Sermons on Job

by John Calvin, Rob Roy McGregor

The name of John Calvin (1509-64) is justly renowned in a number of contexts. The Reformation’s greatest systematic theologian, he was also a Christian strategist and transformer of society, as his enormous correspondence and his influence in Geneva bear witness. A prolific scholar, well-versed in the Latin of the academics, he also worked hard at communicating to ordinary men and women in his native French language. Above all, Calvin was a pastor. Indeed, it has been said of him that he became a theologian in order to be a better pastor. Nowhere is that more clearly seen than in his sermons. In 1549, the Compagnie des Étrangers, refugees who thought highly of his ministry, employed a professional scribe, Denis Raguenier, to record and translate Calvin’s sermons. Thanks to the foresight of these sixteenth-century Christians we can still read the 159 sermons Calvin preached on the Book of Job on week-days in 1554-5. They abound in faithful and lively exposition, and remain one of the finest examples of evangelical preaching – faithful to the biblical text and thoughtfully applied to the individual and society.

Genres: Nonfiction

2120 pages, Hardcover

Published August 16, 2022

About the author

French-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536).

The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.

* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)

Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.

After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.

Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.

Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! What a nine month journey meandering through the book of Job with Calvin as my guide.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does suffering show us God? In Sermons on Job, Banner of Truth presents John Calvin’s 159 sermons preached on the Book of Job.


Vibrant and Flowing

Divided into 3 volumes, this expository work is a wonder. Translated from the original French by Dr. Rob Roy McGregor, the modern English text is vibrant and flowing. What I most appreciated about this translation is that McGregor gave each sermon a title! These titles are one-sentence summaries of the big idea for the text. They are typically a central truth supported by the Scripture. This helps to track Calvin’s thought while showcasing a theological framework for Job.

The sermons seem relatively lengthy at around 10-15 pages, but they read quickly. Calvin stays true to the text by getting to the point and applying it well. He begins by quickly noting Job’s character. Even before his trials, Job is declared to be whole and upright. Calvin calls Christians to a life of holiness and to abstain from evil. Calvin does not pull his punches. His directness is refreshing and invigorating to read.


God’s Sovereignty and Justice

God’s sovereignty is an obvious theme throughout the book. When explaining what first happens to Job, Calvin declares that God has “sovereign authority over all creatures and even has a leash on Satan and all the wicked in this world.” God remains at the center of the story and Calvin does not miss him for the details.

While examining the speeches from Job’s friends, Calvin ultimately lands on the justice of God. With God in his courtroom throughout the book, Calvin admonishes us to “learn to enter into ourselves and acknowledge our sins and accuse ourselves before God.” This is to present ourselves in the true light of Christ, where we can ask forgiveness of our sins before the Judge. When done with sincerity, it is here, Calvin says, where we will find grace and mercy. These books are a treasure, filled with riches from the Word of God.


Enlightening, Delightful, and Inspiring

I was most interested to read what Calvin had to say about Elihu. He sees Elihu as a young man who has done his homework. Elihu ridicules and reproaches Job’s friends for being too simplistic. He condemns Job as well. Calvin sees holy zeal in Elihu, someone who needs to speak the truth, and who was given by God the ability to speak. I can’t help but wonder if Calvin saw himself in Elihu, and I can imagine the passion from Calvin as he delivered these sermons.

Calvin concludes the book of Job by stating that Job did seek forgiveness, but also sought to be taught. I am moved to do the same. Reading Calvin’s sermons will enlighten and delight. To read the words of the Reformer is inspiring. His heart to communicate God’s truth in the common language is on full display along with his love for the just, sovereign, and holy Lord.


I received a media copy of Sermons on Job and this is my honest review.

[R S M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pros: I absolutely love the translation and content. It’s as if Calvin speaks directly to you and most of the sermons are easily understandable to the lay man. This has been a great tool to amplify teaching on many subjects across scripture.

Cons: Two honest gripes, the Calvin – 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus sermon series seem superior to the Job three volume.

The verses being talked about were in italics, for easy pin pointing what specific verses were being talking about, maybe, this is exactly how Calvin wrote his Job sermons but this editor method would have been great as they were in the other series.

Biggest gripe was at the end of every sermon Calvin would have the most beautiful prayers written out in the later series. In the Job series it usually says “Let’s come before our good God etc”, very lazy to not include his prayers and write “etc” instead. I feel ripped off that I have 159 missing prayers in these volumes when the other series included all of them.

Worst part of this is that Banner of Truth censored this same review to maintain its 5 star review for the product. Sad that the quality is being sacrificed. Re-release this set with the approximately 100 pages of missing prayers and I will give it 5 stars easily.