John Calvin dedicated himself to two goals which he found in the preaching of John Chrysostom, one of the greatest Christian preachers ever who lived from 350-407. These are still admirable goals after all these years – nearly 500 since Calvin and 1600 years since Chrysostom!
Jack Rogers and Donald McKim summarize the two goals: “Chrysostom had attained two goals to which Calvin dedicated himself. One was that Chrysostom never strayed from a clear elaboration and explanation of the biblical text. The second was that Chrysostom spoke with the common people in mind” (pages 114-15, The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible; cited by Sidney Greidanus, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament, p. 127).
I wonder how many of my sermons attain those two goals? How about your sermon for Sunday? Does it pass the “Chrysostom test”?
Posted by Steve Mathewson at 11:43 AM on June 26, 2008
