Review of The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steven Lawson

Mike Leake

John Calvin. 

What came to mind when you read those words?  Do you think of a heretic that burned people at the stake?  Is he a hard-edged egotistical maniac that sat in an ivory tower writing theology books?  Or perhaps you think of him as your theological hero.  Some may even think maybe he’s a guy that sells jeans and cologne.  Regardless of the John Calvin you think you know Steve Lawson has made the argument, and numerous others with him, that Calvin should fundamentally be thought of as a pastor and a preacher. 

That is why Lawson has written this book, The Expository Genius of John Calvin .  Lawson wants us to consider Calvin the Preacher and the way he went about the sacred task of declaring Christ to men through the preached Word.  But he does not merely want us to admire Calvin; Lawson wants us to emulate him.  As his stated goal proclaims:

The goal here is not to take a sentimental journey—the hour is too desperate for such a triviality. Rather, the aim of this book is to raise the bar for a new generation of expositors.  The method is to see what a commitment to biblical preaching looks like by examining the work of a man who was sold out to this sacred duty.  (xii)

Lawson offers eight chapters on the preaching of Calvin that is filled with 32 distinctives.  Lawson begins with a brief biography and then covers everything from the preparation of the minister, the message itself, the delivery of the sermon, and the conclusion of the sermon.  Through we read from Calvin himself and are also introduced to a good amount of Calvin’s sermons. 

If you pick up this book thinking that Calvin is a cold dictator, a distant theologian, or a passionless teacher you will be surprised that you do not know the Calvin that stood in the Genevan pulpit.  Calvin modeled what Lloyd-Jones called theology on fire in his preaching.  Truly there is much to learn from Calvin.

I do think that occasionally Lawson will overstate his case.  At the end of each chapter it seems as if he puts Calvin on a pedestal and then asks, “where is Calvin today”.  The closing of every chapter seems to follow a formula.  Calvin was X, we desperately need X today, so be X. 

I understand that Lawson is attempting to use the life of Calvin to motivate preachers today to emulate him—and Calvin’s preaching is certainly worthy of emulation.  But at times it seems like Lawson is saying nobody today is doing X and this is why the church stinks—so maybe if you start doing X things will get better.  I assume this is not his intention or his heart.  But I simply find this a dangerous approach to encouraging men in ministry.  We don’t need another John Calvin.  We need people to be who God has called them to be in the generation God has called us to.  Follow Calvin, yes.  But God isn’t calling you to be the next John Calvin.  He’s calling you to be a you that is utterly transformed by the gospel. 

Even with that being said this book is very beneficial.  You can ignore a few of the overstatements and learn from Lawson and Calvin.  He is right we need faithful expositors in our day just as Calvin was in his.  I guess I’m just more optimistic that God is and has risen up many gospel-centered expository preachers in our day.  Men that exude much of these 32 distinctives whether they’ve even heard of John Calvin. 

I am not going to encourage every preacher to go out and buy this book.  But I would certainly say that it is worthy of adding to your library.  Those that love church history (preacher or not) will appreciate learning about Calvin the preacher.  Those going into ministry could learn a ton from this work.  Those in ministry could learn a ton.  Actually the greatest thing this book offers is presenting Calvin as the preacher he truly was.  Many could think they are preaching like Calvin but they are boring “exegetes” that aren’t even engaging in expository preaching.  We all could learn from someone like John Calvin to stoke the fire of the gospel in our preaching ministries.   

I received The Expository Genius of John Calvin free from Reformation Trust in exchange for a review.  But you’ll have to buy it for 10 bucks .

