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Summary: Opus Magnum of Theology
Review: Calvin has long been esteemed a prince of expositors. Father Simon, a Roman Catholic, declared unequivocally, "Calvin possessed a sublime genius." Scalinger, the 16th cent. classical linguist and historian (best known for his study of methods of calculating time)wrote: "Oh, how well Calvin has reached the meaning of Scripture!" B. B. Warfield, possibly the finest theologian writing in English in the early 20th cent., appraised: "In Calvin theism and evangelicalism come to their own." The <> -- I own the Henry Beveridge translation -- is Calvin's greatest work. Over a quarter of a century, until this massive treatise reached its definitive form in 1559, he expended his utmost powers in revision and expansion of this, his masterpiece. The <> is the representative treatise of the Reformation. It was this work that gave to the Protestant Church the systematic presentation of doctrine and the apologetic defence of Protestantism indispensable to the polemic being conducted with Rome. It was the <> that turned the battle to the gate. Calvin, to do full justice to his body of writings (and it is HUGE) is *par excellence* the chief theologian of the Protestant faith. The editors of the Brunswick edition of his works have not exaggerated by saying: " If Luther was supremely great as a man, Zwingli second to none as a Christian citizen, Melanchthon rightly designated the most learned of teachers, Calvin may justly be called the prince and standard-bearer of theologians. Or, again in Warfield's words: "What Thucydidies is among Greek, or Gibbon among 18th cent. English historians, what Plato is among philosophers, or the Illad among epics, or Shakespeare among dramatists, that Calvin's 'Institutes' is among theological treatises." The <> is an immense work by anyone's reckoning. Yet, why do I recommend that we read any portion of it today? Because, although Calvin was a man of his age, the fact is that he remains to a remarkable extent (and to an extent hardly equalled by any other) a man of every subsequent generation. He was a humanist before he was a reformer. And logic in argumentation and in the sequence and arrangement of his topics is manifest on every page. But surpassing this gift was the biblically oriented and biblically conditioned way in which the material is treated that makes Calvin's presentation abidingly and irresistably relevant to all times. In sum, a magisterial production from an intellectual and spiritual giant.
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Summary: Summit Level
Review: Calvin's Institutes is a summit level work that transcends its category and carries impressions and influence and inspiration and power beyond what works of theology general exist and are useful for... The Bible is beyond-summit.
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Summary: Calvin - The Genius of the Reformation
Review: If one decides to study theology rigorously at an academic level, one should definitely read Calvin's "Institutes" to understand the various theological issues that were brought up during the Reformation period. Calvin's "Institutes" is one of the great classics that will never be written off as an old relic. Calvin's pastoral spirit comes out clearly in the pages of this book. In fact, Calvin wrote this not as some intellectual dogmatic text but as a pastoral theological treatise to encourage and comfort believers who were struggling with the faith - especially by those influenced by the unbiblical doctrines of the Medieval Church. Especially good are Calvin's treatment of God's providential control, justification by grace/faith alone, and unconditional election unto salvation. One may not agree with everything that Calvin says (I believe he got the Lord's Supper wrong) but one cannot ignore this work. For those who disagree with Calvin (and Calvinism), how about comparing Calvin's theology with Scripture? If one reads the Bible carefully and responsibly, it is clearly on the side of Calvin (rather than Rome or Arminius). Some passages people should check out are: Exodus 33:19; Proverbs 16:4; John 6:37; Romans 9:21; Ephesians 1:5; and 1 Peter 2:8. If salvation is based on our merits (fully or partially) then God's grace is really unnecessary. The Reformers were correct to proclaim sola gratia and solus Christus when they were combatting the deadly errors of the Medievalists. Salvation is either by God's grace alone or by our works-righteousness (the former being biblical; the latter being blasphemously heretical). One may not like the doctrine of unconditional election but that is what Scripture teaches and to do away with this great truth based on emotional discomforts is to show great irreverance to the Almighty God. God saves undeserving sinners because He is a gracious God. If God did not elect any sinner then ALL will be consigned to hell. The great thing about Calvinism is that it shows the sinner his or her place in God's redemptive design. It is to show sinners that they cannot even move one step closer to the gates of heaven by their own performance. Not only did Calvin teach this, but Scripture does too. If one wants to be Scriptural, one needs to accept Calvinism as the most biblical system that exists in Christian theology.
