The following letter is the first installment in what will be a series of letters to John
Calvin. These “Dear John letters” are meant to speak for those who are wrestling with
whether to stay in the Christian Reformed church or divorce the church that they’ve
loved. Rather than trying to solve theological mysteries, these letters are intended to be
a place to live into the questions themselves and wrestle with the joys and challenges
(and let’s just say it: trauma) that can come from being part of a reformed church body
today.
I will sign the letters under the pseudonym “Jane Calvin”, not as a way to hide my
identity, but as a symbol of a new voice in reformed theology – one whose purpose is to
speak for those who feel their voices have been left out in reformed circles since the
Reformation. It’s also intended to unearth the softer side of John and Calvinism.
Maybe together we can discover that although he had a lot to say, John Calvin left some
room for mystery too. Dare I say he would be considered a Christian Reformed Mystic?
By “mystic” I mean someone who had powerful personal encounters with the Holy Spirit
even while wrestling himself with his faith? Let’s find out.
Lisa A. DeYoung, DMin student
a.k.a Jane Calvin
Dear John,
I’ve been reading more lately about your life and history. We have a professor here at Calvin Seminary that has made your history more accessible in a short volume called, An Explorer’s Guide to John Calvin. I find it fascinating to read about how the Protestant Reformation unfolded and evolved. I discovered that you used a pseudonym for your own writing, “Charles d’Espeville”, when you felt you were in danger for your Protestant views and fled to the South of France. And of course we know that this was just the beginning of your troubles.
Honestly, this makes me feel a bit foolish, as I’m using a pseudonym just for fun and have never actually felt that my life was in danger for my religious views. I feel grateful for the freedom to write and to ask questions, yet I too know the fear in my gut that comes when I feel I’ve said something that others will find offensive or written a question that might lead some to cry, “heretic!”
I’ve often wondered what would happen in our modern-day church community if we found ourselves under actual persecution – the kind where our lives were at stake. Most of us can’t even imagine this, let alone imagine what we would do in the situation. I’ve often used the analogy that if we all-of-a-sudden found ourselves together in a burning building or in an earthquake (you name the crisis situation…) or face to face with guns pointed at our heads, we probably wouldn’t consider the arguments we are currently wasting time on, but we’d help each other to safety. For the purpose of example, let’s just say that during Synod, 2023, an active shooter entered Calvin’s Fine Arts Center (heaven forbid) and threatened to unleash his or her fury on us for creating such a division in the church. Would our first thoughts be, “But I’m really not sure the Bible says…” or “Wait just a minute, we have to figure this thing out…”?
I hope this sounds as ridiculous to you as it does to me. I hope that our first thought would be, “Lord, save us!” and then almost as quickly, “How can I help everyone to be safe?!” AND YET, back in your day, a man named Michael Servetus held so strongly to his beliefs about the Trinity that he was willing to die and be burned at the stake over his disagreement with you!
So, maybe my analogy isn’t all that helpful after all. But maybe it can help to focus how strongly we would cling to our arguments. Would we be willing to sacrifice our lives or the lives of others in order to be right about who we believe God to be? History tells us we wouldn’t be the first to do so, and in fact, it seems that people were often respected for being martyred over things like this and frankly revered for putting others to death. I can hear the echos of Paul stoning Stephen over what he thought was Biblical and right. I hear the Jews chanting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” certain that what they were doing was appropriate in the situation with Jesus.
John, I wonder, after all this time if you’d look back and say it was all worth it. Would you regret anything at all? Does the death of Michael Servetus still bother you? Afterall, the tables could have been reversed and it could have been your head on the chopping block in Paris when your views seemed too radical for the Roman Catholic environment you were in. Would the arguments be worth it? Or would you say now that you wished you could have all drank from the Spiritual well and found peace and joy in community with one another?
I’d like to think that the reflection of God’s grace on this earth is still found in the fruits of the Spirit. Where we find love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is where we find God. I realize this is easier said than done, but in my naivete I’d still like to think that this is the place where we would find one another if we committed to drinking from the same Spiritual well. ,
Honestly John, I’d rather not see history repeat itself. I’m praying for a better way.
Your sister in Christ,
Jane
I like this blog so much, bookmarked. “Respect for the fragility and importance of an individual life is still the mark of an educated man.” by Norman Cousins.
I’ve been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
You have brought up a very excellent points, thankyou for the post.
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic site!
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to ?return the favor?.I am trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
I’m in awe of the author’s talent to make complex concepts accessible to readers of all backgrounds. This article is a testament to his expertise and passion to providing valuable insights. Thank you, author, for creating such an captivating and illuminating piece. It has been an absolute pleasure to read!
Greetings, I believe your blog may be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic website.
I believe that avoiding processed foods would be the first step in order to lose weight. They may taste good, but highly processed foods have very little vitamins and minerals, making you take in more to have enough electricity to get throughout the day. If you are constantly eating these foods, moving over to whole grain products and other complex carbohydrates will assist you to have more vigor while feeding on less. Good blog post.
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
Whats up very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I’m satisfied to find numerous useful information right here within the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Very well written article. It will be helpful to anyone who usess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I?m going to watch out for brussels. I?ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Someone essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Fantastic job!
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
I have learned some new things via your web site. One other thing I would like to say is that often newer personal computer operating systems often allow far more memory to be played with, but they furthermore demand more storage simply to function. If people’s computer is not able to handle a lot more memory and also the newest computer software requires that memory space increase, it can be the time to shop for a new Computer. Thanks
Perfect piece of work you have done, this website is really cool with wonderful information.
very good jon mate. very useful to me thx
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
okmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I?ll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Thanks for your article. It is unfortunate that over the last several years, the travel industry has already been able to to deal with terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu, swine flu, plus the first ever real global downturn. Through everthing the industry has proven to be effective, resilient plus dynamic, finding new tips on how to deal with adversity. There are continually fresh complications and the opportunity to which the sector must yet again adapt and reply.
There’s noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made sure good points in options also.
I am constantly thought about this, thanks for putting up.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this info for my mission.
I used to be suggested this website by my cousin. I’m now not positive whether or not this submit is written by him as no one else recognise such detailed about my difficulty. You are amazing! Thanks!
Thanks , I have recently been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain in regards to the source?
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Howdy would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a fair price? Thanks, I appreciate it!
You have observed very interesting details! ps decent website . “Do not quench your inspiration and your inmagination do not become the slave of your model.” by Vincent Van Gogh.
Thanks for the good writeup. It in reality used to be a entertainment account it. Glance complex to far brought agreeable from you! However, how can we keep in touch?
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
very good jon bro. it helped me a lot tahnxss ALL SMO TOOLS Site
excellent points altogether, you simply gained a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
Good write-up. I certainly appreciate this website. Continue the good work!
As a Newbie, I am continuously exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
I am so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best doc.
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some excellent details , I besides believe this s a very wonderful website.
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve truly loved surfing around your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing for your rss feed and I am hoping you write again very soon!
It is in reality a great and helpful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I gotta bookmark this internet site it seems extremely helpful handy
Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
I went over this web site and I think you have a lot of fantastic information, saved to fav (:.
Respect to author, some excellent selective information.
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any points for beginner blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before. So good to seek out someone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is something that is wanted on the web, somebody with somewhat originality. useful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
Hey there I am so happy I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was looking on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the awesome work.
I was suggested this blog by way of my cousin. I’m not certain whether or not this post is written by way of him as nobody else realize such exact about my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thank you!
My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking into your web page repeatedly.