Two Presbyterian schools, St. Andrew’s Hall, part of the Vancouver School of Theology, and Presbyterian College in Montreal, held autumn events to commemorate the end of the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Each event brought together a diverse group of presenters who prompted discussion on Calvin’s teachings.
In Montreal, the October weekend began with a lecture on Calvin’s use of beauty. The Swiss reformer, typically known more for his personal austerity than his concern for esthetics, was actually quite taken by the theme of beauty in the manifestation of God.
The speaking roster included many familiar Presbyterian names – Stephen Farris of St. Andrew’s Hall, Karla Wubbenhorst of Westminster-St. Paul’s, Guelph, Ont., and former principal William Klempa – though several other traditions were represented including Anglican and Roman Catholic, as well as a representative from Quebec’s French-speaking Reformed churches.
The event was rounded out by Richard Topping, former minister at the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal, (which hosted the event along with the college), who lectured on Calvin and holy scripture.
Topping was also part of Calvin @ 500, the September event held at St. Andrew’s Hall where he was officially installed as professor of Studies in the Reformed Tradition. In his inaugural lecture, Topping took issue with some forms of biblical interpretation, arguing, “They marginalize the agency of God in the task of scripture interpretation.” He critiqued the tendency of interpreters to be “estranged from what they believe in order to read about what they believe,” and emphasized the need for “putting the ‘holy’ back into holy scripture.”
Justice Ministries’ Stephen Allen argued, “Social and economic themes are ‘interwoven with the fundamental character of Calvin’s theology.” He referenced Calvin’s commentary on Exodus 16.19: “A fair distribution can become reality if the rich … do not gorge themselves upon the hunger and want of the poor.”
Gerard Booy, minister at Haney, Maple Ridge, B.C., called Calvin “the theologian of the Holy Spirit.” Although humanity can learn of God through experiencing creation, Booy noted it is the scriptures that clarify the image of God and focus the reader on Jesus Christ. The Hall’s dean, Stephen Farris referred to Calvin’s metaphor of the scriptures as spectacles “to allow us to look at creation more clearly.”
Knox College, Toronto, held its own in-depth three-day conference in June in co-operation with Emmanuel College. The event offered two streams of study: historical research and ministry practice, and featured American professor Serene Jones, professor and theologian Alister McGrath, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Marilynne Robinson, as well as numerous workshops, music, worship services, and a rare book exhibit.
According to a story circulated by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, public response to the jubilee year exceeded expectations.
“This year has both re-connected Reformed Christians to their roots and to each other,” said WARC president and head of the International Patronage Committee, Clifton Kirkpatrick. His committee co-ordinated the Jubilee activities. Plans are underway to redevelop calvin09.org as a source for news and research into the impact of John Calvin’s legacy. – with files from Joel Coppetiers, Kathleen Bolton, and WARC
