PASTORAL CARE IN CALVIN S GENEVA RTS Washington D.C.; April 2017 Professor Scott M. Manetsch

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1 PASTORAL CARE IN CALVIN S GENEVA RTS Washington D.C.; April 2017 Professor Scott M. Manetsch Course Description This one-credit course will examine the pastoral theology of the Protestant reformer John Calvin ( ), and explore ways in which he attempted to translate this vision into actual pastoral practice in sixteenth-century Geneva. Our study of preaching, church discipline, prayer and worship, and pastoral care in Calvin s Geneva, will provide students with rich insights into the nature of the office of Christian pastor, and provide helpful points of comparison with contemporary models of pastoral life and ministry. Learning Objectives The professor has three learning objectives for this course: First, that students gain a general understanding of Calvin s life and theological contribution, with an appreciation for recent developments in Calvin research. Second, that students mature in their ability to analyze and interpret theological and historical texts. Third, that students explore ways that Calvin s theology and practice of pastoral ministry might inform and enrich their own ministries for the glory of God and the benefit of Christ s Church. Method of Instruction This course will meet on two successive days, Friday, April 28 (9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.) and Saturday, April 29 (9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.), and will include lecture, text analysis, and class discussion. Attendance is expected. Students should bring their copy of Elsie Anne McKee, ed., John Calvin. Writings on Pastoral Piety to each class session. Contacting the Professor Professor Manetsch will be available to meet with students 30 minutes after each class session, and at other times per special arrangement. After April 29, students are invited to contact the professor at smanetsc@tiu.edu, or at his office telephone at Trinity ( ). Required Course Texts Students are asked to purchase the following three texts: Scott M. Manetsch, Calvin s Company of Pastors. Pastoral Care and the Emerging Reformed Church, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2013). ISBN: Elsie Anne McKee, ed. John Calvin. Writings on Pastoral Piety (New York: Paulist Press, 2001). ISBN: Michael Horton, Calvin on the Christian Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2014) ISBN:

2 Course Requirements and Grading Student grades for this course will be determined by the following four criteria: (1) Critical Review of Michael Horton s Calvin on the Christian Life (30% of grade). This review is due on April 28 the first day of class. It may be no longer than five pages (double spaced, one inch margins, 12 cpi font), and should offer both a concise summary as well as a penetrating critical assessment of the book. Detailed instructions for this review are provided at the end of this syllabus. (2) Ministry Application Paper (50%). Students are required to write a 10 page (3,000 words) paper exploring in detail one of the following aspects of ministry in Calvin s Geneva: preaching; church discipline; worship and liturgy; catechesis; pastoral care; celebration of the sacraments. The first 2/3 of this paper must provide a clear articulation of Calvin s theological understanding underlying this ministry activity as well as a detailed description of how this ministry was practiced in Geneva in the sixteenth century. (Students are expected to draw from course material as well as original research in their analysis.) The final 1/3 of the paper should be a well-considered reflection on ways that Calvin s theology and practice might inform and enhance congregational ministry in your present church context. This ministry application paper is due no later than 5 p.m. on May 30, and should be sent as an electronic file to Professor Manetsch at smanetsc@tiu.edu. Papers handed in after May 30 will be penalized 1/3 letter grade per day unless the student has made prior arrangement with the professor. (3) Class Participation (10%). At the end of the course, the professor will evaluate the frequency and quality of each student s participation in class discussion. (4) Reading Covenant (10%). At the time that students submit their Ministry Application Paper (May 30), they will report the percentage of required course reading that they have read (not skimmed) during the semester. Students will receive a numerical grade, based on the percentage read. (E.g. a student who reads 75% of required material will receive 7.5 out of potential 10 points = C grade.) Schedule of Topics and Reading Assignments Before April 28: - Students read Michael Horton s Calvin on the Christian Life and write a 5 page book review. - Students read Manetsch, Calvin s Company of Pastors. Class Session One (April 28; 9:00 a.m. noon): Topics: Introduction; The Reformation of the Pastoral Office

