It is the dispersal of shadows, the rending of sacred curtains, the unburdening of consciences, and the liberation of captives that typifies Calvin at his best. For all his severity, and for all his moral blind spots, it is impossible to overlook these grace-filled pastoral elements of his work. Calvin, like the Protestant tradition he represents, had his own sins. His theological descendants may be called to purge some of them in the present day. Perhaps the forbearing Aquinas and his followers can come to our aid. But it would be a shame to lose the austere clarity of his theological vision.
