What do you think?
Rate this book
A Long Line of Godly Men Profile
The Expository Genius of John Calvin (
“The aim of this book is to raise the bar for a new generation of expositors.”
—Steven J. Lawson
Looking to the past for outstanding Bible-based, Christ-centered, and life-changing preaching, Dr. Steven J. Lawson focuses on sixteenth-century Geneva, Switzerland. It was there that John Calvin ministered for decades as a faithful shepherd to a flock of believers.
Here is an intimate portrait of Calvin the preacher-the core beliefs that determined his preaching style, the steps he took to prepare to preach, and the techniques he used in handling the Word of God, interpreting it, and applying it to his congregation. In the pulpit ministry of the great Reformer, Dr. Lawson finds inspiration and guidance for today’s church and calls on modern pastors to follow the Reformer’s example of strong expository preaching.
“I heartily recommend this book by Steven Lawson as an impetus to the recovery of expository preaching. It is an especially good gift for pastors and seminary students.”
—R.C. Sproul
—Steven J. Lawson
Looking to the past for outstanding Bible-based, Christ-centered, and life-changing preaching, Dr. Steven J. Lawson focuses on sixteenth-century Geneva, Switzerland. It was there that John Calvin ministered for decades as a faithful shepherd to a flock of believers.
Here is an intimate portrait of Calvin the preacher-the core beliefs that determined his preaching style, the steps he took to prepare to preach, and the techniques he used in handling the Word of God, interpreting it, and applying it to his congregation. In the pulpit ministry of the great Reformer, Dr. Lawson finds inspiration and guidance for today’s church and calls on modern pastors to follow the Reformer’s example of strong expository preaching.
“I heartily recommend this book by Steven Lawson as an impetus to the recovery of expository preaching. It is an especially good gift for pastors and seminary students.”
—R.C. Sproul
142 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2007
105 people are currently reading
1296 people want to read
About the author
Steven J. Lawson
78 books315 followersDr. Steven J. Lawson is the Senior Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, having served as a pastor in Arkansas and Alabama for the past twenty-nine years. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University (B.B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Reformed Theological Seminary (D. Min.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 23, 2013
Steve Lawson, senior pastor at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, has started a project - a big project. The project, "A Long Line of Godly Men" is a book series that will survey the doctrines of grace as they have been taught and defended from the time of Moses, to the apostle John, to Augustine, to Luther and Calvin, to Warfield, to present day teachers such as A.W. Pink, Martyn Lloyd Jones, John Piper and John MacArthur. The first installment of this series entitled Foundations of Grace (1400 BC - AD 100) resides on my reading list and hopefully will soon be plundered!
Companion to this series are Lawson's "Long Line of Godly Men Profiles." The first book from this Profile series is "The Expository Genius of John Calvin." In this meaty little book, Lawson, after a short overview of Calvin's birth, early life and conversion, first examines his approach to the pulpit. Here we learn that Calvin's unwavering belief in Biblical authority profoundly shaped his preaching ministry. Calvin himself stated, "We own to the Scripture the same reverence which we owe to God because it proceeded from Him alone, and has nothing of man mixed with it" (27). It was this foundational conviction that propelled and shaped Calvin's ministry. When Calvin when to the pulpit, it was to preach the actual words of God.
Lawson continues from here to outline a total of 32 distinctives of Calvin's preaching, examining everything from Calvin's preparation for the pulpit to the actual sermons themselves. Lawson looks at how Calvin introduced his messages, with what care Calvin took to ensure his message was truly and consistently from the text of Scripture, how he applied the truth to his hearers, and how he concluded his messages. At the end of each chapter, Lawson offers a short prayer to God to raise up men who will be characterized by the previous distinctives he had just laid out in that particular chapter, thus demonstrating that this is not, for Lawson, merely an interesting walk through church history - it is a longing for men of this generation to be found boldly, accurately, and passionately preaching the Word and only the Word.
