in Augsburg, eventually performing the first evangelical liturgy in the city’s cathedral. Though Musculus was active in the pursuit of the reform agenda, he was also concerned for ecumenism, participating in both the Wittenburg Concord (1536) and discussions between Lutherans and Catholics. (pg. 429-430)

Learn more about this commentary series at the Reformation Commentary page at IVPress.com, or check out this sampler (PDF). You can pick up a copy of Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Volume X (Galatians, Ephesians) at any of the following online retailers: Christianbook.com, Amazon, or direct from IVP. You may want to consider becoming a member with IVP and getting the entire series on a subscription discount of more than 40% per volume.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by IVP. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

Book Briefs: “The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort” by William Boekestein

~ Bob Hayton ~ 3 Comments

The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort by William Boekestein Once again William Boekestein has given us a fantastic book for children. The Glory of Grace: the Story of the Canons of Dort is his third book in a series from Reformation Heritage Books. Each book is illustrated by Evan Hughes and looks at the historical background to one of the confessional statements that make up the “all three titles. You won’t be disappointed.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Westminster Bookstore, Christianbook.com, Amazon, or direct from Reformation Heritage Books.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Reformation Heritage Books. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.

Book Briefs: “Inside the Reformation” compiled by Mark Sengele

~ Bob Hayton ~ 4 Comments

Having just concluded a ten week adult SS series on the Reformation, I was excited to get my hands on a new book that introduces children to the world of the Reformation. Inside the Reformation, compiled by Mark Sengele, is a beautifully produced, coffee-table quality book for kids. The pictures and illustrations are top-notch and will captivate young readers.

The book covers such topics as the Holy Roman Empire, world exploration, music, food and medicine in the middle ages, travel, art, architecture and more. Martin Luther is the focus of this work produced by Concordia Publishing House. Some space is devoted to Luther’s wife and other reformers such as Philip Melanchthon, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli. Important Reformation events such as Luther’s 95 Theses and the Diet of Worms, as well as significant documents, like the Augsburg Confession and the Book of Concord are also surveyed.

The book is a montage of assorted pictures and information, and no attempt is made to tell the full story of the Reformation, directly. Even so, the collection of engaging images and intriguing facts will spur readers to research further and inquire into the history of the Reformation for themselves. The detail and intricacy of some of the concepts covered in this book make it more suited for children in middle school and above.

This book would make a great resource for the child studying Reformation-era history. It would also serve as a useful addition to a homeschool curriculum covering Church history. I was quite impressed with the quality of the book and am very thankful that such high-quality resources are being made available for our children.

Pick up a copy of this book at any of the following online retailers: Christianbook.com, Amazon or direct from Concordia Publishing House.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Concordia Publishing House. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

About Book Briefs: Book Briefs are book notes, or short-form book reviews. They are my informed evaluation of a book, but stop short of being a full-length book review.