Why I’m Not Doing a Series of Devotions on Revelation Even Though A Good Number Wanted Me To…

Mike Leake

One of the things I want to do is use my writing ministry more in my ministry here at Jasper.  So, to this end I hope to start writing daily (maybe somewhat daily) devotionals going through a particular place in Scripture.  A few people (some on Facebook others in person) suggested that I go through Revelation.  At this particular time I am not and here is why:

Mostly it is because, I can almost guarantee that I have a different view of Revelation (eschatology) than 90% of our members.  That’s okay.  I’m not afraid of having a different view, nor am I embarrassed of my view.  But I do think that eschatology (end times) for some is a hot button issue.  So I will briefly share my view of the end times (without much explanation) and then close with why I am going to start these devotions at another place in Scripture. 

-My core belief on eschatology is that Jesus wins, and fully redeems the church He bought with His blood.  That’s the story. 

-I don’t believe the church is secretly raptured before a seven year period of tribulation.  Nor do I believe the church is raptured half way through, or any other time.  I believe in the second coming, but not a secret rapture of the church.  Here is a brief explanation of this position…

-I could probably sum up what I don’t believe by saying I disagree with the Left Behind books, though I think they are well written fiction.  I disagree with Hal Lindsey though I do like his mustache. 

-I don’t think the Middle East is the center of Bible prophecy.  I am not what is called a dispensationalist.  I do think that there may be a great conversion of Jewish people, but I don’t think that God has a special plan for ethnic Israel and a special plan for spiritual Israel. 

-I don’t think you should read Revelation as an end times manual.  So, if I did a study on it you would continue to hear me say day after day “Christ is the conquering King, that is what this text is about”.  And that wouldn’t be a bad thing but I can do that from other texts that aren’t as loaded with controversy. 

-In line with this fundamentally Revelation is not a “revelation of the end times” it is “the revelation of Jesus Christ”.  Yes it may be about “the things that will soon take place” but at the center of the story is the conquering King Jesus and not the Tribulation Force.

-I’m either a historic premillenialist or an amillenialist.  If you know what that means good.  If not, don’t worry about it. 

Okay those are a few of my general eschatological views.  So why am I not going to do a series (at least now) on my interpretation of Revelation?  Because it would cause more trouble than what it is worth.  What I mean is that I can proclaim to you the message of Revelation (as I understand it) from a ton of other places that are not loaded with controversy. 

Yes, Revelation is essential to Scripture.  And, no I’m not refusing to teach the entire Word of God.  I’m just saying that I’d rather start somewhere else…

If you have any questions, or want more explanation on these views, then feel free to leave a comment or email me at mike@fbjasper.org

Quick Review of Soulprint by Mark Batterson

Mike Leake 1 Comment

You are unique.  And this is a gift from God.  Mark Batterson writes Soulprint in the hopes that we will discover our God-given unique identity.  He does this through looking at the unique life of King David. 

There are seven chapters in this book, though Batterson frames them more like a story with an opening, scenes, and a closing act.  The first chapter (opening) serves as an introduction to Batterson’s main thesis that the best way to worship God is to be uniquely you.  The next five chapters read like large devotions centered around the central theme and the life of David.  The closing act attempts to tie it all together and encourage us to live out our destiny.  I should mention there are also discussion questions at the end of the book. 

Batterson is a pretty good contemporary writer.  He fits well within the pop-Christian sub culture and it is easy to see why he has a large following.  Whether that is positive or not I will leave for you to judge.  But you will not be bored reading this book.  The author does a great job of sharing engaging stories and making his point in practical ways.  You can tell that he is a pastor (a mega-church pastor at that). 

But would I recommend this book?  I do agree with Batterson’s major premise that God has uniquely created us and part of our worship is being who God created us to be.  But there are several things missing here.  For one there is not much discussion of the church.  My identity is individual but it is also corporate.  So there is a decent amount of ecclesiology that is missing in this book and could help with living out your identity. 

Also I have never been a big fan of the “be like David” type of books.  In the end this more a “be yourself” book but it is also a “David was himself”.  It’s never wrong to use biblical people as examples but it can run the risk of muting the gospel.  There is nothing here that is overtly anti-biblical or un-biblical but I think Batterson may be working from the wrong foundation.  There should be more imago Dei, more ecclesiology, and frankly more Jesus. 