Lawson is not seeking Calvin clones - Calvin was in his own league - but he is endeavoring to provide preachers with a glimpse of what made this man great, so that we might learn from him and thus become better preachers ourselves for the glory of God and the good of our people. This is an edifying and helpful little book and I recommend it to you.
Companion to this series are Lawson's "Long Line of Godly Men Profiles." The first book from this Profile series is "The Expository Genius of John Calvin." In this meaty little book, Lawson, after a short overview of Calvin's birth, early life and conversion, first examines his approach to the pulpit. Here we learn that Calvin's unwavering belief in Biblical authority profoundly shaped his preaching ministry. Calvin himself stated, "We own to the Scripture the same reverence which we owe to God because it proceeded from Him alone, and has nothing of man mixed with it" (27). It was this foundational conviction that propelled and shaped Calvin's ministry. When Calvin when to the pulpit, it was to preach the actual words of God.
Lawson continues from here to outline a total of 32 distinctives of Calvin's preaching, examining everything from Calvin's preparation for the pulpit to the actual sermons themselves. Lawson looks at how Calvin introduced his messages, with what care Calvin took to ensure his message was truly and consistently from the text of Scripture, how he applied the truth to his hearers, and how he concluded his messages. At the end of each chapter, Lawson offers a short prayer to God to raise up men who will be characterized by the previous distinctives he had just laid out in that particular chapter, thus demonstrating that this is not, for Lawson, merely an interesting walk through church history - it is a longing for men of this generation to be found boldly, accurately, and passionately preaching the Word and only the Word.
Lawson is not seeking Calvin clones - Calvin was in his own league - but he is endeavoring to provide preachers with a glimpse of what made this man great, so that we might learn from him and thus become better preachers ourselves for the glory of God and the good of our people. This is an edifying and helpful little book and I recommend it to you.
January 16, 2019
I love this whole series by Steve Lawson!! This is probably my least favorite of the series so far but that’s probably because I know more about Calvin already than the others 🤣 I can’t wait to read through (listen through) the rest of this series! I must add that I love the audio book reader who does the whole series. He does such a fantastic job!!
September 24, 2021
4.5 stars. This was a fascinating read, looking into Calvin’s singular focus within his preaching (which he did nearly every day of the week). Lawson points out over 30 distinctive elements of Calvin’s preaching that can be beneficial to preachers today. I marked this book down slightly (but then rounded up) simply because of Lawson’s rather formulaic style in these short biographies. This series might have fared better if more authors had taken individual titles. Still, it was refreshing, convicting, and inspiring to learn about Calvin’s preaching.
May 10, 2021
Doctor Lawson has done an excellent job of giving a brief but detailed study of the life of John Calvin. Dr. Lawson also serves as the editor of the series Long Line of Godly Men Profiles. This book, as well as the entire series, can be read quickly yet give much depth into the life of the Profile addressed. This book contains many footnote for further study.
August 18, 2016
2009 Review: Whether or not you like this book probably depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a detailed look at Calvin's preaching you will need to go elsewhere. I might suggests T.H.L Parker's book on Calvin's Preaching. Lawson's book is great for a quick review of the main aspects of Calvin's preaching. When I need direction for my preaching, whether delivery or preparation or the conclusion, I can pull out Lawson's book and get some quick input. It is almost like a reference book for sermon preparation and delivery. I found very helpful and continue to enjoy it.
2016 Review: I read this again before recommending it to someone. My 2009 review is about right. Lawson lists 32 distinctive parts of Calvin's preaching from preparation to introduction to exposition to delivery to application and ending with conclusion. There are too many words like "soaring" and "majestic." He is too effusive. But the book is still excellent as a quick primer on preaching. I was particularly convicted on the matter of Biblical authority and simplicity in preaching.
2016 Review: I read this again before recommending it to someone. My 2009 review is about right. Lawson lists 32 distinctive parts of Calvin's preaching from preparation to introduction to exposition to delivery to application and ending with conclusion. There are too many words like "soaring" and "majestic." He is too effusive. But the book is still excellent as a quick primer on preaching. I was particularly convicted on the matter of Biblical authority and simplicity in preaching.