3 Class Session Two (April 28; 12:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.) Topics: John Calvin and Geneva; Pastoral Vocation. Assignment: After class, please read McKee, 39-63; ; Class Session Three (April 29; 9:00 a.m. noon): Topics: Pastoral Ordination; Worship and Liturgy; Preaching. Class Session Four (April 29; 12:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.): Topics: Church Discipline; Pastoral Care. Assignment: After class, please read McKee, ; ; Ministry Application Paper Due May 30, 2017

4 Guide Sheet for Book Review Each student will write a critical book review of Michael Horton s Calvin on the Christian Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2014). This review should be no more than 5 pages in length, double-spaced with normal one-inch margins and 12 cpi font. Please provide a cover sheet with your name, postal address, and the date. The review is due on the first day of class, April 28, The review is worth 30% of the student s grade for the semester. The written review must include the following elements: Introduction: In addition to introducing the author and title of the book you are reviewing, the first paragraph of your paper should provide a brief overview of the book, describing the subject matter, and explaining necessary background information. The center-piece of this introduction should be a succinct statement of the author s major thesis or arguments. The Book Summary: The major portion of your review should contain a carefully crafted explanation of the author s major thesis/theses and a general summary of the book s contents. Consider the methods and sources that the author employs to prove his central arguments. Ask yourself: What is the author concerned about? Why? What is new or unique in the author s treatment of this topic? How is this book different than other treatments on this same subject? You may also wish to mention details in your summary that will become evidence in the critical evaluation section of your review. Nevertheless, this first descriptive part must not contain a critical evaluation of the book (positive or negative). Instead, a good summary provides an objective report of the book s major themes and arguments. Your objective is to summarize the book in such a way that, if the author were present, he would say that s exactly what I was arguing. NB Please avoid quoting extensively from the book. This summary should be in your voice, not the language of the author! The Critical Evaluation: In the final pages of the review you should provide a thoughtful critique of the book. How well does the author use his sources? Does he successfully defend his thesis/es? Does the evidence bear out the author s conclusions? Are there flaws in the author s reasoning or the book s organization? Does he propose new approaches, use any major new documents, propose new interpretations, challenge existing interpretations, or present old information in new ways? What are the major strengths and weaknesses of the work? If you judge the book to be interesting, provocative, boring, or significant, explain why or how. If you did not like the book, say so, but support your opinion with solid reasons. In other words, the critical evaluation requires you to state and defend your opinion of the book. NB -- a critical evaluation must always be gracious and polite. Avoid cheap shots or ad hominem arguments! Conclusion: In a final paragraph, briefly summarize the argument of your review and provide a concluding assessment (whether positive or negative) of Horton s monograph.

5 Calvin Research: Some Basic Resources I. Calvin Bibliography: The best place to begin intensive scholarship in Calvin studies is the bibliography that has been compiled each fall since 1960 in the Calvin Theological Journal. This excellent bibliography includes journal articles and books published in more than a dozen languages. It can be accessed on-line at Complementing this bibliography are several important books and bibliographical essays: Chung, Sung-Kuh. Bibliography on Calvin and Calvinism. Seoul, Dowey, Edward A. Studies in Calvin and Calvinism since Church History 24 (1960): Erichson, Alfred. Bibliographia Calviniana. Nieuwkoop, Note: this is a reprint of original edition of Gamble, Richard. Recent Trends in Calvin Research, In W. H. Neuser, ed. Calvinus sacrae scripturae professor. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, Kempf, Dionysius. A Bibliography of Calviniana, Leiden: Brill, 1975.Lane, Anthony. Recent Calvin Literature: A Review Article. Themelios 16 (1991): McNeil, John T. Fifty Years of Calvin Study. In W. Walker. John Calvin: The Organiser of Reformed Protestantism, nd edition. New York, Niesel, Wilhelm. Calvin-Bibliographie, Munich, Tylenda, Joseph. Calvin Bibliography, Calvin Theological Journal 6 (1971): II. Calvin Biography: The most important monographs exploring Calvin s life and thought are: Bouwsma, William. John Calvin, A Sixteenth-Century Portrait. New York: Oxford University Press, A controversial, yet very influential, interpretation of the divided impulses of Calvin s thought and theology. Carbonnier-Burkard, Marianne. Jean Calvin. Une Vie. Paris: Desclée de Brouwer, Cottret, Bernard. John Calvin. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, A recent translation of a highly regarded French biography. Crouzet, Denis. Jean Calvin. Paris: Fayard, Recent study of Calvin by one of France s best cultural historians. Doumergue, E. Jean Calvin: les hommes et les choses de son temps. 7 Vols. Lausanne, Though hard to find, this book remains the most detailed study of Calvin s life ever written. Gordon, Bruce. Calvin. New Haven: Yale University Press, Will probably be the standard English biography for many years to come. McGrath, Alister. A Life of John Calvin. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, Especially strong in providing the historical context and long-range impact of Calvin s life and thought. Parker, T.H.L. John Calvin. London, A short biography with a novel thesis regarding the dating of Calvin s conversion to Protestantism.

