Next year is the 500th anniversary of this important and popular sermon series on 1John. These twenty-one sermons by Oecolampadius were preached every evening during Advent in December 1523 (leaving out Sundays). Though it was a weekday (evening) series, the lectio continua style of straightforward, comprehensive Bible teaching (1) represented an historic reclamation of patristic expository preaching, and (2) set the standard that would be implemented by ordinance in all the pulpits of Basel some five years after these sermons were published. Though Oecolampadius was gone by the time Calvin arrived in Basel, every church in town was ringing with the form of preaching offered here. There can be no doubt that Calvin will have had a copy of the series, which sold through several editions in multiple languages very quickly. Surely for this reason, among others, Oecolampadius can be called, and indeed he has been called, Calvin's "spiritual father."
Not only are the sermons lively, accessible, and illuminating, Oecolampadius' selected book of the Bible, The First Epistle of John, proves a perfect focal point for this Advent series, for a fresh approach to the then-current debates over the doctrine of justification, and as he himself says, the book is a veritable "Handbook for the Christian Life."
Whether as an adult Bible study, or a resource for new members or even confirmation, a Bible study guided by this sermon series would, with little effort on the part of any facilitator, feed and edify a congregation for half a year. So why not read these Sermons on the First Epistle of John in its 500th anniversary year (1523/2023)? Why not challenge your whole congregation, any neighboring congregations, and churches in your presbytery, synod, classis, or annual conference, to read and discuss this rich, foundational text with you?
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