April 6, 2022
Most people see this name and many things that are not true come to mind. Most people hear the name Calvin and associate it only with Calvinism. The doctrine of predestination, more commonly known as Calvinism, is found in the Bible and is scripturally accurate, something Calvin prized highly. This book informs readers of all his accomplishments. Readers will learn some of his tragic family life. They will also learn of his steadfastness toward God and the Scriptures. If you're interested in learning a little more of who Calvin is and what he stands for, though I will say this isn't too extensive and serves better as a charge to the future generation.
August 3, 2009
This is a very fine, compact handling of John Calvin's attitude toward the Scriptures, and the duties of the faithful preacher in expositing the Scriptures. This is a good one, particularly recommended to preachers.
August 15, 2019
I liked this book. It does little to tell us about John Calvin himself (and there are swaths of biographies on the man) and thats fine. Instead it focuses on 32 elements of his preaching. Although I enjoyed the book it is not a must read text for those who want to know more of the Genevan Reformer.
January 21, 2019
A lively and entertaining biography that focuses on Calvin's preaching. Lawson's approach of highlighting distinctives such as Calvin's commitment to biblical authority, pulpit priority, pursuing the glory of God and exposition concerned with the author's original meaning, are particularly helpful to the reader to follow the train of thought in what is not a typical biography.
Another way to describe this book is that it is deliciously biased. Therefore some of Calvin's opponents may walk away from this disappointed. My hope though is that even his opposition would be encouraged by Calvin's commitment to study, interpret, proclaim and apply the Word of God to his congregation (even if he did this imperfectly).
Lawson's own distaste for contemporary worship practices at times is unwarranted and proves a distraction (especially since he makes assertions without arguing the case). This can easily lead to establishing false dichotomies in the mind of the reader, is there in fact nothing meaningful in modern worship practices? So, while a call to return to proper biblical worship is timely in every age, some details would have helped to give some context (although this then may have been a distraction from reading Calvin as an example). Another excess is the use of phrases like "he preached nothing but the Word", even if accurate proclamation is the aim of expository preaching, we should acknowledge in humility that we do not only use the words of the text to expound the scriptures, but fallible interpretation is involved.
Notwithstanding these friendly criticisms, this little book ultimately transcends biography and morphs into a book on preaching that was a delight to explore - Calvin in so many ways is indeed a model for us.
Another way to describe this book is that it is deliciously biased. Therefore some of Calvin's opponents may walk away from this disappointed. My hope though is that even his opposition would be encouraged by Calvin's commitment to study, interpret, proclaim and apply the Word of God to his congregation (even if he did this imperfectly).
Lawson's own distaste for contemporary worship practices at times is unwarranted and proves a distraction (especially since he makes assertions without arguing the case). This can easily lead to establishing false dichotomies in the mind of the reader, is there in fact nothing meaningful in modern worship practices? So, while a call to return to proper biblical worship is timely in every age, some details would have helped to give some context (although this then may have been a distraction from reading Calvin as an example). Another excess is the use of phrases like "he preached nothing but the Word", even if accurate proclamation is the aim of expository preaching, we should acknowledge in humility that we do not only use the words of the text to expound the scriptures, but fallible interpretation is involved.
Notwithstanding these friendly criticisms, this little book ultimately transcends biography and morphs into a book on preaching that was a delight to explore - Calvin in so many ways is indeed a model for us.
April 16, 2019
A short, concise introduction to the life and, more importantly, the expository preaching of John Calvin. The first book in an excellent series looking at the focus of the preaching of some the best and most influential preachers over the centuries.
Lawson does an excellent job of putting Calvin's life into historical, and theological, context. The myths surrounding Calvin, such as his tyrannical Genevan dictatorship, are shown to clearly be false and Lawson clearly shows an appreciation for Calvin's pastoral heart.
The main focus of the book, however, is on the preaching of Calvin; 32 distinctives of his preaching are considered. These distinctives are wide ranging considerations: from the type of copulating phrases Calvin used to link ideas, to his method of preaching 4 - 5 verses of exposition throughout the whole of a book, and his inclusive language, ensuring Calvin never spoke down to his congregation but numbered himself among those to whom he was preaching.