6 Selderhuis, Herman. John Calvin. A Pilgrim s Life. Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity Relies particularly on Calvin s letters to paint an intimate portrait of the reformer. Walker, Williston. John Calvin: The Organizer of Reformed Protestantism, New York: G. P. Putnam s Sons, Despite its age, one of the best biographies of Calvin in English. Wendel, François. Calvin, Origins and Development of His Religious Thought. Trans. Philip Mairet. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, A reprint of the English translation of the old, but very insightful survey of Calvin s life and thought. Written from a neo-orthodox perspective. III. Encyclopedias and Handbooks: The best reference resources for Reformation studies generally, and Calvin research in particular are: Brady, Thomas, Heiko A. Oberman, and James Tracy. Handbook of European History, Vols. Leiden: E. J. Brill, The bibliographies following each chapter are valuable. Haag, Eugène and Émile, eds. La France protestante. 10 volumes. Paris, This remains the standard source to identify obscure pastors and leaders of French Protestantism during the early modern period. Hillerbrand, Hans, ed. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation. 4 Vols. New York: Oxford University Press, An excellent starting point for research in the Reformation period. Don t miss the bibliographies following each entry. Kerr, Hugh T. A Compend of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Christian Education, Maltby, William S., ed. A Guide to Research II. St. Louis, Missouri: Center for Reformation Research, McKim, Donald, ed. The Cambridge Companion to John Calvin. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Provides an excellent introduction Calvin s life, theology, and legacy. Ozment, Steven, ed. Reformation Europe: A Guide to Research. St. Louis, Missouri: Center for Reformation Research, Though outdated, still has insight into Reformation research of an earlier era. Selderhuis, Herman, ed. Calvin Handbook. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, An outstanding resource for general and bibliographical information about Calvin s biography, theology, and legacy. IV. Journals: A variety of academic journals contain articles and book reviews related to Calvin and Calvinism. The most important are:

