Word&WorldVolumeXXI,Number3 Summer2001 JohnCalvinonPreachingtheLaw STEPHENW.RAMP “LetusrememberthatwearefullofnothingbutshitandcorruptionuntilGodpurgesus.” Calvin’sSermononChristmasDay,1551OMELUTHERANSWORRYTHATCALVIN’SFAILURETODISTINGUISHLAWANDgospelunderminesjustificationbyfaith,promisesthefreedomoftheChristian,andeffectivelyturnsthegospelintoanewmoralism.Conversely,someCalvinistsworrythatLuther’sdualisticapproacheffectivelypitslawagainstgospel,OldCovenantagainstNewCovenant,JewagainstChristian,GodagainstGod,andturnsfaithintoatrustrelationshipwithoutthepassofGod’seternallaw.Thesepolemicsscoredebatingpointsbutmissplexity,depth,andsophisticationofLuther’sandCalvin’stheologicalreflectionsonthelaw.WithdeepappreciationforthestrengthsoftheLutheranandReformedpositions,thisarticleoffersasympatheticsummaryofCalvin’susesofthelawasapreacher.
I.COMMONGROUNDThepopularnotionthatLutherandCalvinhelddiametricallyopposedviewsofthelawissimplywrong.Whilesignificantdifferencesexist,Calvin’ssermons—hisoperationaltheology—frequentlydisplayadeepaffinitywithLuther’sposition.WhenCalvinspeaksofthebarelaw(nudalex),asopposedtothewholelawortheentirelaw,hisviewspletelysympatheticwithLuther’s.Thebare LikeLuther,JohnCalvinheldapessimisticviewofhumannatureapartfrom Christ.Humansfall,therefore,underthecondemnationofGod’slaw.UnlikeLuther,Calvinsawapedagogicaluseofthelaw,toillumineandmotivatebelieversinwell-doing. 262Copyright©2001byWord&World,LutherSeminary,SaintPaul,Minnesota.Allrightsreserved. JohnCalvinonPreachingtheLaw lawonlyuses,vexestheconscience,andisalwaysantitheticaltothegospel.“[T]hegospelpromisesarefreeanddependentsolelyuponGod’smercy,whilethepromisesofthelawdependupontheconditionofworks.”1ForLutherandCalvin,theimpossibilityofsatisfyingthelaw’sdemandsdestroysErasmus’sargumentforfreewillanditsoptimisticbeliefthathumanitycontributesslightlytowardsitsownsalvation.Inhisbones—andinhispreaching—CalvinembracesLuther’sdialecticalviewpoint:apartfromfaithinChrist,thelawhumiliatesandcondemns,establishinguniversalguilt,vindicatingGod’srighteousjudgmentagainsthumanity,andleavingnoonewithcauseplain. CalvinfeltpreachersshouldterrifysinnerswiththreatsofGod’seternalwrathaswellasconsoletheelectwiththereliefofGod’smercy,rescue,andpeace.Homiletically,CalvinandLutherwereofonemindontheusing,damning,punitivenatureanduseofthelaw. II.CALVIN’STHEOLOGICALPRESUPPOSITIONSREGARDINGTHELAW Ifthebarelawcondemns,thewholelaw,orthemorallaw,blessesandguidesChristians.TheenduringvalueofthemorallawreflectsCalvin’scovenanttheology,hisphilosophicalunderstandingofnaturallaw,hisviewofScriptureandprogressiverevelation,andhisthoroughlypessimisticappraisalofhumannature.TohelporientthereadertoCalvin’stheologicalagenda,IwillpresentaseriesofpropositionsthatundergirdCalvin’shomileticalusesofthelaw. Calvin’ssermonsfocusonthesovereignty,holiness,andrighteousnessofGodandonthesinfulnatureofhumanity.WhateverGoddoesisgood;whateverhumansdoisbad.ThelawisagoodthingbecauseitisagiftrevealingthemindofGodandthewayofperfection.Thereasonthelawcondemnsisnotduetoanydefectinthelawbuttoflesh’sinabilitytoobservethelaw.Theoretically,thelawoffersapathtosalvation.ordingtoonescholar,agreathypothetical“if”undergirdsCalvin’sviewofthelaw: