Calvin, commenting on Galatians 3:1, writes, "Let those who would discharge aright the ministry of the gospel learn, not merely to speak and declaim, but to penetrate into the consciences of men, to make them see Christ crucified, and feel the shedding of his blood. When the Church has painters such as these she no longer needs the dead images of wood and stone, she no longer requires pictures; both of which, unquestionably, were first admitted to Christian temples when the pastors had become dumb and been converted into mere idols, or when they uttered a few words from the pulpit in such a cold and careless manner, that the power and efficacy of the ministry were utterly extinguished."
Clearly, Calvin does not intend to stir ministers of the gospel to a kind of emotional excitement in the pulpit. Instead, his exhortation underscores the church's need for the clear and unequivocal proclamation of Christ crucified. Calvin is right. The church needs not practitioners of the latest church growth methodology (even that of the emergent church); rather, she needs faithful servants of Christ who will open the word of God, declaring nothing more or less than what God himself has revealed and disclosed in his only begotten Son. Or, do we think ourselves wiser than God? The church needs not props, but the proclamation of Christ! The church needs not a few words of encouragement from Lord's Day to Lord's Day, but the word of Christ explained and applied in all its detail and glory. May God grant his churches ministers who will eschew the latest and the greatest, and instead labor to declare the perfect and sufficient word of Christ by the power of the Spirit of Christ.
