The World's Great Sermons, Volume 01: Basil to Calvin — Story, Setting & Ideas

Calvin's Definition of True Faith

In the excerpt, Calvin sharply distinguishes between what he calls an "opinion of men" and genuine faith. He writes that believing the things preached about Christ is not sufficient; one must not doubt that the benefits of Christ are given to oneself personally. Calvin insists that true faith involves a confession that one is "holy, godly, righteous, the son of God, and certain of salvation"—not by merit but by God's mercy. This assurance, he argues, is what separates true believers from those who merely hold correct doctrines.

Calvin directly addresses objections: some, he says, mock this assurance as arrogance, preferring to call themselves miserable sinners. He counters that such humility is a denial of faith, citing Paul's warning about those who depart from the faith. The sermon thus presents a polemical edge, positioning itself against both Catholic and skeptical voices.

The Role of Works and Perseverance

While emphasizing grace alone, Calvin does not dismiss the need for perseverance. He warns that believers must "fear and tremble" to continue in faith, but not as if salvation depended on their own strength. Instead, fear arises from the possibility of temptation moving one from faith. This nuanced view balances assurance with vigilance.

Calvin criticizes those who believe they are made righteous by their own works, calling this a "forged imagination." He argues that such a view has been persecuted by the pope, bishops, and universities for over five hundred years, leading many to hell. The sermon thus ties doctrinal precision to historical conflict, framing the Reformation as a recovery of true faith against institutional opposition.

Editorial Framing and Selection Criteria

Kleiser's preface reveals that the sermons were chosen not only for literary merit but for their relevance to Christian living. He acknowledges that early sermons may not seem fitted to modern needs but claims they contain a distinct message for later generations. The volume aims to show progress and changes in homiletic matter and methods over time.

The catalog subjects list only "Sermons" and "letters-speeches," but the excerpts show a strong doctrinal focus on justification by faith. Readers should note that the selection reflects early twentieth-century editorial tastes, emphasizing rhetorical power and practical piety over historical context or biographical detail. The volume includes an introduction by a Yale professor, suggesting an academic audience.

Readers approaching this volume should be aware that the sermons are presented as models of preaching, not as historical documents with full context. The excerpts from Calvin, for instance, are dense with theological argument and polemic. To appreciate the sermons fully, consider the rhetorical strategies each preacher uses to persuade and instruct. The collection rewards those interested in the development of Christian homiletics and the enduring questions of faith and assurance.

Reading Calvin’s insistence on faith over works brought me back to Sunday evenings at my grandmother’s table, her worn Bible open beside the butter dish. She never preached, just lived it. That same quiet certainty surfaced again in Inspiration and Interpretation Seven Sermons Preached Before the University of Oxford — Themes and Context, where the weight of scripture felt less like argument and more like a held breath. Both books left me sitting still, listening.