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John Calvin: His Life and Legacy, a DVD

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	John Calvin: His Life and Legacy, a DVD In celebration of the Calvin Jubilee, the Office of Theology Worship and Education of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is launching a 60-minute documentary entitled John Calvin: His Life and Legacy. More than 30,000 English-speaking congregations around the world trace their lineage through John Calvin. He is a figure of remarkable significance in the history of the Reformed tradition. The 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth provides a compelling opportunity to re-examine his life and thought. John Calvin: His Life and Legacy combines insightful interviews of well-known Calvin scholars with creative and stunning visuals from such historical places as Geneva and Paris. This documentary will stimulate audiences and inspire a greater passion and understanding of their history as Reformed Christians. PAL version (for Europe/Asia) $30.00 Item #9781571532060 John Calvin: His Life & Legacy was created to be used as both a DVD and as a computer disk. There are several special features worth exploring, several trailers and the ability to view the video with subtitles in Spanish, French, German, Korean and Dutch. The DVD plays best from Power DVD. To find and print (or otherwise use) the Extras: 1.Make certain the DVD is in your computer’s DVD drive 2.On a PC, go to Start or double click My Computer from your desktop 3.Go to My Computer 4.From My Computer right click on the DVD 5.Choose Open or Explore 6.Left click or open the Extras folder 7.You may print the Leader Guide or PowerPoint, or run the PowerPoint from here Order Promotional Materials for DVD Promotional resources, information on distribution and press kits are available for the DVD. Please contact: Clare Lewis Associate for Sales and Business Development Congregational Ministries Publishing 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, KY 40202-1396 (888) 728-7228 x 5032 Email ----------------------- Calvin the man Meet John Calvin John Calvin (1509–1564) is the father of the Reformed tradition, the theological tradition that gave birth to Presbyterianism. John Calvin was a French lawyer who became convinced that Luther’s protest against the Roman Catholic Church was right. In 1536, after fleeing Paris during a crackdown on Protestants, Calvin stopped overnight in Geneva. Guillaume Farel convinced him to lead the reformation of the church there, and except for a brief period in Strasbourg, Calvin spent the rest of his life there. Calvin is best known for The Institutes of the Christian Religion, his commentaries on the Bible, and the songbook of psalms that were used in worship. An English-speaking congregation soon sprang up in Geneva, attracting religious refugees from England and Scotland. John Knox — who would become the founder of the Church of Scotland — was shaped by Calvin in Geneva. It is from these English and Scottish churches that we get American Presbyterianism. Calvin Myths There are several myths that have grown up about John Calvin. The following list highlights just a few. His name was John Calvin The doctor of Geneva was never called John. He was born Jean Cauvin, a Frenchman from Noyon. He was classically educated and wrote in the learned language of the day, Latin. The practice of the time was to use a Latinate form for the author’s name, so his Latin works were attributed to Johannes Calvinus. When these Latin works were then translated into English, the Latin name was Anglicized, leaving us with John Calvin. He was a minister Although Calvin was elected to the office of pastor in Geneva, he was actually never ordained as a minister. The black robes that Presbyterian ministers often wear are modeled after Calvin’s robe. But when Calvin ascended to the pulpit in the Cathedral de St. Pierre in Geneva in his black robe he looked like a … lawyer. The black gown he wore was the academic gown worn by those who had graduated from the law faculty. This academic robe signified the pastor as a teacher. He was a theologian Calvin was, of course, one of the great theological thinkers in the history of the church. He wrote The Institutes, many commentaries, many treatises and many sermons. But today when we think of a theologian we usually think of a professional academic who teaches and writes. Calvin not only preached weekly, he also participated weekly in pastoral care and discipline. He was a Presbyterian Embedded in Calvin’s work was an articulation of church officers and especially of the role of elders. Nonetheless, the Presbyterian form of church government more properly is attributed to Calvin’s followers in