Posted: June 17, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Today I received my Witte Travels & Tours package in the mail for the upcoming Calvin500 Historic Tour and Conference that is taking place in Geneva in less then a month, June 30th – July 10th. My plan while over in Geneva is to blog, now to which form of blogging – micro blogging, live blogging, or just a write up over each days events and sessions, well that all depends on what type of internet service I have when I get there. As of now the only certainly that I have is my hotel room every evening. I hope that I have the time and means to share with the many of you that read mine and the Calvin500 Blog of the events that take place, the papers that are addressed, the sermons that are given and whatever else comes about from July 3rd to July 10th.
When it comes to travel, I do my far share in the states, but I have never been out of North America. I mean, I have been to Canada a number of times for canoeing, hiking, camping, fishing, and like every other American to see Niagara Falls. I also once went to Mexico to help build a church for two weeks, but never out of North America. So I have a list of items that I had made the other day in which I am looking forward to and hope to do while in Geneva.
- I hope to take pictures or maybe a video camera to record the event and remember the 500th birthday of John Calvin.
- I hope to not look like the typical American in the streets of Geneva, so therefor I am refusing to take any khakis with me.
- I am looking forward to meeting and staying with Dr. Henri Blocher. I do not know much about him besides the fact that he is a French evangelical theologian, is Gunther Knoedler Professor of Systematic Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School (since 2003) and is Professor of Systematic Theology, Faculte Libre de Theologie Evangelique, Vaux-sur-Seine, France. Maybe I can get some tips in applying for my Ph.D. From him.
- Hearing more than 25 professors and pastors preach and teach on a number of different topics and selected text from the Scriptures that will be preached. Most of all I am looking forward to three of these. 1.) Dr. Bruce McCormick: “Union with Christ in Calvin’s Theology: Grounds for a Divinization Theory?” 2.) Dr. R. Scott Clark: “Calvin’s Principle of Worship” and 3.) Dr. Richard Gamble: “Recent Research in Calvin Studies.”
- Looking forward to meeting at the Paquis Pier with 25 top-scholars on John Calvin and going on a Cruise on Lake Geneva.
- I hope to find some Calvin500 B-day cake!
Those of who are interested in hearing about and keeping up-to-date in what is happening at the Calvin500 Tour and Conferences, stay tune, stay here at my blog and the Calvin500 Blog for updates.
Posted: June 16, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
I (Michael Dewalt) will be at the Genevan Conferences. I’ll be blogging or posting as often as possible. For my work, see the following.
Twitter – follow his experience in Geneva while attending the Calvin500 Tour and Conference
Facebook – look for updated status’s on what is going on during the Calvin500 Tour and Conference
Calvin500 Blog – Blogging the papers and sermons given during the Calvin500 Tour and Conference
Gospel-Centered Musings – personal blog post on the experience in Geneva during the Calvin500 Tour and Conference
Posted: June 12, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Those in Print as of now, volumes 1-4…
Volume 1 – Theological Guide to Calvin’s Institutes: Essays and Analysis Edited by, David W. Hall and Peter A. Lillback
Capturing both the best of elite scholarship, as well as exhibiting a firm understanding of and passion for Calvin’s own work, these essays by 20 elite Calvin scholars who appreciate the abiding value of Calvin’s Institutes provide definitive and section-by-section commentary on Calvin’s magnum opus. A section by section commentary on Calvin’s Institutes.
Volume 2 – Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World by David W. Hall
David Hall identifies 10 seminal ways that Calvin’s thought transformed the culture of the West, complete with a nontechnical biography of Calvin and tributes by other leaders. The Legacy of John Calvin is brief enough for popular audiences and analytical enough to provide much information in a short space.
Volume 3 – The Piety of John Calvin: A Collection of His Spiritual Prose, Poems, and Hymns by Ford Lewis Battles
The Piety of John Calvin is an anthology that promotes “a warm personal grasp” of Calvin, the man. This book seeks to show the Christian man as he saw himself, to see the Christian life as he understood it, and to examine both his theoretical exposition or prayer and his own prayers, in the liturgy and for other occasions.
