The Genevan Foundation was first formed in 2005 as an entrepreneurial effort of the entire Serven family. We produced several Psalm-singing CD’s, and by them sought to encourage the Reformation practice of singing Psalms in public and family worship. At that time we often referred to ourselves as the ServenClan. Now, however, our nine children are all grown-up and out of the house. Thus, the Genevan Foundation website has become my own site for hosting the historical and theological articles that I have written, plus a timely blog, reviews of interesting books (especially about Calvin), and announcements about my upcoming speaking events. I truly hope you will benefit from it!
Why is this website called the Genevan Foundation? Beginning from the 1530’s, Geneva, Switzerland, became the picture of a town that was transformed by the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Thanks to the reforming efforts of William Farel, Pierre Viret, and John Calvin this strategic city was liberated from spiritual darkness and became a place of enduring light. In essence, the city was transformed by the power of the Gospel. That is why the Genevan citizens chose the expression Post Tenebras Lux (“After darkness, light!”) to be their town motto. John Knox, the Scottish reformer, described Geneva in this way: “[it] is the most perfect school of Christ since the days of the Apostles. In other places, I confess Christ to be truly preached; but manners and religion so sincerely reformed, I have not yet seen in any other place.”
The true foundation of Calvin’s Geneva was its focus on the authority and sufficiency of Holy Scripture. The people flocked to the preaching and teaching of the Bible like “starving” men and women. The Bible became the foundational document for all social transformation. As scriptural principles were applied to various problem areas in Geneva this resulted in a stunning number of societal changes: hospitals were built, refugees were assisted, political officers became more accountable, laws were reformed, taxes were lowered, schools were organized, borrowing and lending was regulated, a constitution was adopted, a college was established, an effective militia was maintained, additional churches were planted, a thriving publishing industry sprung up, missionaries were sent out, taverns were regulated, and prostitution and gambling were curtailed. In short, the culture of Geneva became distinctly “Christian.”
Henry Van Til sagely observed that “culture…is religion externalized.” (Van Til, The Calvinistic Concept of Culture, 200). He went on to further explain, “The term culture has meant many things to many people…I use the term to designate that activity of man, the image-bearer of God, by which he fulfills the creation mandate to cultivate the earth, to have dominion over it and to subdue it. The term is also applied to the result of such activity, namely, the secondary environment which has been superimposed upon nature by man’s creative effort. Culture, then, is not a peripheral concern, but of the very essence of life. It is an expression of man’s essential being as created in the image of God, and since man is essentially a religious being, it is expressive of his relationship to God, that is, of his religion.” (Van Til, The Calvinistic Concept of Culture, Preface, xvii) Because the city of Geneva was so strongly affected by the Gospel, it became a desirable location for religious refugees, for new business endeavors, and for the training of doctors, lawyers, missionaries, and pastors.
On a more personal note, to me cultural transformation is an outward expression of what Jesus Christ is actively doing within my own life. As I am spiritually transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit, so is the culture all around me–my family, my friends, my neighbors, my church, my city, my region. With that personal definition in mind, my family and I have resolved to live for God and to encourage others to do the same. We are active in our church, and we are active in our community. Therefore, I am grateful to God that I live at this exciting time in history and I pray that the Lord would enable my family and me–by His grace–to fulfill the following threefold purposes: (1) to glorify God in all our thoughts, words, and deeds, (2) to lovingly serve others in Christ’s name, and (3) to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ here on earth as much as humanly possible. We do this unto the glory of God. Soli Deo Gloria!
— Dr. Marcus J. Serven
