John Piper's Invitation

"While it becomes man seriously to employ his eyes in considering the works of God, since a place has been assigned him in this most glorious theater that he may be a spectator of them, his special duty is to give ear to the Word, that he may the better profit." (Institutes, I, 6, 2)

Commemorating the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth, the aim of this conference is to sanctify the name of God through Jesus Christ. We say it like that because Calvin said, "The aim of everything is the sanctifying of God's name" (Commentary on John 14:13). "Hallowed be Thy name" is the great prayer. The great purpose of the universe. The great passion of Calvin's life.

And he knew there was only one way to succeed - keep the fullness of Jesus Christ and his work in view: "This, therefore, is the only means of retaining, as well as restoring, pure doctrine: to place Christ before the view such as He is with all His blessings, that His excellence may be truly perceived" (Commentary on Colossians).

We have chosen the theme With Calvin in the Theater of God because he saw this world as God's theater where the glory of God himself was ever on display. He meant primarily the natural world. We will apply it to the universe of nature and the historical stage of history. The universe and history are not silent. They are always telling the glory of God. Day and night pour forth speech.

And when the spectators are blind because darkness covers the mind, God sends his Son, the Light of the world, into this theater so that his crucifixion and resurrection might be forever the dénouement in the drama of redemption on the stage of the universe.

The topics are chosen to help ordinary people see the relevance of Calvin's vision for their lives - personally and publicly.

At Work and Worship in the Theater of God: Calvin the Man and Why I Care
Julius Kim

The Sacred Script in the Theater of God: Calvin, the Bible, and the Western World
Douglas Wilson

The Secular Script in the Theater of God: Calvin on the Christian Meaning of Public Life
Marvin Olasky

The Broken Stage in the Theater of God: Sin and Suffering in Calvin's World
Mark Talbot

The Final Act in the Theater of God: Calvin on the Joy of the Last Resurrection
Sam Storms

Jesus Christ as Dénouement in the Theater of God: Calvin and the Supremacy of Christ in All Things
John Piper

We are eager to have you join us at the conference as we hear from these men, learn from Calvin, and see and savor our matchless Savior, Jesus Christ.