Posted on 07/06/2009 11:42:41 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) set aside this year to remember the 500th anniversary of John Calvin. On July 10th five hundred years ago, John Calvin was born in Noyon, France. Many English-speaking churches today have selected a special logo this year to honor Calvin. The logo includes two hands holding one heart and a prayer penned by Calvin himself: “My heart I offer Thee, Lord, promptly and sincerely.”
Calvin’s legacy is a church system led by elders and deacons. He became one of the founding fathers of Presbyterianism, Christian Reformation, and a hero remembered by many. Calvin used his writings to teach what he believed and show how to lead a godly life. His Institutes of the Christian Religion later became a classic work detailing what Christianity is about. He spent 24 years writing Institutes and edited it at great lengths five times.
Calvin began writing Institutes in 1536 because he was keenly aware that very few people in France had a basic understanding of Christ and wanted to defend Christians who were persecuted by the king of France. His motive for writing was to help Christians understand the foundational teachings of Christianity.
Besides Institutes, Calvin also wrote other important works such as Bible commentaries and sermon series. Some of these works he penned himself (such as Institutes), others were transcribed by people who heard him teach (such as his sermons). Calvin’s words carry immense power and continue to influence Christians everywhere. Institutes could arguably be the first written work that systematically introduces Christianity with great detail.
When Presbyterianism was introduced in Taiwan, missionaries knew very well the power of written words. They began publishing Taiwan’s first newspaper, later known as Taiwan Church News, in Romanized Taiwanese to build up the faith of Christians and instruct the general public. Missionaries also introduced other Christian books to Taiwanese society later on. Their efforts began a new era of literacy and modernization with far reaching implications to this day.
As we celebrate Calvin’s 500th anniversary in July, we also remember that July is the season when PCT churches highlight and support communications ministries.
This is a fitting time for us to seriously examine the power of written words in today’s society. We confess that when it comes to communications ministries, we lack passion and concern. Our writings do not have the power to change local churches or Taiwanese society. Though PCT produced Taiwan’s first newspaper and owned Taiwan’s first printing press, we have to ponder: How many textbooks published by PCT are studied during the three years that make up a seminarian’s theological education? How many books on the Presbyterian faith have we published that we can recommend to others?
If we echo Calvin’s prayer and sincerely offer our hearts to God, let us not ignore the power of written words. Let us stay devoted to communication ministries so that we can translate important theological works and other good books on Christian living so the lives of Christians can be edified and transformed through written works.
Calvin began writing Institutes in 1536 because he was keenly aware that very few people in France had a basic understanding of Christ and wanted to defend Christians who were persecuted by the king of France. His motive for writing was to help Christians understand the foundational teachings of Christianity.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.