John Calvin as Counselor: Pastoral Wisdom from His Letters

About this episode

Dr. Michael Mock discusses John Calvin's pastoral counseling through his letters, revealing a compassionate model of soul care.

We welcome Dr. Michael Mock to discuss his D.Min. dissertation on John Calvin's pastoral counseling through his correspondence. Drawing from Calvin's letters, Mock shows how the Reformer cared for people amid grief, anxiety, marital conflict, abuse, persecution, and suffering with theological depth and compassion. The conversation challenges the caricature of Calvin as cold or detached, highlighting his attention to the whole person—mind, heart, and will—and his confidence in God's providence, prayer, Scripture, and the ministry of the local church. Calvin's letters reveal a model of soul care that remains deeply relevant for pastors, elders, and church members today.

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Michael Mock

Topics covered

• pastoral counseling
• John Calvin
• theological depth
• soul care
• grief
• anxiety
• local church

Keywords

• John Calvin
• pastoral wisdom
• letters
• grief
• anxiety
• marital conflict
• suffering
• theology
• local church

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