wfn.org | John Calvin Shows Up for Spiritual Formation Dinner

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99110 
25-June-1999 
 
       John Calvin Shows Up for Spiritual Formation Dinner 
 
 
FORT WORTH--John Calvin made a surprise visit to the 211th General Assembly 
and addressed the Spiritual Formation Dinner, expounding on Sabbath 
keeping.  "God commanded that we keep the Sabbath, and that should be 
enough," he said.  "Do you think you know better than God?  You are fools 
to think that your wisdom is superior to God's....God would not have told 
us to do something that was not for our own good!"  
     John Calvin was actually Brad Kent, an associate for spiritual 
formation for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  He excerpted Calvin's 
writings from the "Institutes" and personal letters to illustrate how 
supportive Calvin was of Sabbath keeping, an aspect of spiritual formation 
gaining a new emphasis in Presbyterian circles.  Sabbath keeping involves 
spiritual feeding and genuine rest.  The Congregational Ministries Division 
has formed a Workgroup on Sabbath Keeping (but see Fort Mirth column on 
page 4). 
     Kristine Haig, a PC(USA) associate for spiritual formation, introduced 
Steve Doughty, executive of Lake Michigan Presbytery, a member of the 
workgroup, who described its purpose. The workgroup is to study the 
Biblical and theological basis for Sabbath keeping, to explore its 
historical observance, to understand the connection between Sabbath keeping 
and social justice, and to discern how Sabbath keeping can become a way of 
life for Christians today. 
 
Bill Lancaster 

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