Volume 4 – Calvin in the Public Square: Liberal Democracies, Rights, and Civil Liberties by David W. Hall
In the past two decades, a small cottage industry of important new scholarship has emerged documenting the distinctive Calvinist contributions to the development of Western theories of law, democracy, and human rights. In this engaging volume, David Hall offers a crisp distillation of the latest scholarly findings and a clarion call to reclaim the Calvinist pedigree of some of our most cherished political ideas and institutions.
Those to come, volumes 5-8…
Volume 5 – Calvin and Commerce, by David W. Hall and Matthew D. Burton
Is Capitalism dead? Should it be? This volume explores the seminal thought of John Calvin on business, commerce, investment, stewardship, philanthropy, and other economic areas. His thought revolutionized certain areas of life; it may be time for that revolution to be revisited.
Volume 6 – Tributes to Calvin, Edited by David W. Hall
Calvin500 marked the 500th anniversary of Calvin’s birth with an international conference in Geneva. These 24 addresses by a host of international scholars were presented in Geneva for that conference and provide one of the most comprehensive, informed, and rounded assessments of Calvin’s thought today.
Volume 7 – Commemorating Calvin: Sermons in Honor of John Calvin from Calvin500, Edited by David W. Hall
One of the signatures of Calvinism is expositing the Scriptures, and no anniversary of Calvin would be complete without preaching from modern Calvinists. Thirteen sermons, delivered in St. Pierre Cathedral as part of Calvin500, are given to commemorate the lively preaching of Calvinists today.
Volume 8 – Calvin and Culture: Exploration of a Worldview, Edited by David W. Hall and Marvin Padgett
Calvin’s thought was not confined within the walls of the church; it had a pervasive cultural overflow. Thirteen scholars each discuss an academic discipline (art, law, science, philosophy, economics, literature, music, politics, etc) and reflect on how Calvin impacted each of those and provide a salutary worldview.
For ONLY those who will be attending the Calvin500 Tour, Reformation Heritage Books will be offering all these volumes at 40% OFF!!!
Posted: June 10, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Bad news… Dr. James McGoldrick of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary will not be able to travel to Geneva for our conferences due to a family illness.
However, our readers and others would benefit from his fine paper prepared for the occasion.
This, along with 23 other essays, will appear later this year (2009) in the volume from the Tribute Conference.
Enjoy!
LUTHER AND CALVIN: COMRADES IN CHRIST
Posted: June 3, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Part of The Calvin500 Tribute Conference in Geneva during July (schedule posted here), will feature an afternoon session devoted to papers presented by Young Calvin Scholars. To present a summary of a paper at the Geneva Conference on July 8, 2009 in the afternoon, the paper (5,000-7,500 words) must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be submitted electronically in English to David Hall
- Must be submitted by June 12, 2009
- Must be in MS Word format
- Must be an original work by a registered participant that is attending the conference already
- Must be under 45 years of age
- Must have at least a Masters degree in related studies (M.S., M.A., M.A.R., M.T.S., M.Div., Th.M.)
- Must focus on some topic addressed by John Calvin, using Calvin as a primary source
Prizes will be awarded, and recognition will be given in the published volume of Proceedings from the conference. Prizes are as follows:
- First Prize $300
- Second Prize $150
- Third Prize $100
Professors, advisors, and participants are asked to spread the word and encourage some of our best young Calvin scholars to attend and present their work.
Since I reach all of the following, I decided to give it a shot. Below is a link of the paper that a friend and I wrote. I’ll be sure to write a post here in the next month letting you know if I made it or not. I’m hoping for the best, but you can read and see for yourself if I have a shot.
Calvin’s Practical View of Adoption: Its Privileges and Duties
Posted: May 12, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Released today!!!
