Liberal theologian, A.M. Hunter, in his book, THE TEACHING OF CALVIN, wrote that: “Certainly he [Calvin] displayed no trace of missionary enthusiasm.” He made that statement either out of prejudice or ignorance. Others have said that Calvin’s horrible doctrine of predestination makes nonsense of all missionary and evangelistic activity. However, the truth is that one of the consequences of Calvin’s doctrine of predestination is an intensified zeal for evangelism and world missions. Some people have used Calvin to justify their unconcern for evangelism; but a careful study of Calvin’s life, actions, doctrines, and influence on successive generations will prove him to be a man truly committed to both evangelism and world missions.

Calvin’s most thorough exposition of predestination is his book, CONCERNING THE ETERNAL PREDESTINATION OF GOD. In that book he wrote: “Since we do not know who belongs to the number of the predestined and who does not, it befits us so to feel as to wish that all be saved. So it will come about that, whoever we come across, we shall study to make him a sharer of peace…even severe rebuke he administered like medicine, lest they should perish or cause others to perish. But it will be for God to make it effective in those whom He foreknew and predestined.”