As an occasional preacher, this book really helped my grasp on the fundamental focuses of good exposition, and Lawson lets us learn from the master himself. Rather than telling us simply about Calvin's preaching, he frequently inserts long quotations and excerpts from Calvin's sermons to illustrate the point being made. This was especially useful in being able interact directly with Calvin's work. In many cases, it simply made me want to read the entire sermons.
Lawson does an excellent job in highlighting the strength of expository preaching, and Calvin's mastery of it. The book serves as an encouragement and an exhortation for preachers to go and do likewise. It is brief, concise, and serves as an excellent introduction to Calvin's work, and expository preaching in general.
Lawson does an excellent job of putting Calvin's life into historical, and theological, context. The myths surrounding Calvin, such as his tyrannical Genevan dictatorship, are shown to clearly be false and Lawson clearly shows an appreciation for Calvin's pastoral heart.
The main focus of the book, however, is on the preaching of Calvin; 32 distinctives of his preaching are considered. These distinctives are wide ranging considerations: from the type of copulating phrases Calvin used to link ideas, to his method of preaching 4 - 5 verses of exposition throughout the whole of a book, and his inclusive language, ensuring Calvin never spoke down to his congregation but numbered himself among those to whom he was preaching.
As an occasional preacher, this book really helped my grasp on the fundamental focuses of good exposition, and Lawson lets us learn from the master himself. Rather than telling us simply about Calvin's preaching, he frequently inserts long quotations and excerpts from Calvin's sermons to illustrate the point being made. This was especially useful in being able interact directly with Calvin's work. In many cases, it simply made me want to read the entire sermons.
Lawson does an excellent job in highlighting the strength of expository preaching, and Calvin's mastery of it. The book serves as an encouragement and an exhortation for preachers to go and do likewise. It is brief, concise, and serves as an excellent introduction to Calvin's work, and expository preaching in general.
December 22, 2022
Short bio primarily focusing on Calvin’s ministry in Geneva, primarily focusing on his pulpit ministry, including how he prepared sermons, his preaching style, philosophy of preaching, etc. The focus is on encouraging a recovery of gospel, experimental, Expositional preaching, which is desperately needed in our day as it was in Calvin’s.
January 13, 2018
Although I’m not a John Calvin fan, this book gave a very intriguing insight into his pulpit ministry. No doubt there is much that can be learned here for every preacher.
January 18, 2018
Muito bom
May 8, 2020
Its a pithy little volume that checks out the person and preaching of John Calvin from a bird's eye view. There are enjoyable helpful tidbits, but for 12 bucks it is really over-priced.
September 1, 2021
Concise, clear, helpful, insightful, historical and true. Lawson writes with precision and grace and it is evident in this work. He informs the reader of the life of John Calvin but doesn't stop there. He draws out admirable qualities that made Calvin so great an expositor and helped encourage others to look for pastors who preach the same (or primarily encourage pastors to emulate this example). Wonderful book.
July 3, 2020
Through the study of his life, commentaries, and sermons, Dr Steven Lawson pinpoints the following elements and foundations of Calvin’s preaching (32 total)
