Just as a follow up, I am reading John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine & Doxology edited by Burk Parsons and published for the 500th anniversary of his birth this year. This is an accessible and non-technical book by pastors and scholars to expose us to the real Calvin and not simply Calvinism as a system reduced to five points and a caricature. So far so good, although I’m only into the first couple of chapters.

Anyway, in chapter 1, “The Humility of Calvin’s Calvinism”, Parsons writes

According to [one of his biographer’s] Parker, Calvin “had a horror of those who preached their own ideas in place of the gospel of the Bible: ‘When we enter the pulpit, it is not so that we may bring our dreams and fancies with us.’” Calvin was not concerned wth offering to his congregation the quaint meditations of his own heart. Although it has become popular in may churches for the pastor to strive to “pour out his heart” to his congregation, such was not Calvin’s aim in his preaching, for he had offered his heart to God alone. As a result, Calvin did not think it was profitable to share the ever-changing passions of his own heart, but to proclaim the heart of God in His never-changing Word. Calvin was not concerned that his congregants behold him but that they behold the Lord. This should be the aim of every pastor, and, if necessary, every pastor should place a placard behind his pulpit with the following words inscribed: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21). Such was Calvin’s aim in his preaching and in all his life. [p8, footnoting removed]

That’s Calvin apparently, and so much of it sounds right, but I still wonder about the passionate example of Paul (that’s the Apostle, not you, Grimmo) who often revealed his heart and spoke of his struggles - both for himself and for others - and said that people knew all about his way of life, and even to imitate him as he imitated Christ.

Anyway, Paul (Grimmo), I may be taking your post off on a tangent, in which case, feel free to remove my remarks and start a new thread with them on a subsequent day!

Paul,

I have been aware of this tendency in myself for a long time - which won’t surprise anyone who reads my blog! I knew I was protecting myself in some way by telling others the worst about myself, but couldn’t figure out how. Thank you for spelling it out.

At the same time, like you, I can see the value of honesty about my sin when it benefits others.

I found your practical comments in response to Sandy’s comment, on how to know when openness about my sin is appropriate or inappropriate, very helpful. Would you consider turning them into a practical follow-up post? I know I would appreciate it as I think about how to be godly in this area!

I discussed similar issues about honesty and self-diclosure here and here in response to Simone’s post here: have a look, I’m sure you’ll be interested. I’d like to hear your comments on my list of “7 ways honesty helps”, if you have a moment - do you agree? Would you add anything?

Thanks again for reminding me to keep thinking hard before I open my mouth - or press “post”!

Yours in Christ,

Jean.

Hi Jean and Sophie,

Thanks heaps for your contributions. I will respond briefly to each.

Jean: I loved your seven points but I think I found your last point (after the 7) most helpful! Honesty is indeed a starting point rather than an end point. As with all things, the motivations of our heart and the desire to love God and love our neighbour will tell us whether our honesty has been well used or abused. Honesty must be a step towards obedience or it becomes like 1Cor 13:1-3, a clanging cymbal!

Sophie: Thanks so much for entering the discussion. From where I’m sitting, 25 is still pretty young (he says longingly - what has happened to the last decade?) One of the things that your post reminds me of is to keep praying for the work of God’s Holy Spirit in people. Sin is so devious and deep seated that it can even turn the truth into weapon. Someone can seriously, faithfully and wisely share the truth about their lives and we can still turn it into an excuse to stop struggling with sin.

Your post also made me think a bit about some stuff I have been reading lately about changed hearts. External rules don’t deal with the problem and so legalism never works. I think that there’s probably another post in that, so I will say more soon.

Grimmo.