In the past two decades, a small cottage industry of important new scholarship has emerged documenting the distinctive Calvinist contributions to the development of Western theories of law, democracy, and human rights. In this engaging volume, David Hall offers a crisp distillation of the latest scholarly findings and a clarion call to reclaim the Calvinist pedigree of some of our most cherished political ideas and institutions.
BUY here from RHB
Posted: May 11, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
To register for a Calvin500 “Conference Only” for a discount, please do so by May 15 to receive the discounted price. Of course, you may still join us in Geneva and register at the door, but the best prices (same for flights, hotels) are now!
If you wish to register for the Geneva “Conference Only” Package, assuming responsibility for your own arrangements, please register here.
Don’t miss this opportunity: grab a cheap flight, find a hotel, and meet us for these amazing conferences!
Posted: May 9, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
The Piety of John Calvin is an anthology that promotes “a warm personal grasp” of Calvin, the man. This book seeks to show the Christian man as he saw himself, to see the Christian life as he understood it, and to examine both his theoretical exposition or prayer and his own prayers, in the liturgy and for other occasions.
Buy here from RHB
Posted: May 6, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
The next volumes of our series are about to come out, released by our Calvin500 publishing partner, Presbyterian and Reformed (all volumes are available at their site or at the RHB button to the right). Or if you purchase from Amazon.com, why not request that this be included in the Kindle Store?!
The next to be released is The Piety of John Calvin by Ford Lewis Battles.
To get a sense of this, see the Foreword. HERE
Posted: May 3, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
To register for a Calvin500 “Conference Only” for a discount, please do so by May 15 to receive the discounted price. Of course, you may still join us in Geneva and register at the door, but the best prices (same for flights, hotels) are now!
If you wish to register for the Geneva “Conference Only” Package, assuming responsibility for your own arrangements, please register here.
http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=688367
Posted: April 30, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Banner of Truth has announced a release of a 7-volume set of Calvin’s letters and tracts ($80). Find the information here.
For a good review see here.
Posted: April 27, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500, You Might be a Calvinist if... |
You might be a “Young” Calvinist if…
Part of our Tribute Conference in Geneva during July (schedule posted here), will feature an afternoon session devoted to papers presented by Young Calvin Scholars. To present a summary of a paper at the Geneva Conference on July 8, 2009 in the afternoon, the paper (5,000-7,500 words) must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be submitted electronically in English to David Hall by June 12, 2009 in MS Word format;
- Must be an original work by a registered participant at the conference under 45 years of age, with at least a Masters in related studies;
- Must focus on some topic addressed by John Calvin, using Calvin as a primary source.
Prizes will be awarded, and recognition will be given in the published volume of Proceedings from the conference. Prizes are as follows:
- First Prize $300
- Second Prize $150
- Third Prize $100
Professors, advisors, and participants are asked to spread the word and encourage some of our best young Calvin scholars to attend and present their work.
Hope to see you there! And if so? let me know you are going! I’ll be live blogging and Twittering the whole Tour.
Posted: April 14, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Calvin500 is an international, interdenominational, and interdisciplinary commemoration of the life and work of John Calvin (b. 1509). Climaxing with conferences in multiple locations in 2009, this celebration combines history, spirituality, and culture to recall appropriately the life and work of the Genevan Reformer.
Dr. David W. Hall, Executive Director of Calvin500, stated its four purposeful aims as: (1) to encourage Reformed institutions, groups, and councils to have their own autonomous celebration of Calvin’s legacy during 2009; (2) to publish a commemorative series of books (below) highlighting Calvin’s work and life; (3) to host a historical tour of the major French and Swiss sites of Calvinistic heritage in 2009; and (4) to sponsor two conferences in historic Geneva in July 2009, one academic and one for expository preaching.