*Approaching the Pulpit*
1. Biblical authority
2. Divine presence
3. Pulpit priority - “What God has to say to me and is infinitely more important than what man has to say to God” p. 30.
4. Sequential expository preaching
*Preparing the Preacher*
5. Diligent Mind
6. Devoted Heart
7. Relentless Will
*Launching the Sermon*
8. Direct Beginning
9. Extemporaneous Delivery - “Drew from thorough study and had no notes for a clear delivery” p. 58.
10. Scriptural Context
11. Stated Theme
*Expounding the Text*
12. Specific Text
13. Exegetical Precision - Passages considered in their historical context and grammatical structure. p69.
14. Literal Interpretation
15. Cross References
16. Persuasive Reasoning
17. Reasonable Deductions - Explaining of challenging texts.
*Crafting the Delivery*
18. Familiar words
19. Vivid expressions
20. Provocative questions
21. Simple restatements
22. Limited quotations
23. Seamless transitions
24. Unspoken outline
25. Focused intensity
*Application*
26. Pastoral Exhortation
27. Personal Examination
28. Loving Rebuke
29. Polemic Confrontation
Concluding the Exposition
30. Succinct Summation - Summary and reinstatement of main theme in basic paragraph.
31. Pressing Appeal
32. Climactic Prayer
This book helped me structurally understand exactly why my favorite expository preachers are different from other topical preachers or storytelling preachers.
*Approaching the Pulpit*
1. Biblical authority
2. Divine presence
3. Pulpit priority - “What God has to say to me and is infinitely more important than what man has to say to God” p. 30.
4. Sequential expository preaching
*Preparing the Preacher*
5. Diligent Mind
6. Devoted Heart
7. Relentless Will
*Launching the Sermon*
8. Direct Beginning
9. Extemporaneous Delivery - “Drew from thorough study and had no notes for a clear delivery” p. 58.
10. Scriptural Context
11. Stated Theme
*Expounding the Text*
12. Specific Text
13. Exegetical Precision - Passages considered in their historical context and grammatical structure. p69.
14. Literal Interpretation
15. Cross References
16. Persuasive Reasoning
17. Reasonable Deductions - Explaining of challenging texts.
*Crafting the Delivery*
18. Familiar words
19. Vivid expressions
20. Provocative questions
21. Simple restatements
22. Limited quotations
23. Seamless transitions
24. Unspoken outline
25. Focused intensity
*Application*
26. Pastoral Exhortation
27. Personal Examination
28. Loving Rebuke
29. Polemic Confrontation
Concluding the Exposition
30. Succinct Summation - Summary and reinstatement of main theme in basic paragraph.
31. Pressing Appeal
32. Climactic Prayer
This book helped me structurally understand exactly why my favorite expository preachers are different from other topical preachers or storytelling preachers.
June 16, 2015
Lawson reveals the preaching of Calvin in a way that is extremely applicable for any preacher. The Genevan reformer cannot be imitated on many things, but one can take some very helpful advice on Calvin's approach before and during his time in the pulpit exalting the majesty of the God of heaven and earth.
January 16, 2017
A great follow-up to the Martin Luther book. Covered a great detail of Calvin's life and helped me learn some surprising facts about his personal life. This really helped to raise my respect for the great -yet often misunderstood - preacher even more.
July 22, 2015
Very good
July 10, 2020
Este pequeño libro escrito por el pastor Steven Lawson tiene el propósito de animar a una nueva generación de expositores a predicar la Palabra de Dios en el poder del Espíritu Santo, para la gloria de Dios. Para lograr este objetivo, expone 32 marcas distintivas de la predicación de Juan Calvino. El primer capítulo nos da un panorama biográfico bastante conciso del reformador francés, enfatizando que Calvino fue principalmente un pastor, antes que teólogo o reformador; y en su llamado como pastor su prioridad fue la predicación expositiva de las Escrituras. En los siguientes 7 capítulos, Lawson analiza la predicación de Calvino bajo siete apartados: su acercamiento al púlpito, su preparación personal, su introducción del sermón, su exposición del texto, su estilo al predicar, su aplicación de la verdad y su conclusión.
Es un libro sencillo de leer y bastante motivador, dirigido a los que han sido llamados por Dios para esta labor suprema de comunicar su mensaje. Steven Lawson escribe con pasión y con una carga en el corazón para que Dios levante hombres como Calvino y su mensaje sea predicado con poder y para su gloria. Es un buen recordatorio para pastores experimentados también que necesitan ser refrescados en medio de las presiones del ministerio. Como dice el capítulo final: ¡Queremos hombres como Calvino otra vez!