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Summary: Hard Going But Worth The Trip
Review: If one is looking for an easy introduction to the Reformed Christian faith, this is not the place to start. However, I heartily recommend Calvin's Institutes for their thoroughness and devotion. Calvin was simultaneously an outstanding humanist scholar who knew and applied the ancient Biblical languages, as well as a Christian man of great piety and humility. These two books are a treasure of Christian thought. I found Calvin's discussion of the nature of the Church to be especially strong. Pretty much every question a person could have about the Christian faith is addressed in Calvin's Institutes.Further, in response to some petty personal attacks on Calvin ("heretic" and "petty tyrant"), the record shows that such attacks lack proof. Calvin was faithful to Scripture and the early Church writers. Calvin, in fact, deserves a great deal of credit for rescuing the entire Christian Church (including today's Roman Catholic Church) from the swamp of tyranny and supersition into which it had fallen by 1500 A.D. In addition, Calvin was a moderate and tolerant ruler for his time, holding sway by his moral authority. Followers of Jesus Christ continue to owe John Calvin a great debt.
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Summary: Unexpected Gem
Review: It is really an extraordinary book that doesn't have a peer in Christian theology. It is a shame that Calvin is so badly and unjustifiably maligned in both modern culture and in the history of ideas. It is undeserved, his writings are passionate, not scholastic, he was certainly a private man but his public ministry as a pastor-teacher changed Western civilization.
i taught an adult education class on this book. it's outcome is online at surveyofcalvinsinstitutes.50megs.com. I think it a good introduction to the book and an addition to the work available on the net in reformed theology.
if you haven't read Institutes then you are relying on others for information about one of the most important books in modern european and american history, glance at my webpage and buy the book, it is well worth the time to understand.
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Summary: Best work ever
Review: John Calvin is the greatest theologian the Protestant Church has and will ever have. He was a genius. No man has done more for the Christian Church after the death of the apostles than John Calvin. He also has the ability to make difficult doctrines readily understood by laymen. His work on the Holy Spirit is the best that has ever been written.
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Summary: Classic theology - Classic literature
Review: John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is a monumental work that stands among the greatest works of Christian theology and Western literature. It ranks with works such as St. Augustine's Confessions and City of God in value, insight and significance. The Institutes have molded the church's understanding of Christian doctrine for generations and has had untold influence in the development of Western thought in both the religious and civil arenas.
Calvin's Institutes represent his life work in teaching theology. They first appeared in 1536 and went through three significant revisions - each expanding and building upon the previous. This particular edition represents the final form and of which Calvin was very pleased.
Originally written to give basic understanding of Christian doctrine, they became one of the earliest systematic theologies of the Reformed tradition. Calvin's stated desire is to give the reader the necessary background to read and accurately handle the great doctrines and promises of the Bible.
Calvin sent a copy to the King Francis I to encourage him to stop persecuting the Christians who were embracing the gospel as taught by the Reformers. His basic argument was that if the king understood what these people believed he would stop killing as heretics but rather see them as faithful adherents of historical Christianity. Calvin was no lover of novelty and throughout the Institutes copiously sights from the early church fathers and the long history of the Churches understanding of doctrine.
This two-volume work is broken down into four books that loosely follow the outline of the Apostle's Creed. Book 1 concerns knowledge of God. Book 2 is about Jesus Christ as redeemer. Book 3 is about the Holy Spirit's role in applying Christ's redeeming graces. Book 4 is about the church and practice.