Godshowsusinhislawhowwecouldandshouldarriveatlifeifournatureweresuchthattherewasnothingtoimpedeus....Iftheintegrityofournaturehadremainedpure,thelawwouldnotbringdeathonus,noropposethemanwhoisofasoundmindandwhoshrinksfromsin....Ifourwillpletelyconformedposedtoobediencetothelaw,itsknowledgealonewouldsufficetogainsalvation.2 God,beingperfect,neithererrsnorchanges.God’sgiftofthelawwasnotamistakebutaneternalblessing.Calvin’sprincipalopponentwastheAnabaptists’penchanttotreatallthingsJewishasirrelevantorbad.ThiseffectivelyeliminatedthewitnessoftheOldTestament;worse,itmadeGodfickleandinconstant.Foremost 1JohnCalvin,InstitutesoftheChristianReligion,ed.JohnT.McNeill,trans.FordLewisBattles,vol.20ofTheLibraryofChristianClassics(Philadelphia:Westminster,1960)3.11.17. 2I.JohnHesselink,Calvin’sConceptoftheLaw(AllisonPark,PA:Pickwick,1992)200. 263 Ramp forCalvinaretheholiness,majesty,andconstancyofGod.3CalvinridiculedtheAnabaptistsforregarding“theIsraelitesasnothingbutaherdofswine...withoutanyhopeofheavenlyimmortality.”4Thisviewnotonlydistortsthebiblicalwitness,whichaboundswithGod’sgracetowardstheJews,itrendersGoddoubleminded.“[T]hatthereexistsadifferentruleoflife[forChristians]withrespecttothemorallaw—asitiscalled—thanthepeopleofoldhadisafalseopinion.”5InhisTreatisesagainsttheAnabaptistsandagainsttheLibertines,Calvinwrote: WeworshipthesameGodthatthefathersofolddid.Wehavethesamelawandrulethattheyhad,showingushowtogovernourselvesinordertowalkrightlybeforeGod.ItthusfollowsthatavocationthatwasconsideredholyandlawfulthencannotbeforbiddenChristianstoday,foravocationistheprincipalpartofhumanlifeandthepartthatmeansthemosttoGod.Fromwhichitfollowsthatweshouldnotdenyourselvesthevocationofciviljustice,nordriveitoutsidetheChristianchurch.ForourLordhasordaineditandapproveditasgoodforthepeopleofIsrael.AndHehasappointedHismostexcellentservantstoitandevenHisprophets.6 Lawandgospelarehistoricalmanifestationsofasinglecovenantofgrace.ForCalvin,thereisoneGod,onecovenantofsalvation,andJesusChrististheheartandsoulofitfromthebeginningandalways.Themorallaw,mediatedthroughIsrael,continuesandconstitutesapermanentrevelationoftheunchangingwillofGod.“ThewillofGodistheoriginandfoundationofthelaw.HencetoregardthelawlightlyistorefusetotakeGodseriously.”7Lawandgospel,attheircore,reflectasingle“covenantthat[God]onceestablishedaseternalandneverperishing.Itsfulfillment,bywhichitisfinallyconfirmedandratified,isChrist.”8AgainstthoseclaimingthattheOldCovenantwassuperseded,Calvinthundered,“Thecovenantmadewithallthepatriarchsissomuchlikeoursinsubstanceandrealitythatthetwoareactuallyoneandthesame.Yettheydifferinthemodeofdispensation.”
