wfn.org | TCN: Christians in Taiwan eager to learn more about Calvin

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2976 Edition

>March 9~15, 2009

Christians in Taiwan eager to learn more about Calvin

>Reported by staff reporters

>Written by Lydia Ma

Churches and seminaries across Taiwan are remembering John Calvin’s  contributions and his faithfulness to God’s calling by holding  seminars, exhibitions, and special courses.

Taiwan Christ Ching Ping Association organized a seminar by inviting  Taiwan Theological College and Seminary Professor Lin Hong-Hsin to give  a lecture entitled “Calvin the Man” on March 1st . Lin  emphasized that Calvin’s years in exile and the dangers faced by  early Protestant believers equipped him become an important leader in  theology and prepared the way for him to formulate theological doctrines  such as predestination and absolute sovereignty.

Lin reminded listeners that corruption among religious leaders was  rampant during the Protestant Reformation. The sale of indulgences to  build St-Peter’s Basilica is only one example of corruption and  should serve as a reminder to churches today that big is not necessarily  better. Another moral of this story is that Christians should constantly  examine themselves to see whether they are relying on God or depending  on money.

Lin also noted that, faced with the dangers and pressures of the  Christian Reformation, there were times when Calvin lacked courage.  However, a letter Calvin wrote to a friend at the time reveals that he  still chose to respond to God’s calling and live and die for  Christ. Lin remarked that it is difficult to rely on free will to reach  a goal, as evidenced in Calvin’s life, and we need to answer  God’s calling before we can fulfill our destiny and be strengthened  in our weaknesses.

Taiwan Theological College and Seminary unveiled an exhibition entitled  “Calvin and Taiwan” on March 6th to introduce Calvin’s  legacy and his impact on Taiwanese churches. Seminary officials believe  the spirit of the Protestant Reformation is reflected clearly in the  relationship between Taiwanese churches and Taiwanese society and they  hope the exhibition will allow churches to get to know this great  theologian.

In southern Taiwan, Chiayi presbytery decided to hold a three-month book  club open to anyone interested in knowing more about Calvin’s  theological perspectives. The book club will be held from March 2 until  June 8 at a local church and is being sponsored by Tainan Theological  College and Seminary and Chiayi presbytery.

According to reports, more than 60 people from 20 different churches  attended the book club during its first session, including more than 10  clergy members. Discussion was very lively and many attendees remarked  that, being members of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, it was  important to know about Calvin’s basic teachings so as to pass on  his legacy. The warm reception surprised event organizers, who plan to  transform the book club into a continuing education course offered at  Tainan Theological College and Seminary.

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