Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- List of abbreviations and notes about citation
- Introduction
- Part I The critical task
- Part II An exploration of some pre-modern readings of 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thomas Aquinas and 1 Thessalonians
- 3 John Calvin and 1 Thessalonians
- 4 Conclusion to Part II
- Part III A proposed reading of 1 Thessalonians
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index of Biblical references
- Index of authors
- Index of subjects
3 - John Calvin and 1 Thessalonians
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 November 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- List of abbreviations and notes about citation
- Introduction
- Part I The critical task
- Part II An exploration of some pre-modern readings of 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thomas Aquinas and 1 Thessalonians
- 3 John Calvin and 1 Thessalonians
- 4 Conclusion to Part II
- Part III A proposed reading of 1 Thessalonians
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index of Biblical references
- Index of authors
- Index of subjects
Summary
Introduction
John Calvin's theological thinking and study of Scripture enjoyed an organic relationship, the two aspects of Calvin's thinking developing reciprocally. For Calvin the touchstone for all doctrine was Scripture itself, and theology was only ever an aid to purer understanding of the Word. Calvin's frequently cited preface to his 1559 Institutes definitively indicates that his theology pivoted around ‘right reading’ of Scripture:
it has been my purpose in this labour to prepare and instruct candidates in sacred theology for the reading of the divine Word, in order that they may be able both to have easy access to it and to advance in it without stumbling … If, after this road has, as it were, been paved, I shall publish any interpretations of Scripture, I shall always condense them, because I shall have no need to undertake long doctrinal discussions … In this way the Godly reader will be spared great annoyance and boredom, provided he approach Scripture armed with a knowledge of the present work.
Calvin's life project was to expound the Bible's clear message. His first Biblical commentary was a commentary on Romans published in 1540, written during a productive sojourn in Strasbourg between 1539 and 1541. Six years later, he published his commentary on the Corinthian correspondence, and in 1548, commentaries on Galatians and 1 and 2 Timothy; in 1549, commentaries on Hebrews and Titus were completed. In 1551, he published his commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Theological Hermeneutics and 1 Thessalonians , pp. 100 - 130Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2005