John Calvin’s 16th century Reformation theology faces a tough crowd in 2009. Enslavement to sin sounds somewhat hopeless, and heavenly predestination downright unfair. But Brian Lee, 37, a defense consultant as well as founding pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Washington, D.C., hopes to place Calvin in a new light during this 500th anniversary year of his birth. His church is hosting a Calvin in the Capital speaker series on Thursdays, Oct. 8 through Nov. 12. Lee shared with The Examiner by e-mail thoughts on Calvin’s faith, and his own. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?

I am a Reformed Protestant, because of what the Reformation says about the grace of God. All Christians talk about grace, but they often take away with one hand what they give with the other. By turning Christianity into a lifestyle, or a cultural mandate, they make the life of faith more about accomplishments and achievements than about forgiveness and pardon.