9 ThecivillawsandtheceremoniallawsoftheOldTestamentweregivenuniquelytoIsraelandnolongerapply.TheTenCommandmentsreflectthemorallaw,whichisuniversal.ThemorallawissummarizedintheTenCommandmentsandinJesus’mandmentstoloveGodandloveneighbor.Thesetwopillars,worshipandlove,restonnaturallaworauniversalprincipleofequity,which,inturn,reveals 3“Thus,God’sconstancyshinesforthinthefactthathetaughtthesamedoctrinetoallages,andhascontinuedtorequirethesameworshipofhisnamethatheenjoinedfromthebeginning.Inthefactthathehaschangedtheoutwardformandmanner,hedoesnotshowhimselfsubjecttochange.Rather,hehasmodatedhimselftomen’scapacity,whichisvariedandchangeable”(Institutes,2.11.13). 4Institutes,2.10.1.5Calvin,TreatisesagainsttheAnabaptistsandagainsttheLibertines,trans.anded.BenjaminFarley(GrandRapids:Baker,1982)77.6Ibid.,78.7Hesselink,Calvin’sConcept,19.8Institutes,2.11.4.9Institutes,2.10.2. 264 JohnCalvinonPreachingtheLaw thecharacterandwillofGod.Therefore,themorallaw(requiringperfectworshipandperfectlove)iseternalandunchanging. Christdidnotabolishthelaw;rather,Christistheheart,soul,andfulfillmentofthelaw.The“gospeldidnotsosupplanttheentirelawastobringforwardadifferentwayofsalvation.Rather,itconfirmedandsatisfiedwhateverthelawhadpromised,andgavesubstancetotheshadows.”10HereweseetheimportanceofCalvin’sdistinctionbetweenthebarelawandthewholelaw:“wherethewholelawisconcerned,thegospeldiffersfromitonlyinclarityofmanifestation.”11 ThelawteachestheelecthowtoliveasChrist’sdisciples.Godelectsandadoptssometobesparedhiswrath.TheelectarejustifiedsolelyonthebasisofGod’sdecision.Theelectalsobeginalife-longprocess—“struggle”wouldbemoredescriptive—ofsanctificationtopurgetheirsinfulnatureandtoembodyandembracethemorallaw(perfectworship,perfectlove).Calvinisoftenmisconstruedatthispoint.Sometimeshislanguagesuggeststhatjustificationisconditionaluponone’sobediencetothelaw,muchlikepayingduesenablesonetoremainamemberingoodstanding.ButthisisnotCalvin’spoint.Calvinismuchmorepessimisticabouthumannaturethanhiscriticsrealize.Forbelievers,thelawservesas“awhiptoanidleass.”Godelectsaremnantwhotrulyesetapartinmoralsandmannersovertimefromthereprobate.Thelifeoftheelectwillbearsomefruit.ThefruitisnotrequiredbyGodasaconditionprecedentorsubsequent.Itisasign,evidence,ifyouwill,thatyouareinfactGod’select.Itisn’taboutworks.It’saboutGod.Howdoyouknowifyouareadopted?
Checkyourheart.Checkyourbehavior.DoyoudelightinkeepingthelawoftheLord?
Doesitdeeplygrieveyouwhenyoufail?
III.CALVIN’STHREEFORMALUSESOFTHELAWSUMMARIZED Asameansofgrace,thelawservesGod’spurposesinthreeways:(1)theologically,itusesandcondemnseveryone;(2)politically,itrestrainsunbelievers;and(3)pedagogically,itilluminesandmotivatesbelieversinwell-doing.Inthelanguageofthepulpit,thelawisamirror,abridle,andawhiptoanidleass.12Lutherspeaksofthecivilorpoliticaluseofthelaw,whichgovernshumanresponsibility(firstuse),andthetheologicaluseofthelaw,whichdrivesustoChrist(seconduse).Calvin’sschemaisdifferent.InCalvin’ssermons,themorallawispreeminentlypunitiveandusatory,terrifyingsoulsandcondemningeveryformofhumanpride.Preachingthelawteachesthesinnertheawfultruth,frightenstheconscience,andbidsthehearertoshapeup.13Thelaw’smirrorshattersallselfconfidenceinvainattemptstodemonstraterighteousnessbeforeGod.Itreveals 10Institutes,2.9.4.11Institutes,2.9.412Institutes,2.7.12.13Inthe1559Institutes(2.7.12),Calvincalledthepedagogicalorthirduseofthelawits“principaluse,whichpertainsmorecloselytotheproperpurposeofthelaw.”However,thisassessmentisnotreflectedinhispreaching.Asapreacher,heleanedequallyifnotmoreheavilyonthetheological(punitive)useofthelawtodisabusesinnersofthenotionthattheyhaveanyhopeofsalvationbasedonmeritandtosendthemfleeingtothemerciesofChrist. 