This multi-faceted approach seeks to introduce many people to one of the most important thinkers in history. Participants may find information about or register for the tour/conferences online at our website. We are seeking to inform a new generation about the positive contributions of Calvin. Since many people have heard only or primarily negative assessments of Calvin, in some respects we will be re-telling parts of the narrative that have been ignored or forgotten by a modernity that has often been venomous toward Calvin.
Hundreds of people will gather at St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, July 5-10, to commemorate this occasion. Leading up to that and in Geneva, tour participants will visit historic sites for themselves and see the major sites of Calvinistic heritage. We invite all to join us. You may register for the conference with 38 sessions.
Among our speakers are: Anthony N. S. Lane (England), Herman Selderhuis (Holland), Joel Beeke (USA), Sinclair Ferguson (Scotland), W. Robert Godfrey (USA), Henri Blocher (France), Geoffrey Thomas (Wales), Ted Donnelly (Ireland), John Witte, Jr (Canada), Martin Holdt (South Africa), Jae Sung Kim (Korea), and Henry Orombi (Uganda),
A complete program for the conference is posted on our “Speakers” page. Free downloads are available here.
We also sponsor an up-to-date blog with posts, reviews, comments, and information here.
Eight volumes will be published between 2008 and 2010 by Presbyterian &Reformed to commemorate John Calvin.
Those eight volumes are:
1. The Legacy of John Calvin (which begins by highlighting ways that Calvin impacted the world, followed by a brief biography and tributes). This is a short, non-technical introduction to Calvin.
2. A Theological Guide to Calvin’s Institutes: Essays and Analysis (Co-edited with Peter Lillback); this volume contains essays, each of which focuses on a section from Calvin’s Institutes by 20 top Calvin scholars. This will serve as a natural companion to Calvin studies.
3. Calvinism and Political Ideas. This volume traces the ideas and impact of Calvin and his disciples on political and governmental concepts.
4. The Commemorating Calvin Conference will contain 18 expository sermons delivered from Calvin’s pulpit in Geneva July 5-9, 2009, by some of the finest Calvinist preachers today.
5. The Tribute Conference will contain 20 research essays by leading Calvinist academics; delivered in the Auditoire (the original site of Calvin’s Academy) in Geneva, July 6-9, 2009.
6. The Capitalistic Ethic and the Spirit of Calvinism (with Matthew Burton) is a study of Calvin’s teachings on business, finance, charity, and economic matters.
7. Calvin and Culture: An Enduring Worldview (co-edited with Marvin Padgett) is a collection of essays by practitioners of various academic disciplines. Each chapter will focus on how Calvinism impacts an area of human life such as law, art, education, economics, history, medicine, etc.
8. The Piety of John Calvin, a reprint of an anthology originally collected by Ford Battles, which focuses on the practical albeit oft-ignored spirituality of the Reformer.
We cordially invite our friends to join us in Geneva for these historic conferences. We hope to celebrate the positive aspects of the Reformed faith and inspire future generations as well.
Posted: April 13, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Calvin 500 Conference Schedule here.
Posted: April 8, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
For those seeking a more economic approach to The Calvin500 Tour, flights have dropped about 25% recently. If you wish, you can now pick up a flight to Paris and return from Geneva for just a little over $800 (Like I have done), that’s down dramatically! Then register for the
Conference Only Package before May 15th for the best price, and seek lodging on your own. Some hotels will offer specials, so check Expedia.com or Tripadvisor.com.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity may be more affordable than ever!
Join me in Geneva!! And if so, let me know because I am looking for a roommate while there!
Posted: March 7, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
One of the first Calvin500 Sponsors was Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. They are hosting what is perhaps the most in depth US conference so far this year. Several Calvin500 speakers will give addresses (Terry Johnson, David Hall, Joel Beeke, and George Knight), and several other speakers will gather (Carl Trueman, Jim McGoldrick, Joseph Pipa, Timothy Terrell, Mark Garcia, Ian Hamilton, and Paul Helm) for this conference. Find the schedule and all the information here.
This looks like a wonderful conference hosted by GPTS.
