Sermons on Job

Testimonials

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1. 

   Michael Shirley – September 13, 2022

   This collection by John Calvin is a cluster of fruit, much wisdom was given to the writing of these works. They are well worth the money to purchase such learning for our Christian life.Let God be glorified to the practicing of that which were taught.

2. 

   sunnyolsen – October 5, 2022

   The Holy Spirit used John Calvin to preach sermons to the struggling reformed church of the 16th century and to this day no one preached better!
   Every sermon is a masterpiece and every page loaded with eternal wisdom. But they are also enjoyable to read and worth reading more than once.
   I only wish more of his work was available in modern English. The church of today desperately needs what the Spirit gave to this Reformer.

3. 

   @diveindigdeep – February 8, 2023

   How does suffering show us God? In Sermons on Job, Banner of Truth presents John Calvin’s 159 sermons preached on the Book of Job.

   Vibrant and Flowing

   Divided into 3 volumes, this expository work is a wonder. Translated from the original French by Dr. Rob Roy McGregor, the modern English text is vibrant and flowing. What I most appreciated about this translation is that McGregor gave each sermon a title! These titles are one-sentence summaries of the big idea for the text. They are typically a central truth supported by the Scripture. This helps to track Calvin’s thought while showcasing a theological framework for Job.

   The sermons seem relatively lengthy at around 10-15 pages, but they read quickly. Calvin stays true to the text by getting to the point and applying it well. He begins by quickly noting Job’s character. Even before his trials, Job is declared to be whole and upright. Calvin calls Christians to a life of holiness and to abstain from evil. Calvin does not pull his punches. His directness is refreshing and invigorating to read.

   God’s Sovereignty and Justice

   God’s sovereignty is an obvious theme throughout the book. When explaining what first happens to Job, Calvin declares that God has “sovereign authority over all creatures and even has a leash on Satan and all the wicked in this world.” God remains at the center of the story and Calvin does not miss him for the details.

   While examining the speeches from Job’s friends, Calvin ultimately lands on the justice of God. With God in his courtroom throughout the book, Calvin admonishes us to “learn to enter into ourselves and acknowledge our sins and accuse ourselves before God.” This is to present ourselves in the true light of Christ, where we can ask forgiveness of our sins before the Judge. When done with sincerity, it is here, Calvin says, where we will find grace and mercy. These books are a treasure, filled with riches from the Word of God.

   Enlightening, Delightful, and Inspiring

   I was most interested to read what Calvin had to say about Elihu. He sees Elihu as a young man who has done his homework. Elihu ridicules and reproaches Job’s friends for being too simplistic. He condemns Job as well. Calvin sees holy zeal in Elihu, someone who needs to speak the truth, and who was given by God the ability to speak. I can’t help but wonder if Calvin saw himself in Elihu, and I can imagine the passion from Calvin as he delivered these sermons.

   Calvin concludes the book of Job by stating that Job did seek forgiveness, but also sought to be taught. I am moved to do the same. Reading Calvin’s sermons will enlighten and delight. To read the words of the Reformer is inspiring. His heart to communicate God’s truth in the common language is on full display along with his love for the just, sovereign, and holy Lord.

   I received a media copy of Sermons on Job and this is my honest review.

4. 

   R.S.M. – December 20, 2023

   Pros: I absolutely love the translation and content. It’s as if Calvin speaks directly to you and most of the sermons are easily understandable to the lay man. This has been a great tool to amplify teaching on many subjects across scripture.

   Cons: Two honest gripes, the Calvin – 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus sermon series seem superior to the Job three volume.

   The verses being talked about were in italics, for easy pin pointing what specific verses were being talking about, maybe, this is exactly how Calvin wrote his Job sermons but this editor method would have been great as they were in the other series.

   Biggest gripe was at the end of every sermon Calvin would have the most beautiful prayers written out in the later series. In the Job series it usually says “Let us bow before the face of our gracious God, etc”, very lazy to not include his prayers and write “etc” instead. I feel ripped off that I have 159 missing prayers in these volumes when the other series included all of them.

   Read this prayer from Sermons on 1 Timothy by John Calvin pg.640 and tell me why they shouldn’t be included in these copies.

   “In the meantime let us cast ourselves down before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and asking him to make us feel then more than we have done before. From now on may we each learn fulfil our duties and responsibilities, as we endeavor to assist our neighbors and to bear eachothers burdens. May we continue to exalt our gracious God, that he may sustain us by his power and goodness to the very end. And may he so increase in us the gifts of his Holy Spirit that we may more and more be conformed to the image of his glory, until we are at last made new in his heavenly kingdom.”