265 Ramp thatGodisperfectlyholyandhumanityisperfectlycontemptible,loathsome,andlost.Themirrorestablishesuniversalguiltandheightenssinners’gratitudethatGoddeignstorescueanyfromdamnation.Thefirstuseofthelawispunitivepreciselytorevealhumanity’strueconditionbeforeGodandtomotivatesinnerstofleetoChrist’smercynakedandempty-handed.14Thisthemeissoundedrepeatedlyfromthepulpit. Second,asabridlerestrainsahorse,thelawregulatesandrestrainswickedbehaviorforthepublicgood.Here,thelawprotectsmunitybyconstrainingthereprobateandthosewhoarenotyetregenerate.Goddesiresorderandpeaceandappointskings,princes,andmagistratestokeeplawandorderintherealm.Theymayuseforcewhennecessarytopreservethepeace.Thisuseofthelawreceivesonlypassingattentionfromthepulpit,primarilyinpolemicsagainsttheAnabaptists,whotaughtthataChristiancouldnotbeacivilservantandthattheuseofforceviolatesGod’mandments. Thethirduseofthelawisreservedforbelievers“inwhoseheartstheSpiritofGodalreadylivesandreigns.”15ThemorallawofworshipandloveilluminesandguidestheChristianlife.Christ,andhealone,perfectlyfulfilledthelaw.Wecannot,becauseweareencumberedwithabody,butweshouldmakeeveryattempttopurgetheevilthatisinusandgrowincharityandgrace. IV.HOMILETICALUSESOFTHELAW ItisoftenimpossibletotellfromCalvin’ssermonswhichofthethreeuseshewasdeploying.Hepreachedwithcertitude,conviction,andpower.HisaimwasalwaystoteachandpersuadehishearerstohonorGodandobeyChrist’mandments.Preachingismorethanexpositionandexplanation;itisChrist’swayofguidinghisflock.ExhortationandpracticalapplicationarecentralinCalvin’spreaching.Calvin’ssermonsareacuriousblendofbiblicalexegesisandevangelicaldogmatics.Theyaresomber,sober,direct,plainspoken,dogmaticexpositionsofthetextathand.HispracticeoflectiocontinualedhimtoworkthroughabookoftheBiblecarefully,versebyverse.Thisremarkabletextualfidelityemphasizestheteachingofficeofthepulpitandgiveshissermonsaverydidacticandsomewhatrepetitiouscharacter.However,consideringthathepreachedtwiceandoftenthreetimesonSundaysandatleastfiveothertimesduringtheweek,withoutnotesoranywrittenrecord,foratleastfortyminutes,wecanivesomeredundancy.16 14Calvinbelievedthateveninpletelyfallenstate,eachpersonmust“besostungbytheconsciousnessofhisownunhappinessastoattainatleastsomeknowledgeofGod.”Humanity“cannotseriouslyaspireto[God]beforewebegintoedispleasedwithourselves”(Institutes,1.1.1). 15Institutes,2.7.12.16Before1549,Calvinpreachedthreetimesduringtheweekatfiveintheafternoon,andthreetimesonSundays,atdaybreak,nineinthemorning,andthreeintheafternoon.After1549hepreachedtwiceonSundaysandonceadayinalternateweeks.HepreachedinFrenchwithoutnotesandwithoutanywrittenrecordofwhathesaid.Hewascriticaloflifelesspreaching“readfromawrittendiscourse.”Fortunately,theWaldensiansappointedcopyiststorecordandtranscribeCalvin’ssermons.Seethepublisher’sintroduction,JohnCalvin,SermonsontheEpistletotheEphesians(Carlisle,PA:BannerofTruthTrust,1973)v-xvi. 266 JohnCalvinonPreachingtheLaw Calvin’smethodisexplicatio/applicatio:hetellsthehearerswhatthetext(God)saidandwhattheauthorwastryingtoconvey;thenheexplainsmatter-of-factlywhatGodrequirestodayofthehearers. Calvin’ssermononChristmasDay,1551,basedonMic5:7-15,illustrateshismethod.17TakinguptheversesthatcalltheremnantofJacobdewandalion,CalvinappliesthistoChristians:“[I]fwearethechildrenofGod,thenweetoresembleHim;otherwise,wewouldnotbeHischildren.”Normally,Christiansaregracious—likedew—butwhenarousedbythewicked,Christianse“savagebeasts.”TheyactthiswaybecausethisiswhatGodexpects.