In this episode, Dr. Robert Godfrey explores John Calvin’s classic treatise on church government, focusing on the question that drove the Reformation: what is a pastor supposed to do? The discussion moves from the purpose of ministry to the practical demands of preaching the Word, the importance of clergy education, and the limits of church authority.
The Question That Sparked Reform
Calvin opens by asking, “What is a pastor supposed to do?” He is not looking for a list of duties but for the very purpose of ministry. The answer he offers is that pastors exist to edify the people of God through the Word, a role that has been neglected when clergy become more concerned with ceremony than with teaching Scripture.
The Power of the Word in the People’s Language
One of Calvin’s key points is that the Word must be heard in a language the congregation understands. He notes that the Reformation’s insistence on vernacular services was not merely cultural but theological, because a Bible read in Latin or Old Church Slavonic was effectively invisible to most people. The episode asks whether modern churches still ensure that the Word is not only spoken but truly heard.
Education and the Preacher’s Ability to Speak the Word
Calvin laments the decline of clergy education, recalling a time when many rural priests could not read and therefore could not preach. He argues that a well‑educated preacher, one who can read the original Greek and Hebrew, is better equipped to open the Word for the congregation. The discussion invites listeners to consider whether contemporary ministers are prepared to do the same.
Authority, Discipline, and the Call for Freedom
Calvin warns against unchecked clergy power, describing pride, cruelty, and boredom as “three great sins.” He advocates for a disciplined community that can practice excommunication when necessary, and he stresses that a minister’s authority should be limited to what the Word of God explicitly commands. The episode ends by posing the question of how churches today can balance freedom with the need for biblical authority.
To hear how Calvin’s ideas unfold and how they apply to the church today, listen to the full audio of “Renewing Your Mind.”