England and in Scotland. ---------------------- Calvin and reformed faith Introduction to Calvin and Reformed Faith Three major strains of Protestantism arose in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th century: Lutheran, Anabaptist (Mennonites and others) and Reformed. The Reformed tradition is the tradition that comes initially out of Switzerland under the leadership of Ullrich Zwingli in Zurich and Calvin in Geneva. “Central to this tradition is the affirmation of the majesty, holiness, and providence of God who creates, sustains, rules, and redeems the world in the freedom of sovereign righteousness and love. Related to this central affirmation of God's sovereignty are other great themes of the Reformed tradition: The election of the people of God for service as well as for salvation; Covenant life marked by a disciplined concern for order in the church according to the Word of God; A faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God's creation; The recognition of the human tendency to idolatry and tyranny, which calls the people of God to work for the transformation of society by seeking justice and living in obedience to the Word of God.” [G-2.0500] Ideas! Giving Up Calvin for Lent by Tammy Wiens In a year dedicated to John Calvin’s legacy, it is intriguing to note one thing Presbyterians cannot trace back to him: our practice of Lent. Those of us who choose to “give up” something for Lent are not doing so with Calvin’s blessing. More than likely Calvin would also be surprised to find Presbyterians wearing ashes on their foreheads at the beginning of Lent, because Protestants have historically avoided that practice. For many years Presbyterians and other Reformed Christians shied away from all things Roman Catholic. [Keep reading] What Does Calvin Mean to Me? by Grace Choon Kim On a hot summer afternoon in 2004, I was treated to an unexpected visit to John Calvin’s birthplace in Noyon, France. The Rev. Lee, the senior pastor of the Korean Presbyterian Church in Paris, guided my husband and me to the childhood house of Calvin, which is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Paris. Noyon is a small city with a rich historical heritage, and Calvin’s house is managed by the city as a historical and cultural site. In Noyon, we found a small two-story building with simple pieces of furniture and some of Calvin’s memories. Compared to Martin Luther’s birthplace, it was a plain and common place. I remember feeling a sense of solitude in the quiet room where Calvin lived his childhood days. [Keep reading] What Presbyterians also influenced Reformed faith? The following people also played an important role in Presbyterian/Reformed Tradition. John Knox, founder of the Church of Scotland John Witherspoon Francis Mackemie, organizer of the first presbytery in the United States Jonathan Edwards ----------------- Calvin and Society Calvin was convinced that reform of church and reform of society went hand in hand, that the church was not fundamentally a spiritual entity that was removed from the everyday lives of the people. He was particularly convinced of the Christian duty to care for the poor. Therefore Calvin led the reform of the church in Geneva to address issues such as fair interest on loans, prostitution and ethical behavior in business. At the time of his arrival, Calvin discovered that the sewers in Geneva were open, creating a serious health hazard — especially for the poor. One of Calvin’s proudest achievements was the building of a closed sewer system in Geneva. Because Calvin was convinced that mature faith required understanding, he established the teaching of catechism to the children of Geneva. This quickly became the foundation of universal literacy and education in western culture. Occasional Papers When Calvin came to call John Calvin died in Geneva in 1564, or so historians would have us believe ... by Christopher Elwood If John Calvin walked into your church on a Sunday morning, slightly after worship began, taking a spot in one of the back pews, you probably would be more than a little surprised. [Keep reading] Who, What, When, Where, Why, How Is the Church? Joseph D. Small Director, Theology Worship and Education What do we mean when we speak the word church? In everyday speech the word evokes a variety of conceptions and images that are maintained kaleidoscopically, with ever-shifting changes in pattern and hue: buildings, people, congregations, organizations, denominations, communions, and more. The situation is only marginally better when the word is used theologically, necessitating qualifiers and alternates to specify what we mean by our use of the word. [Keep Reading] -------------- Celebrate the Jubilee There are many ways to celebrate the Jubilee. Included