“God’schildrenaretheambassadorsofHisgrace;theyareresponsibleforitsdispensation;itisthroughthemthattheLordmultipliesandexpandsHisgracethroughouttheworld.” Calvinremindshiscongregationthattheremnantissmall.“We,then,mustbeverycarefulhowweact;forGodwillnotshedHismercyuponallthosewhocallthemselvesChristiansandbearthesignofbaptism.”Immediatelyfollowingthischeerynews,Calvinconsoleshishearerswiththis: LetusrememberthathoweverHiswrathmaybekindledeverywhere,Hewilltakepityuponusandnumberusamongthissmallremnant....ThereasonisthatabsolutelyeverythingdependsuponthegraceofGod.Micah,then,isrevealingthetruecallingofthefaithful:TheyaretosharewiththeirneighborsthegraceGodhassheduponthem.ThechildrenofGod,Isay,mustbeofacharitablenature....SoifwewishtoreallyprovethatweareChristians,eachandeveryoneofusmustdedicatehimselftoservingtheneighbor.18 Servingtheneighborismand(thirduse)which,ifobeyed,confirmsone’selection.ForCalvin,thechildrenofGodrevealthepathofsalvationtoothers“throughtheirdoctrineandbehavior.”Butthere’saproblem: WewishGodwouldleaveusaloneandnotcalluponus,forournatureistotallycontrarytoHim.HowmanyofuscanstandbeingadmonishedandexhortedetoGod?
Thevastmajorityofusonlygrumble,gnashourteeth,andeveryvexedagainstGodandagainstthosewhoadmonishusforourownbenefit.esfromouringratitude,whichblindsustothefactthatGodrainsonusinorderforustobearfruit.19 IfthehearersrefusetoreceivethedewofGod’sgrace,allhellwillbreaklooseuponthem.“InGodHimself,whoisthefountainofallmercyandkindness,wewillfindonlyharshandseveretreatmentifwerejectHisgrace.”Thisisahorriblethreatthatdeservescarefulconsideration,for“itamountstoMicahsayingthatifwedonotobeyGod,wewillbedestituteofeverything,asinfactweare,whatwasordainedforourlifeandsalvationwilleourcondemnation,theverybreadweeatwillemortalvenom.” Calvinnowreturnstothetoughpartofthetext,inwhichGodpromisesto 17JohnCalvin,SermonsonMicah,trans.BlairReynolds(Lewiston,NY:EdwinMellen,1990)308-324.18Ibid.,310-311.19Ibid.,312-313. 267 Ramp rootoutfalsegodsand“executevengeanceinangerandwrathonthenationswhichhavenotobeyed.”MicahsaysthatGodwillteardownhorses,chariots,cities,andthelike.Theproblemisnotwiththecitiesandfortresses,perse,butthewaypeopleabusethem.ThesethingsactlikebandagescoveringoureyesandpreventingusfromfollowingGod.20Thebandagesnumberinthethousands,andCalvinnamessomeofthem:loansharking,rapine,gluttony,drunkenness,materialism. Calvin’smainpointisthatGodmustandwillpurge,cleanse,andcorrecttheelectsotheywilldependnotonthingsbutonhim.“Letusbeverycarefulhowweact.LetusrememberthatwearefullofnothingbutshitandcorruptionuntilGodpurgesus.LetusrecognizethatGodmustpurgeusnotonlyofourvicesbutalsoofbeautifulthingsinordertothoroughlycleanseus.”HavingscandalizedthosewhocametohearaniceChristmassermon,Calvindeliversthecoupdegrace: Iseethattherearemoreofyououttherethanareustomedtoattendingmysermons.Whyisthis?
ItisChristmasDay....Whattreachery,thatyouwouldcelebrateChristmastoday!
DoyouthinkyouarehonoringGodbythis?
HowtrulyobedientdoyouthinkyouaretoGod?