Es un libro sencillo de leer y bastante motivador, dirigido a los que han sido llamados por Dios para esta labor suprema de comunicar su mensaje. Steven Lawson escribe con pasión y con una carga en el corazón para que Dios levante hombres como Calvino y su mensaje sea predicado con poder y para su gloria. Es un buen recordatorio para pastores experimentados también que necesitan ser refrescados en medio de las presiones del ministerio. Como dice el capítulo final: ¡Queremos hombres como Calvino otra vez!
August 29, 2018
This short book is easy to read as the author leads the reader through different aspects of the preaching methods of Calvin: What the famous preacher thought of the ministry of the pulpit (chapter 2), the preacher himself (ch. 3), beginning the sermon (ch. 4), how to handle the text (ch. 5), giving form to the content (ch. 6), the application of the truth (ch. 7) and how to conclude the sermon (ch. 8).
This book is a plea to preachers to prepare their sermons and preach in the style and disposition of Calvin.
I think the book gives good arguments why contemporary preachers should become "Calvins", because Calvins heart was all about elevating the Word of God and the glory of God. His method of preparing sermons and preaching was an overflow of that conviction.
The only critique I might have on this book, is how Calvin is portrayed. It's like he's almost perfect. Of course the authors purpose in writing this book isn't to give the reader a complete biography of Calvin, but only to zoom into his preaching ministry. In that aspect, maybe Calvin was almost flawless and worthy of imitating.
This book is a plea to preachers to prepare their sermons and preach in the style and disposition of Calvin.
I think the book gives good arguments why contemporary preachers should become "Calvins", because Calvins heart was all about elevating the Word of God and the glory of God. His method of preparing sermons and preaching was an overflow of that conviction.
The only critique I might have on this book, is how Calvin is portrayed. It's like he's almost perfect. Of course the authors purpose in writing this book isn't to give the reader a complete biography of Calvin, but only to zoom into his preaching ministry. In that aspect, maybe Calvin was almost flawless and worthy of imitating.
February 2, 2022
A true masterpiece
Through the entire book, Dr. Lawson describes some distinctives that marked Calvin's theology around shepherding, specially on preaching. As Calvin himself approached the pulpit, many of us are called to follow not the reformer's steps -let alone Lawson's- but Christ's. In this book, Dr. Lawson exposes how Calvin followed the Lord's exposition and used biblical resources on everything (from opening, all the way to closing prayers) in order to fulfill the mandate of being rooted on Scripture Alone.
I do believe this is a genuine gold nugget for those of us who are looking for models on "What a biblical sermon looks like?" or "How should I preach in a Reformed way?".
I gave it five stars although I think a larger exposition on the methods of Calvin would have been useful. On the other hand, this is only one book from the whole collection so, I also think being this summarized gives justice to the purpose and accomplishes its objective.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Through the entire book, Dr. Lawson describes some distinctives that marked Calvin's theology around shepherding, specially on preaching. As Calvin himself approached the pulpit, many of us are called to follow not the reformer's steps -let alone Lawson's- but Christ's. In this book, Dr. Lawson exposes how Calvin followed the Lord's exposition and used biblical resources on everything (from opening, all the way to closing prayers) in order to fulfill the mandate of being rooted on Scripture Alone.
I do believe this is a genuine gold nugget for those of us who are looking for models on "What a biblical sermon looks like?" or "How should I preach in a Reformed way?".
I gave it five stars although I think a larger exposition on the methods of Calvin would have been useful. On the other hand, this is only one book from the whole collection so, I also think being this summarized gives justice to the purpose and accomplishes its objective.
Soli Deo Gloria.
April 4, 2020
This just took a couple hours to read. For some reason I thought it was going to be about the life of John Calvin, but it was specifically about how he preached. So there is a little bit of a summary of his life, but the bulk of the book is about sermon prep, methodology, delivery, ideology, tone, break down of the beginning, middle end and even how he would transition. It's not technical just brief summary.
I found it really insightful and helpful. Everytime I read about Calvin or read Calvin's work, I always have an elevated view of God and God's word. One of the insights I found was the difference between Calvin's writings and his preaching. They were very different and I did not know that. I'm definitely going to be taking some pointers.
