The Reformed Faith Of John Calvin

Richard Muller, a world-class scholar of the Reformation era, examines the relationship of Calvin's theology to the Reformed tradition, indicating Calvin's place in the tradition as one of several significant second-generation formulators. Muller argues that the Reformed tradition is a diverse and variegated movement not suitably described either as founded solely on the thought of John Calvin or as a reaction to or deviation from Calvin, thereby setting aside the old "Calvin and the Calvinists" approach in favor of a more integral and representative perspective. Muller offers historical corrective and nuance on topics of current interest in Reformed theology, such as limited atonement/universalism, union with Christ, and the order of salvation.

A succinct, systematic summary of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion that sets forth the essence the reformer's teachings in his Institutes on all the truths of the Christian religion. This summary is either expressed or supported by the most important and vivid statements of Calvin, so the readers hears Calvin himself. The book also gives a brief explanation of certain of Calvin's teachings, offers analysis of his doctrine, applies his teachings to contemporary doctrinal issues, and sometimes even criticizes Calvin's doctrine. The book provides exact references to the Institutes enabling the reader to compare the summary with Calvin's presentation.

This translation of a very enlightening book includes all the essentials of Calvin's position, unobscured by complicated discussions characteristic of Calvin's later writings. "Exhibits the living faith of Christianty in all its simplicity and grandeur. . . ".--William F. Keesecker.

This book is an inspiration to a new form of Christian life for many. It was published in 1536 in Latin and revolutionized the Christian world. It became one of the books that laid the basis for the establishment of Protestant churches. In the book, Calvin strongly criticizes what he believes are unorthodox teachings and the policy of the Catholic Church. The book considers the knowledge of God the Creator and the creation of a man. He also speculates on the topic of what humankind is and what people know about The Creator.

This is the extended and annotated edition including * an extensive biographical annotation about the author and his life The Institutes of the Christian Religion (Institutio Christianae religionis) is John Calvin's seminal work on Protestant systematic theology. Highly influential in the Western world and still widely read by theological students today, it was published in Latin in 1536 (at the same time as the English King Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries) and in his native French in 1541, with the definitive editions appearing in 1559 (Latin) and in 1560 (French). The book was written as an introductory textbook on the Protestant faith for those with some previous knowledge of theology and covered a broad range of theological topics from the doctrines of church and sacraments to justification by faith alone and Christian liberty. It vigorously attacked the teachings of those Calvin considered unorthodox, particularly Roman Catholicism to which Calvin says he had been "strongly devoted" before his conversion to Protestantism. The Institutes is a highly regarded secondary reference for the system of doctrine adopted by the Reformed churches, usually called Calvinism. (from wikipedia.com)

An essential biography of the most important book of the Protestant Reformation John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is a defining book of the Reformation and a pillar of Protestant theology. First published in Latin in 1536 and in Calvin's native French in 1541, the Institutes argues for the majesty of God and for justification by faith alone. The book decisively shaped Calvinism as a major religious and intellectual force in Europe and throughout the world. Here, Bruce Gordon provides an essential biography of Calvin's influential and enduring theological masterpiece, tracing the diverse ways it has been read and interpreted from Calvin's time to today. Gordon explores the origins and character of the Institutes, looking closely at its theological and historical roots, and explaining how it evolved through numerous editions to become a complete summary of Reformation doctrine. He shows how the development of the book reflected the evolving thought of Calvin, who instilled in the work a restlessness that reflected his understanding of the Christian life as a journey to God. Following Calvin's death in 1564, the Institutes continued to be reprinted, reedited, and reworked through the centuries. Gordon describes how it has been used in radically different ways, such as in South Africa, where it was invoked both to defend and attack the horror of apartheid. He examines its vexed relationship with the historical Calvin—a figure both revered and despised—and charts its robust and contentious reception history, taking readers from the Puritans and Voltaire to YouTube, the novels of Marilynne Robinson, and to China and Africa, where the Institutes continues to find new audiences today.

Though he was a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation, John Calvin (1509-1564) may be best remembered for his influential theological positions. Calvin fled his native France to escape the persecution his reformation teaching was attracting. Later, in Geneva, his positions led to his expulsion from the city, but when Protestant forces regained control of Geneva, Calvin established a new theocratic government--which harbored persecuted Protestants from across Europe. Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion laid out his understanding of Bible doctrine, including his beliefs in the primacy of Scripture, predestination, and salvation by grace alone.

A central theme of Christian theology is not only the orthodox doctrine of God as Triune, but the manner in which this Triune God works in the hearts of men as Sovereign Ruler and Supreme King. This work deals with understanding the relationship between God’s love and the reprobation of the wicked, aiding the reader to understand more simply the view of the Reformation’s brightest Reformer, John Calvin (1509-1564), within an otherwise daunting topic. In this analysis of John Calvin’s view of God’s love and the biblical doctrine of reprobation, C. Matthew McMahon (A Puritan’s Mind Founder) explores Calvin’s thoughts concerning reconciling God’s love and the damnation of the reprobate. McMahon explains Calvin’s doctrine of accommodation, centering on understanding the difference between the will of God’s decree and the precepts of God’s word. Also analyzed is Calvin’s view of God’s providence as Supreme Ruler over creation, Calvin’s view of hardening the reprobate’s heart, and his view of the Gospel call when the reprobate are called to repent and believe the Gospel. Annexed to this analysis is an overview and introduction to Calvin’s treatise on reprobation, initially published in 1558 as, “Concerning the Secret Providence of God,” (contained as an appendix to this work) demonstrating articles that Calvin refuted against Sebastian Castellio (1515-1563) who attempted to revile the Reformer and the biblical position of predestination.