...True,youthinkyouhonorGod,butinpointoffactyouhonorSatan....DaysdonotmatterwhenestospeakingofourLord’snativity;wecanspeakofitonWednesday,Thursday,anyday.ButwhenyouaresowickedthatyouwishtoserveGodordingtoyourwhims,thatisblasphemy;youhaveedanidol,howeveryoumaythinkyouareactingsolelyinthenameofGod.
V.THEOLOGICALANTHROPOLOGYANDSANCTIFICATION WehavealreadyshownCalvin’sverypessimisticviewofhumannature.“St.PaulhaswrappedAdam’schildrentogether,asitwere,inonebundle.Forinallmankindhefindsnothingbutwickednessandcorruption.”21ThisexplainswhyCalvindidnotworryaboutdistinguishingfirstandthirdusesofthelawfromthepulpit.Boththereprobateandtheelectmustbattlethetemptationofthefleshtohypocrisy: Inshort,itisaveryhardbattlewhenamanmustbothlaydownallthewisdomhepridedhimselfonhavingingoverninghimselfafterhisownfancy,andalsotamehisaffections,thathemaybesubjecttoGodandhavenothinginhimselfthatwillberepugnanttoGod.Forourfleshisinsolenceitself,andwehearhowitissaid...thatallaman’sthoughtsandallhecanevenconceiveisenmityagainstGod.22 Thisbringsustotheissueofsanctification.ElectionissomethingthatGoddoes.Iteffectsjustificationandregeneration.Regenerationbeginsoursanctifica- 20“OurLord,seeingthatwearepronetotrustinworldlythings,saysthatHewillstripthemfromusinordertogiveusaclearpathtoHim.Worldlythingsarelikebandagesoveroureyes....WeknowthatoursurvivaldependsuponGodgoverningus....Yet,weareunabletofollowGodonesinglestepofthewaybecauseoureyesarebandaged”(ibid.,317). 21Calvin,SermonsontheEpistletotheEphesians,408.22Ibid.,406. 268 JohnCalvinonPreachingtheLaw tion,aprocess(struggle)bywhichbelieversrenounceselfandallowtheHolySpirittoreignintheirflesh.Thebehavioralaspectofthisisaconstantstruggle,whichispreciselywhyCalvininsistsonapedagogicaluseofthelaw: [H]ereweseethattherearetwosidestotherulingofourlife,andtoingtoGod.Theoneistheforsakingofourselves,andtheotheristhatwemustbegovernedbyGod’sSpirit....JesusChristhasbeensenttousinorderthatweshouldberestoredtotheimageofGod.TrueitisthathehasreconciledustoGodhisFatherbyhisdeathandpassion,andthatthesheddingofhisbloodwashesusfromallfilthiness,andsetsusfreefromdamnationandendlessdeath....Butyetwemustnotseparatethesecondpointfromit,whichisthatwemustbesanctifiedbyhisHolySpirit,ordingtothesayingthathehasreceivedthefullnessofallgraceinorderthatweshouldtakefromhim....IfthenwedesiretobereceivedtomercyatGod’shand,bythedeathandpassionofhisonlySon,andnottohaveoursinsimputedtous,becausehehasmadesatisfactionandpaymentforthem,letusalsolearnthatheisgiventousforoursanctification,inorderthatweshouldbegovernedbyhisHolySpirit.So,then,ifweintendtobegintoruleourlifewell,wemustdenyourselvesandfightagainstourownnature.23Calvinfeltthatbelievers“needremindingconstantly”thattheirlivesaretobelivingproofthattheyhavebeensetapart“fromallthepollutionsoftheworld”andthetyrannyofSatan.Therefore,Calvinusedthelawtocultivategodlyfear,humility,carefulness,andwhathecalled“littlevictories.”Fortheelect,theproblemisnothowoneisjustifiedbuthowonelivesundertheauthorityoftheHolySpirit.Calvinwasconcernedthattheelectobserve,howeverimperfectly,themorallaw—loveofGodandloveofneighbor—asambassadorsofJesusChrist,tothegloryandhonorofGod.Preacherscoulddoworse. STEPHENW.RAMPisalicensedattorney,anordainedministerofthePresbyterianChurch(USA),andanassociateprofessorofhomileticsatLutherSeminary,St.Paul,Minnesota. 23Ibid.,427-428. 269