This book would be a great short read for pastors or men training to be pastors.
I found it really insightful and helpful. Everytime I read about Calvin or read Calvin's work, I always have an elevated view of God and God's word. One of the insights I found was the difference between Calvin's writings and his preaching. They were very different and I did not know that. I'm definitely going to be taking some pointers.
This book would be a great short read for pastors or men training to be pastors.
Read
October 6, 2021«El genio expositivo de Juan Calvino», de Steven Lawson, presenta la vida del hombre conocido como el «genio de ginebra», «el teólogo», y el «caso acusatorio». Calvino fue pastor de una iglesia en Ginebra, Suiza, durante veinticinco años, y sus «ideas basadas en la Escritura ayudaron a moldear los principios fundamentales de la civilización occidental, dando lugar al sistema de gobierno republicano, a los ideales de la educación pública y a la filosofía del capitalismo de libre mercado» (p. 2).
Lee la reseña en Coalición por el Evangelio.
Lee la reseña en Coalición por el Evangelio.
January 28, 2020
John Calvin, as an intellectual giant in the history of Christianity, is one of the most well-known preachers of Christendom. Lawson evaluates Calvin's sermon manuscripts and draws conclusions about his preaching style, citing examples throughout the book. I learned a lot about Calvin's style from this little work, such as Calvin preaching without notes and rarely referring to the original languages in his sermon. I was also challenged by Calvin's intentionality toward study and the serious undertaking of preaching God's Word.
March 31, 2020
Excelente! Dr. Lawson de maneira muito talentosa consegue trazer inicialmente um breve relato biográfico da vida do reformador de Genebra e depois nos dá uma aula maravilhosa de exposição e estudo bíblicos com base na vida de ministério de Calvino. Ao terminar a leitura além da instrução recebida, o leitor saí com uma forte sensação de arrependimento por estar aquém na vida devocional e ministerial e desejoso de poder seguir o exemplo desse importante reformador que influenciou grandemente a igreja de Cristo ao longo das eras. Recomendo fortemente a leitura desse livro.
May 22, 2022
This book was well written and well researched, but it read more like a long essay than the biography I was expecting (I’ve read several other books from Lawson’s Long Line of Godly Men series). It also seemed directly aimed at preachers, which I am not. It was more about how Calvin preached than about Calvin himself - and considering what I DID learn about Calvin’s devotion to preaching the Word of God accurately, plainly and to change the heart, maybe that is just why Calvin himself would have preferred.
July 10, 2018
Páginas con contenido profundo e inspirador
Una lectura rápida de cómo Calvino manejaba Las Escrituras para su grey. La forma en que bosquejaba sus disertaciones de la Palabra de Dios, nos muestra que los pastores hoy en día no muestran tal compromiso con La Palabra de Dios, tal como lo hizo éste hombre de Dios, y que hoy en día es ejemplo para muchos que buscan poner Las Escrituras como prioridad en las congregaciones.
Una lectura rápida de cómo Calvino manejaba Las Escrituras para su grey. La forma en que bosquejaba sus disertaciones de la Palabra de Dios, nos muestra que los pastores hoy en día no muestran tal compromiso con La Palabra de Dios, tal como lo hizo éste hombre de Dios, y que hoy en día es ejemplo para muchos que buscan poner Las Escrituras como prioridad en las congregaciones.
November 14, 2018
The beginning of the book was a biography of Calvin, and this was the part that interested me most. After this, the rest of the book is primarily geared towards preachers as it offers insights into the methods utilized by Calvin to preach the Word properly. Thus, this book is definitely best for that intended audience. For all others, like me, who do not preach, there are still some good insights for improving one's own Bible study techniques that can be drawn from this.
December 12, 2018
Biographies are always great to read. Especially of giants in the faith. This particular one was helpful to think through Calvin’s pastoral and preaching ministry. So many people think that Calvin was cold and passionless but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Dr. Lawson does a good job of mixing in Calvin’s journey and struggles with analysis on how and why he preached the way that he did.
Good read.
Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews