wfn.org | CRC Talk on John Calvin Starts January Series

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> Talk on John Calvin Starts January Series

Jan. 7, 2008 ? Protestant reformer John Calvin, whose 500th birthday will be celebrated around the world this year, believed in a separation between church and state, but not a separation between religion and politics, said John Witte, Jr., on Wednesday in the opening presentation of Calvin College's annual January Series.

"For Calvin it was the responsibility of the church and state to protect and promote the law and liberty of Geneva (where Calvin served for many years)," said Witte, a law professor at Emory University.

"And, in turn," said Witte in his prepared remarks provided before his speech, "it was Geneva's commitment to the rule of law and regime of liberty that allowed church and state to separate and yet cooperate in the governance of a Christian republic."

Running through the end of the month, the January Series features talks by prominent church leaders, scientists, historians, journalists, and a musical presentation from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the college's Fine Arts Center. The series is free and is also being broadcast to 22 Web sites, including one in Canada.

Before he started his formal presentation, the law professor from Emory University said it made sense to begin the celebration of
Calvin's 500th birthday in Grand Rapids, Mich., and particularly at Calvin College. "No institution has done more to preserve and enhance the legacy of this great Genevan reformer."

Witte is Jonas Robitscher Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion Center at Emory University. He is a specialist in legal history, marriage and religious liberty. He has published 23 books and some 150 articles and has lectured around the world.

After sketching the many changes instituted by Calvin, such as placing the pulpit above the altar and making the Bible more accessible to ordinary people, Witte said the Calvinist approach has thrived for five centuries because of a "relentless program of teaching and preaching, publication and education, discipline and charity."

Calvin's teachings transformed theology and the church as well as had an important impact on law and the state. He didn't deny the state's ability to conduct war and to punish criminals for heinous acts. But he did make it clear that God's law, as contained in the 10 Commandments, was to be held supreme.

"The purpose of political government and law, said Calvin, is in essence to help God achieve the civil use of law ? to cultivate civil righteousness in all persons, if necessary through the coercive use of the sword," he said.

Above all, freedom under God was a hallmark of Calvin's teachings. "Calvin called for freedom not just of Protestants, but of all peaceful believers, including Catholics, Jews, Turks and Muslims. He denounced the forced baptisms, inquisitions, crusades, and other forms of religious persecution practice by the medieval church and state," said  Witte.

Among other presenters for the series will be best-selling author David Kinnaman, whose presentation is being sponsored by Christian Reformed Home Missions.  Kinnaman wrote the recent book, unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity. His January 22 lecture will touch on many of the themes in the book, which compiles useful research for church leaders about how the un-churched view Christianity.

Kinnaman, president and strategic leader of research firm The Barna Group, is frequently quoted in major media outlets such as USA Today, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He is considered an expert on trends related to teenagers, vocation and calling, young leaders, and generational changes. Since joining Barna in 1995, he has designed and analyzed nearly 500 projects for clients including Campus Crusade for Christ, Compassion International, Easter Seals, Focus on the Family, Prison Fellowship, World Vision, Zondervan and many others.

For the entire line up for the January Series visit http://www.calvin.edu/january/ .

> Chris Meehan, CRC Communications

> -- Chris Meehan
> News & Media Director
> Christian Reformed Church in North America
> 1-616-224-0849