I would love to interact with this book more but it’s pretty run of the mill stuff:  have confidence in God, remember what He has done, have integrity, be authentic, don’t be defined by sin, and use this book as a jumping point to your journey of self-discovery.  But these all are very stand alone and rather than explode out of the gospel as an implication it seems that Batterson is assuming the gospel and saying, “now do these things”.

You can buy Soulprint for $9.40

I received this book free from Multnomah in exchange for a review.

Please…Don’t Ignore Me!!!

Mike Leake 2 Comments

Are you paying attention to this article?  I sure hope you are.  I mean I REALLY hope that you read this an pay attention.  Not because I particularly care about you, and not even because I really care about Jesus.  I hope you read this article because it helps me to bow to my idol: His name is attention.

I could maybe blame other people for this “good desire” gone bad.  Maybe I developed this really strong desire because I found myself miserably alone and ignored in grade school.  Maybe it has something to do with my family of origin.  I could mention quite a few other excuses as well.  But they aren’t legit.  I’m not fundamentally a victim.  I’m more an aggressive idolater than I am a victim.  I want attention.  And I quite often want it more than God.

My idolatry is as old as the Garden.  Adam and Eve had God’s attention.  But they wanted more.  They didn’t want grace-centered attention.  They didn’t want Creature-creator attention.  They wanted God-like attention.  Fundamentally, they wanted to be God and receive glory as He does.  So they exchanged the glory of God for that which is created.  And in the process they exchanged the good attention of God for an inauthentic, shame-filled, mock attention–where they hide from God and only show him what they want Him to see. 

My heart cries out something similar, “Please, don’t ignore me!”  And it affects everything I do.  My humor is muddied by this idol.  If it will get me a laugh (attention) then holiness is secondary.  My preaching and writing is often driven by this idol.  That’s why I beat myself up after every sermon.  Or why I wait after every post to see who is reading.  This is one reason I study so hard.  Why I write so much, and sadly sometimes it is why I preach.

It’s painful to admit to myself that my mandate is often, “so live and so study and so serve and so preach and so write that Mike Leake be the only boast of this generation” when the mandate in my office reads, “so live and so study and so serve and so preach and so write that Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen God, be the only boast of this generation”.

And you know what happens when I’m not the only boast of this generation?  Do you know what happens when I feel ignored?  Anger, depression, shame, etc.  I sin on top of sin.

But it’s even worse when I do have attention.  My attention morphs into pride, misplaced joy, and idol worship.  And rightly enough it never satisfies (because only God can satisfy) so I hunger for more attention even in the midst of basking in it.  And then soon enough even when I get the attention I so passionately long for I get depressed because I know two things:  it’s not real and it won’t last. 
I’m not a helpless victim.  I’m an idolater and it has left me barren.

But hold on!  That is NOT fundamentally my identity.  I am NOT an idolater.  I have been redeemed by Jesus Christ.  This is part of the process of holiness.  He is ripping this barren and empty idol out of my life and out of my heart.

This holiness IS VERY PAINFUL!  I’m seeing my very identity being mauled, ripped, torn, mocked, and ultimately I’m watching the thing I have built my life around come crashing down.  That hurts.
But as He is ripping this foolish idolatry out of my heart He is satisfying my every longing with Himself.  I’m not sure what comes first.  Does He increase my joy in Him and therefore I let go of idols easier?  Or does He just rip out the idol and slowly in its place replace it with cruciform love?  I don’t really care.  All I know is that He is wounding me, injuring me, and tearing me into pieces but at the same time He is healing, restoring, and building me up in Christ.

So I’m making war.  Painful war on the flesh.  I’m making war to be satisfied in Jesus and Him alone and not to feed my idolatrous desire to have the attention of others.

This is the wonderful Christian life…