Calvin and Missions - World Evangelical Alliance

John Calvin on Evangelism and Missions
(1998)
RAY VAN NESTE
147
Dr. Ray Van Neste is assistant professor of Christians Studies and Director of
the R. C. Ryan Center of Biblical Studies of Union University, Jackson, TN.
Originally published in The Founders Journal, issue 33 (summer 1998). Reprinted by permission
of the author (www.uu.edu/personal/rvannest) and of the Founders Ministries,
Cape Coral, FL (www.founders.org).
Introduction
From his own lifetime onward John Calvin has been a controversial person.
One controversy stems from the accusations leveled against him by
many that he was completely unevangelistic and unconcerned about missions.
A. M. Hunter, in his book on Calvin’s teaching, said, “Certainly he
[Calvin] displayed no trace of missionary enthusiasm.” 216 Some have even
said that Calvin’s teaching on predestination necessarily destroyed evangelistic
fervor; “we are all familiar with the scornful rationalization that
facilely asserts that his horrible doctrine of divine election makes nonsense
of all missionary and evangelistic activity.” 217 Others, however, have said:
“One of the natural results of Calvin’s perspective of predestination was an
intensified zeal for evangelism.” 218 Though some have used Calvin’s teachings
to excuse their apathy towards evangelism, a close examination of
Calvin’s historical context, his writings, and his actions would prove John
Calvin to be a man truly committed to the spread of the gospel.
Historical Context
In order to understand John Calvin, or any other historical figure, one
must understand the time in which the person lived and worked. Calvin
216
A. Mitchell Hunter, The Teaching of Calvin, a Modern Interpretation (Glasgow:
Maclehose, Jackson, and Company, 1920), 154.
217
Philip E. Hughes, “John Calvin: Director of Missions,” in The Heritage of John
Calvin, ed., J. H. Bratt (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1973), 42.
218
Frank A. James, III, “It was both ‘a horrible decree’ and ‘very sweet fruit’”, Christian
History 5, no. 4 (Fall 1986): 26.