The Necessity of Reforming the Church

“Every generation has the responsibility to pass on the evangelical heritage of the Reformation to the next generation. At the core of this heritage is the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. However, no less central to the Reformation are the divine authority of Scripture alone and worship to the glory of God alone. Even in this day of resurgent Calvinism, many Christians might be surprised to learn that Calvin placed worship according to God’s commandment alongside the gospel as the two chief doctrines by which Christianity maintains its vital force—the very soul that animates the church. At a time when many evangelical Christians relegate the methods of the church to the pragma- tism of ‘whatever works,’ Calvin’s treatise is a silver trumpet sounding a clarion call to return to simple obedience to God’s Word.”

“Among Calvin’s many treatises and letters, these two are outstanding and deserve your close attention. They were written at a turning period in his ministry and at a crucial point in the history of the Reformation. They reveal his gifts as a humanist scholar, as a defender of the Reforma- tion, and as a pastor who cared for the spiritual well-being of the flock. He knew that the Reformation had recovered the gospel and that Rome sought to persuade evangelicals to sell their birthright for a pottage of salvation by grace and works. These are truths we need to hear and learn again.”

“For those who wrestle with the place of the church in the midst of change and challenges, this new translation of The Necessity of Reforming the Church will be a welcome guide. Though it was written in a time so different from ours, its pastoral and practical teachings on the Word of God and the church remain relevant as it offers clarity and priority, qualities we often lack in the present-day church.”

“I am delighted that these tracts by Calvin are now available in conve- nient form and fresh translation. Both his A Reply to Sadoleto and The Necessity of Reforming the Church direct us to the heart of Calvin’s pur- suit of reformation: the worship, doctrine, discipline, and sacraments of the church. Here we do not find the eloquent prose of the Insti- tutes, honed through several decades in five editions, but the passionate rhetoric that is reminiscent of Luther’s 1520 tracts. Calvin’s question must be pondered by today’s officers of Christ’s church: ‘since God . . . openly hates what we support for worshiping Him beyond His com- mand, what do we profit by doing anything to the contrary?’ Now as then, the ‘infinite forest’ of corruptions in worship and polity entails ‘monstrosities of idolatry’ and exercises ‘harsh and especially harmful tyranny over souls.’ This is essential reading for understanding Calvin’s faithfulness in serving Christ’s church.”

“Written in the mid-sixteenth century, these two works by John Calvin are as relevant today as they were in those days. The twenty-first century church must hear Calvin’s arguments about the need for reformation according to the Word of God. Unfortunately, many churches in the Protestant tradition have fallen back into the theological deviations and errors of the Roman Catholic Church during the medieval period. Not a few have swerved from the simplicity of worship that God revealed in the Scriptures and introduced other gospels, such as the theology of prosperity, the movement of signs and wonders, and the modern apos- tolic movement with its Judaizing teaching. On the other hand, churches that were once Reformed have adopted theological liberalism and let themselves be seduced by modern culture, accepting immoral behaviors clearly condemned in the Scriptures. Let us heed Calvin’s call for a refor- mation in our day.”

“What a great treasure Reformation Trust has opened to us with this wonderful new translation by Casey Carmichael of two of Calvin’s most important works. Here speaks the well-trained lawyer pleading for the case of Christ’s church in his impressive letter to Sadoleto and his for- midable exposition on what the church of Christ needs to be alive and dynamic. These words were written down long ago, but every reader will see that they are as relevant for today’s church as never before. Calvin wanted to serve God and His people, and he still does, as this work shows. So, let’s start using this rich, scriptural material for the well-being of the church and for the glory of God.”