their approach. Still, all of the ser- mons retainedan expositorycharac- ter and in almosteverycase, nuggets of insight that were not apparenton a straight-forward readingof the text came as a result of digging into the original languages. While it seemed to naturally flow from the preacher's style rather than purposely inserted for this occasion, these references to the original ianguages was suitable given Calvin'semphasison the for- ma1 training of ministers including the teaching of Hebrew and Greek. Preachingfrom Calvin's pulpit and before a congregation that includ- ed many renowned preachersand scholars is an unusualexpenence, and most acknowledged that they felt an unusual sense of prinlege as they preparedfor this assignment. Ugandan archbishop Rev. Henry Orombi reflectedthe sentimentof many when he contrasted his "fear of standing in the pulpit of John Calvin" with his desire to "be a faith- ful servant of Jesus Chnst." Noting how much he still had to leam in the schoolof grace, he noted, "l am not a very good student, but He is a very n4tiPnt tecehcr " It is tempting, but ultimately unveri- fiable, to claim Cahrn's endorsement as justification for our or.rn uews. Yet, I do agreewith the delegate who. rvalking lrom the sanctuary af- ter the last evening, suggested to me that Calvin would've approved of this conference, ''if for no other rea- son,than the God-glonfying, Christ- uplifting preaching which we have heard from this pulpit." It was the power of the word whrchwascentral to Calvin'svision for the growth of the church, and for at leastfive days in early July 2009, that power was evident from Calvins pulpit. Calvin's 500th Personal reflections RAY PENNINGS If we celebrated the fiftieth or one-hundredth anniver- SZI] (or multiple there-of) for every event of historical significance, there would not be time for much else. However, that the 500th anniversary of John Calvins birth on July 10, 2009 prompted conferences aroundthe rvorld, the publicationof manl' volumes, and articles in newspapers including the Washington Post, Nclr \brh Times and the Wall Street Journal, is indicative of John Calvin's signi fr cance. Born and raised rn a Reformed setting, I havealways considerecl J,.hn Cal- vin as a person o[ ireat significance although admittedly, his personality has always seemed al-'r..i and hard to identifywith. Truth be told. asa ihrid (and even still), I find \tanrn Luther's character more interesting. ,lllhruqh as I matured and incre.rs::ljvread in Reformed theology, thereu'as l;::..' ioubt in my mind that I ri'rs i L.rl\1nist.What impressed me sincem\' :rc:.1{eyears, when I first tackle; :le Instifutes, was that in Calvin is [r'ru:r;.i svstem that not only made sen-- ..i horv I might standjustified befr.rclio.i :lter I die, but also how I mi*h: ii.,ntv God while I am alive. Being .rlrr.c ',vis s!)mething more than a preFi:.i::.':.for etemityand beingmadereadr' :.' i:c. I wasnow equipped to realjr' .:',': And so Geneva. :: Ilerre's Cathedral, the I-auditoire ;ni hrstorical sites associated wrth C:.',-.:. :eve speclal significance and I L.okcd fonvardto the opportunity [o e\:{:-..:.1' them first-hand. My first imp:.'ssions were dis- appointing. On li.': r.r:;rda)' I arrived,Geneva hosteda rive-type event. I wandered from r:-.r :..:.:. io explore old Geneva and r,l'as me: bv crowds who seemed dressed::..':'J :.':.r ga1'pride parade than a Calrin ...n[erence. I no- ticed a downtou:: -:r':;.i that sported period-cartoorrs pt'rs'.rd on its walls, mocking Cah'rn;:.: ;.ii:rism. Throughout the citl'u'erc advertisements for a Calvin plai' . :'. ::iher investigation, it appeared the production was "a caustic look .:: .,'.'.-.:. $'hich, the website assured, was not redemptive towards Calvin " \rl:'..i j llearly wasnot excited aboutthe CalvinI had come to celebrate. That changed li..: ::':r: :.rming as several hundred, perhaps as many as a thousand, gathr':.:* : :'.r '::irp at the historicSt. Pierres Cathedral. There rs something abou: .:r.:-::.r:.J:n{ the physical space that Calvrninhabitedthat helps understan- :.-.. r.i:'...i-\' rn a differentway Knowing that Calvrnsuf- fered various ph'.::-.:..::.:'..'its. I climbedthe steps from the iower city to the cathedral (93 unc'..::. :i.ri rnd felt some pain in my knees. The privilege of sittingin St.Pierc: . :ri...r:;r. davafter day, listening to the faithfulexposition of God's word. rc:'..:.:. j :'.. t'rf rvhatit must have beenlike to live in Geneva and to hear the ::... ::'::-llng s'hich Calvin delivered. I realized that the thousands of rei'.:i.:.:. 'r :..' -.rrne to Geneva took in that preaching, and even- tually fanned ou: : ::-':.'. -..unlries in the world which in Gods providence. caused the sprea; : ':.: i.:-':rned faith. I also realized how privileged we are in our day,wher.: ::.',:,- -: .1,: ibundance of literature in print and electronic form, while fir'e-'::.'-:.':- li.' :he pnnted word wasstill relatively scarce, and l2 Christian Renewal Septembel 09,2009 -tt.h ^f thp nn- ' r' -