Calvin’s Critique of Charismatic Calvinists

Drawing from Calvin's seminal work, "Institutes of the Christian Religion," Lawson highlights Calvin's critique of those who wrongly appeal to the Holy Spirit while forsaking Scripture. Calvin refers to them as spiritual lightweights, individuals who desire direct revelation from God without the diligent study and exposition of His Word. Calvin's scathing words emphasize the importance of grounding one's faith in the certainty of Scripture and the danger of abandoning its authority.Central to Calvin's message is the exclusivity of biblical authority. He ardently believed that there is only one stream of revelation: the Bible. In contrast to the two streams proposed by the Catholics and Charismatics of his time, Calvin adamantly asserted that the written Word of God alone should guide the church. This exclusivity of Scripture forms the foundation of Calvin's theological convictions.Furthermore, Lawson delves into Calvin's emphasis on the priority of biblical preaching. Calvin recognized that the diminishing of the pulpit occurs when two streams of revelation are accepted. By upholding the primacy of the written Word of God, Calvin underscored the crucial role of biblical preaching in nurturing the faith of believers and combating false doctrines.Lastly, Lawson explores Calvin's conviction regarding the unity of the Spirit and the Word. Calvin understood that the Spirit and the Word are inseparably joined together. Rejecting the division caused by two streams of revelation, Calvin maintained that the Spirit works through the written Word of God. The unity of the Spirit and the Word in biblical teaching and preaching was paramount to Calvin's theology.Throughout the episode, Steve Lawson's insightful commentary illuminates Calvin's unwavering commitment to Scripture and his unwavering defense of its authority. By highlighting Calvin's timeless convictions, Lawson challenges listeners to consider the importance of biblical authority and biblical preaching in their own lives and in the church today.Join us on this enlightening journey as we delve into the rich tapestry of John Calvin's teachings and the enduring impact of his emphasis on the priority of Scripture and biblical preaching. "Men Who Rocked the World" presents the extraordinary stories of individuals who made an indelible impact, and this episode on the legacy of John Calvin will inspire and encourage all who seek to follow in his footsteps.