7 Archiv für Reformationsgeschichte. This well-respected journal contains many articles in English. Once a year, the editors of the ARG publish a supplement called the Literaturbericht in which the most important books on the Reformation from the previous year are reviewed. Bibliothèque d humanisme et renaissance. As the title suggests, focuses on sixteenth- century French literature and culture. Bulletin de la société de l histoire du protestantisme français. A journal more than 120 years old that contains an enormous amount of obscure information about Calvinism in France from the sixteenth century to the present. Calvin Theological Journal Church History. Has occasional articles related to Calvin and Calvinism. Sixteenth Century Journal. The most important journal for Reformation studies, although the focus of articles is frequently on social and cultural rather than intellectual history. V. Primary Sources: The definitive edition of Calvin s writings remains Ioannis Calvini Opera quae supersunt omnia (known as the Calvini Opera; abbreviated as CO), edited by G. Baum, E. Cunitz, and E. Reuss (59 vols., ). The CO includes most of Calvin s writings in their original Latin and French versions. It can now be purchased in electronic format from the Instituut voor Reformatieonderzoek (Apeldorn, The Netherlands). In recent decades, the CO has been expanded by several volumes of Calvin s (French) sermons, entitled collectively the Supplementa Calvini. A smaller collection of Calvin s Latin writings are found in P. Barth and W. Niesel (editors) five volume Ioannis Calvini Opera Selecta ( ). The definitive bibliography of Calvin s original language writings is now the three volume Bibliotheca Calviniana, edited by Rodolphe Peter and Jean-François Gilmont (1991, 1994, 2000). In addition, W. de Greef s The Writings of John Calvin (Baker, 1993) offers an excellent survey and description of John Calvin s vast literary corpus. Although serious Calvin scholarship employs Latin and French editions of the reformer s corpus, a variety of English translations of Calvin s writings are also available: * Anthologies of Calvin s Writings: Calvin: Theological Treatises. Ed. J.K.S. Reid. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, John Calvin, Selections from his Writings. Ed. John Dillenberger. Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, John Calvin, Writings on Pastoral Piety. Ed. Elsie McKee. New York: Paulist Press, Tracts and Treatises on the Reformation of the Church, John Calvin. Ed. Thomas Torrance. 3 Vols. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdman s Publishing Co., 1958.

8 * Commentaries: Calvin s Commentaries. Eds. David Torrance and Thomas Torrance. Grand Rapid, Mich.: Eerdman s Publishing Co., present. To date, this series includes all of Calvin s commentaries on the New Testament, but only his commentaries on Daniel and Ezekiel from the Old Testament. Thus, this series does not altogether supplant the older English translation of Calvin s commentaries, published in Edinburgh in , and reprinted by Baker Books in * Institutes of the Christian Religion: Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536 edition). Ed. Ford Lewis Battles. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1541 edition). Ed. by Elsie Anne McKee. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559 edition). Ed. Ford Lewis Battles. 2 Vols. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, This is the definitive edition of Calvin s Institutes in English, and is much preferred to the old, less readable Henry Beveridge translation. * Letters: Letters of John Calvin. Ed. Jules Bonnet. 4 Vols. New York: Burt Franklin Reprints, * Sermons: Calvin s Sermons. Ed. Leroy Nixon. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, John Calvin s Sermons on Ephesians. Trans. Arthur Golding. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, John Calvin s Sermons on 2 Samuel Trans. Douglas Kelly. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, John Calvin s Sermons on the Ten Commandments. Trans. Benjamin W. Farley. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, John Calvin, Writings on Pastoral Piety. Ed. and Trans. Elsie McKee. New York: Paulist Press, Contains several of Calvin s sermons, in translation. Sermons on Isaiah s Prophecy of the Death and Passion of Christ. Ed. T. H. L. Parker. London, * Theological Treatises and Catechisms: Apology of John Calvin, to Messrs. the Nicodemites upon the Complaint that they make

9 of his Too Great Rigor. Trans. Eric Kayayan. In Calvin Theological Journal 1994 (29): The Bondage and Liberation of the Will. Ed. Anthony Lane. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, Calvin s Calvinism: Treatises on the Eternal Predestination of God and the Secret Providence of God. Trans. Henry P. Cole. Grand Rapids, Mich., 1987) Calvin s Ecclesiastical Advice. Trans. Mary D. Beaty and Benjamin W. Farley. Louisville, Kent.: Westminster/John Knox, Calvin s First Catechism. Ed. I. John Hesselink. Louisville, Kent.: Westminster John Knox Press, Concerning Scandals. Trans. John Fraser. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God. Trans. and Ed. J.K.S. Reid. London, Reply to Sadoleto. In A Reformation Debate, Calvin/Sadoleto. Ed. John C. Olin. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, Treatises against the Anabaptists and against the Libertines. Trans. Benjamin W. Farley. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1982.