here are a variety of ideas: conferences and other events to attend, suggestions from ideas! For Church Leaders, art to make your very own mask of John Calvin and even some ideas for personal commitments you can make to become more steeped in the literature and legacy of John Calvin. Attend a Calvin Jubilee conference Events will take place all year around the world. Find a conference. John Calvin 500! Joseph D. Small Director, Theology Worship and Education Many Presbyterians greet the news that 2009 will mark the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth with a yawn, a roll of the eyes, or even a derisive snort. Why are we so dismissive of our forebear in the Reformed tradition? Lutherans adore Martin Luther. Methodist hearts are strangely warmed by John Wesley. Anglicans even have a sardonic fondness for Henry VIII. But Presbyterians are uncertain about John Calvin and his legacy. Calvin is not a Reformed idol. John Calvin would have been pleased by our reluctance to revere him. He did not want to be idolized by future generations. In order to discourage veneration, he specified that he be buried in Geneva’s common cemetery in an unmarked grave. Contemporary visitors to Geneva may stumble upon Rue Calvin, but his house no longer stands, and no one even knows where it was. We need not put Calvin on a pedestal in order to appreciate the ways in which his perspectives on Christian faith and life have shaped Reformed churches throughout the world, and continue to shape our church today. [Keep reading] Suggestions for way to celebrate or observe the Calvin Jubilee Read Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion Observe the Calvin Jubilee by reading through John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. Choose from either of these opportunities to read together with other Presbyterians: Princeton Theological Seminary provides an online reading project — A Year with John Calvin. This interactive Web site offers the opportunity to read the Institutes and reflections papers and to comment on both. Learn more. The Foundation for Reformed Theology suggests reading the Institutes in 2009 and provides a downloadable plan for doing this at about six pages a day, five days a week (with holidays off) for 50 weeks. Download their reading plan. Read more about Calvin Visit the official bookstore of the Calvin 500 celebration for Reformed resources, including numerous works on and or by John Calvin. Who is that masked man? Calvin Jubilee 2009 to celebrate Reformer’s 500th birthday Alan Villesvik tries on an alter ego with the Calvin mask in honor of John Calvin’s Jubilee. Photo by Danny BolinSAN JOSE, June 27, 2008 — Commissioners and guests arriving at the PC(USA)’s 218th General Assembly in San Jose, Calif., encountered John Calvin — lots and lots of John Calvins. Wandering around the San Jose Convention Center, participants greeted each other from behind cardboard John Calvin masks that were distributed by the Theology Worship and Education (TWE) booth in the GA exhibit hall. “We brought 1,500 cardboard masks to announce the 2009 Calvin Jubilee, a celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformer’s birth,” said the Rev. Mark Hinds, general editor of Congregational Ministries Publishing and managing editor for Witherspoon Press. “We started passing out the masks on Friday and by Tuesday they were all gone! People were so enthusiastic about the mask. It is encouraging that Calvin is not forgotten.” Assembly participants were invited to share photos of themselves with their Calvin masks at various venues during the national meeting. Hinds hopes to extend this photo project well beyond the Assembly experience. “We want people to send us Calvin mask photos from their congregations, homes and travels,” Hinds said. TWE plans to link pictures on their Web site in celebration of Calvin’s worldwide theological influence. [Keep reading] Make your own Calvin mask Download either the 11 x 17 version or the 8 1/2 x 11 version of the Calvin mask and follow the instructions. Then send us a picture of you with your mask. Don't forget to tell us your name. Your picture may be featured online. Where in the world is Calvin? Calvin was spotted mountain biking at the Walnut Creek Park in Austin, Texas, January 23, 2009. Photo by Kaci M. Porter John Calvin was spotted at the Denominational Lunch at the APCE Annual Event in January, 2009. Photo by Karen Ferkinhoff Presbyterian Women of Stone Church of Willow Glen in San Jose, California gather for a Scottish tea and celebrated Calvin's 500th birthday. Photo courtesy of Rhonda Lakatos. Other resources Celebrate Calvin by changing the world, WARC says at launch of Calvin book. North Alabama Presbytery’s plan for the Calvin Jubilee.
	2009-03-09 12:17:07