The Necessity of Reforming the Church
The church reached a turning point in the sixteenth century. Worship had become a spectacle, the gospel was distorted, the sacraments were replaced by superstition, and ministers lived in immorality. To restore the church to the teachings of Christ, the Reformers cried out for a return to God’s authoritative Word. In this classic treatise, John Calvin presents four areas of the church’s life and doctrine that must be carefully guarded and guided by Scripture. This timeless call for biblical faithfulness beckons us today. How will we respond?This new translation by Dr. Casey Carmichael, with a foreword from Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, also includes A Reply to Cardinal Sadoleto, Calvin’s letter defending the work of reformation as it was applied in the city of Geneva.
- Intro Credits
- Foreword
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Reply Part 1
- Reply Part 2
- Outro Credits
John Calvin
John Calvin, a French Reformer, pastor, and theologian, is widely regarded as one of the greatest figures of the Protestant Reformation. Alongside Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli, Calvin played a pivotal role in shaping the movement. His most notable work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, not only synthesized the diverse perspectives of Protestant sects but also became an anchor of Protestant theology.
Calvin's impact as a Reformer stemmed from his ability to systematize the Protestant vision by drawing upon the teachings of Luther, Zwingli, and other prominent figures.
Calvin, eventually, became the most influential figure in the Reformation movement, to the point where Protestants were often called Calvinists. The Separatists in England, who were originally Calvinists, objected to the Anglican Church and brought Calvinism to America, establishing Plymouth Colony in 1621. Consequently, Calvinism emerged as the leading Christian doctrine in New England, exerting considerable influence throughout the early years of the United States and even to this present day.