Posted: March 5, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
If there is interest and availability, as part of Calvin500, we’d love to set aside an afternoon (probably either July 8 or July 9) for brief papers by Young Calvin Scholars. If you are interested and will be present, please contact David Hall or myself. Please send paper proposals or abstracts asap so we can make a decision on this. Help pass the word.
Posted: March 4, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
I bought my ticket yesterday and I cannot wait for the Commemorating Calvin Conference: A 5-day international symposium with leading Ministers in Geneva (July 5-9, 2009). For those wishing to appreciate the theology and spirituality of Calvin, the Commemorating Calvin Conference will be without parallel. Both conferences will be located in Geneva’s Old Town. If your interested in going, hurry up and get with the program and, it’s not too late to sign up for the entire tour (http://calvin500blog.org/tour/), June 30-July 10, which follows the footsteps of Calvin and visits key Reformation era sites.
If you are attending, let me know! If you have any questions on the Tour or about it, please be sure to ask me as well! As well, make sure to keep check on their blog!
Posted: February 28, 2009 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
It’s not too late to join.
We are now offering a “Conference Only” Package if you wish to join us for the sermons, lectures, and worship of Calvin500 this July. If you have frequent flyer miles or wish to arrange your own lodging yourself, there is now a way for you to attend all the conference sessions of this historic event. We cordially invite you to join us and hundreds of other friends to commemorate the life and work of John Calvin in Geneva this summer at St. Pierre Cathedral.
To register online, please go here.
Please check our blog (www.calvin500blog.org) for the most recent updates and information. And, it’s not too late to sign up for the entire tour (http://calvin500blog.org/tour/), June 30-July 10, which follows the footsteps of Calvin and visits key Reformation era sites.
Please help us by passing the word to any of your friends, elders, staff members, presbyteries, or colleagues. Free downloads are available for bulletin inserts (http://calvin500blog.org/downloads/). Would you please help us by announcing this as appropriate?
We hope to see you in Geneva for this unique opportunity for witness and praise. For the schedule of the incredible lineup of speakers, see the back of this letter.
Posted: December 31, 2008 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Calvin 500 is now taking registrations for those who wish to make their own arrangements but still attend Calvin500 in Geneva in July 2009. To register, go
here.
Posted: August 25, 2008 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500, You Might be a Calvinist if... |
You Might be a Calvinist if…
You are attending the Calvin 500 Tour! -OR- read their blog!
Posted: August 13, 2008 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500, Reformation Heritage Books |
The Calvin 500 Blog has now worked out a deal with Reformation Heritage Books for a store that is selling books on and about John Calvin for his 500th birthday. Check out the Blogshoppe now.
Posted: July 10, 2008 | Author: Michael M. Dewalt | Filed under: Calvin 500 |
Today would be John Calvin’s 499th birthday. Does that have much influence on us today? in many ways yes, but not near as much as his next birthday. In 356 days John Calvin’s 500th birthday will bring much to talk about in the legacy that he brought about to the bride of Christ. The church is in much debt to Calvin and his work with the church and in the next year, there will be a large amount of discussion I am sure. One place that I can assure you is the new Calvin 500 Blog that is lunching today. I am extremely happy to be able to be the administrator and one of the many bloggers that will partake in this blog. Along with me will be a host of men that will help this discussion about the quincentenary of Calvin’s birth. The blog will help foster a healthy discussion for an international community about events, conferences, tours, reviews, studies, discussions, and developments related to the 2009 quincentenary of Calvin’s birth. The writers that have so far committed to blogging along with David Hall and myself are; Joel Beeke, Ligon Duncan, Darryl Hart, Sebastian Hecht, Jon Payne, Geoffrey Thomas, Timothy Russell, and Daniel Wilson. Please take the time over the next year to check out the Calvin 500 Blog anf be sure to check it enormous amounts of time with updates, discussions and articles dealing with Calvin’s 500th birthday.
Gospel-Centered Musings 
