<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>John Calvin drew from patristic authors in a selective manner. His preference for the theological perspectives of Augustine is readily evident. Nevertheless, while he resonated with the doctrine of Augustine, he touted the interpretive and homiletic labors of John Chrysostom. Even though Calvin’s <italic>Institutes of the Christian Religion</italic> critiqued Chrysostom’s understanding of grace and free will, the Antiochene bishop is the most frequently referenced patristic author within Calvin’s commentaries. Calvin composed a preface to a projected edition of Chrysostom’s homilies (<italic>Praefatio in Chrysostomi Homilias</italic>). This preface argued for the necessity of reaching the general public with secondary aids along with the scriptures, explained Calvin’s esteem for Chrysostom’s homilies above other patristic texts, and acknowledged the theological dissimilarities that separated his views from Chrysostom’s. The <italic>Praefatio</italic>’s assessments reveal Calvin’s own hermeneutical, pastoral, and theological priorities. Calvin’s evaluations of Chrysostom and the other fathers are a window into his own interpretive concerns, homiletical aims, and dogmatic emphases.</p></abstract>

John Calvin drew from patristic authors in a selective manner. His preference for the theological perspectives of Augustine is readily evident. Nevertheless, while he resonated with the doctrine of Augustine, he touted the interpretive and homiletic labors of John Chrysostom. Even though Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion critiqued Chrysostom’s understanding of grace and free will, the Antiochene bishop is the most frequently referenced patristic author within Calvin’s commentaries. Calvin composed a preface to a projected edition of Chrysostom’s homilies (Praefatio in Chrysostomi Homilias). This preface argued for the necessity of reaching the general public with secondary aids along with the scriptures, explained Calvin’s esteem for Chrysostom’s homilies above other patristic texts, and acknowledged the theological dissimilarities that separated his views from Chrysostom’s. The Praefatio’s assessments reveal Calvin’s own hermeneutical, pastoral, and theological priorities. Calvin’s evaluations of Chrysostom and the other fathers are a window into his own interpretive concerns, homiletical aims, and dogmatic emphases.

Calvin’s Preface to Chrysostom’s Homilies as a Window into Calvin’s Own Priorities and Perspectives

Perichoresis

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

John Calvin drew from patristic authors in a selective manner. His preference for the theological perspectives of Augustine is readily evident. Nevertheless,...

Calvin’s Preface to Chrysostom’s Homilies as a Window into Calvin’s Own Priorities and Perspectives

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2019

Pages: 57 - 71

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2019-0028

Mots clés
biblical interpretation, Calvin, Chrysostom, hermeneutics

© 2019 Paul A. Hartog, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Calvin’s Preface to Chrysostom’s Homilies as a Window into Calvin’s Own Priorities and Perspectives

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2019

Pages: 57 - 71

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2019-0028

Mots clésbiblical interpretation, Calvin, Chrysostom, hermeneutics

© 2019 Paul A. Hartog, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Mots clés
biblical interpretation, Calvin, Chrysostom, hermeneutics