This particular edition, translated by Battles and edited by McNeil is more expensive than the one produce by Beverage, but it is worth every extra dollar you spend. While the church is indebted to Beverage for his labor of love getting many works by Calvin translated into English, his command of both French and Latin were not as strong as Battles. In fact, Beverage does not even deal with Calvin's Latin version of the Institutes. They were originally produced in both Latin and French and Battles' work demonstrates his competency in dealing with both languages. Also, Battles' mastery of Calvin's other writings is reflected in his voluminous footnotes, many of them very helpful to the reader for clarifying, further reading and cross-referencing. In addition, the indexes in the Battles edition are invaluable not only for searching the Institutes for topics but for gleaming Calvin's understanding of the church fathers.
Agree or disagree with Calvin, these are a necessary read for anyone who desires an understanding of the development of Western thought, literature and theology. They are not only great theology; they represent excellent writing and development of an argument. They are also highly pastoral and devotional. They are not like reading a modern systematic theology. Calvin understood doctrine to be more than theory, but something to mold our understanding of God, ourselves and the world in which we live. Carefully working through the Institutes is a journey worth taking!
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Summary: Don't get any other translation
Review: This is simply the finest translation of Calvin's Insitutes. What makes this translation so good is the indexes of names, topics, and biblical verses....Mcneil's edition is tried and tested in this two volume set. It is a must have for anyone wanting to read Calvin in a durable hardcover edition. The indexes are invaluable in finding subjects that Calvin addresses. This is the one--i think. While the isbn matches, the price does not. You might want to contact amazon and make sure you are getting the hardback two volume set. The isbn is 0664220207 for the first book and 0664220215 for the second. The price should be around 60 dollars or so.
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Summary: Gospel Wine
Review: This is the best edition to date of the Institutes. Most editions have the smallest type imaginable, as if it wasn't already hard enough to read through these deep books, but this edition has very a readable type. It is bound well, and Ford Lewis Battles' translation is FAR superior to Henry Beveridge's in terms of smoothness, clarity, and readability. If you want to read the Institutes, one of the most powerful and thought-provoking works in history, this is the edition to get.
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Summary: unlike so much else you've ever read
Review: Why you should read this book: 1. It's not to heavy (thought it does make you think a lot). I have read a couple of puritan book of the 17th century and they are filled with great stuff but because you read them in the original English it's hard going, but this book translated from the Latin is much more readable. Although the book is v. long it is not as hard as you think it is - trust me.
2. It is nice to read a good theologian not setting out purely with the aim of defending the doctrines his own denomination has been teaching for centuries. Although is influenced by tradition he is not as obsessed by it as some Protestants today. He does suffer slightly sometimes, i.e. has some wrong ideas about minor points (e.g. the ancient church on confirmation), because he is not just re-plowing a furrow that has be furrowed a thousand times, but these slips are usually picked up in the notes. It's so refreshing.
3. He really, really cares about the truth. Yes he does sometimes call his opponents "dogs" and "swine" which is less acceptable now than it once was, but he calls them that because he is angry because he sees heretics catching Christians in their nets, are you not upset when you see that?
Earlier reviewers have called him a tyrant because he used his limited power (he wasn't even a citizen of Geneva) to try to stop people sinning as much. Sometimes he went a bit overboard but at least he cared.
4. He uses the church fathers a lot more than anyone else I've ever read. He had read so much compared to now. I have heard that he worked very hard, 4hrs sleep, into an early grave etc, and it's not hard to see what he did. He was a full time pastor and yet had read all these books. Scripture is infinitely better than the fathers, but Calvin was concerned about the Catholics and he uses Augustine etc to show the Catholics of then and now that their beloved fathers would have hated the RC church post-500ish. You won't get that much elsewhere.
5. His chapters on providence and man's sinfulness. People think this book is all about predestination to salvation, but it doesn't really have a central theme like that. But essential to your understanding of election is God's providence and our depravity and Calvin gives these the right weight and makes so much so clear. However overriding all his writing on election and everything else is that we should try to understand as much as the bible tells us but go no further. He was, it seems to me (<I can't see his heart like God can), really humble before God and his word. The fact that this review is so badly written should prove to you that I am not an eminent scholar, just a lowly maths student, and so this book is easy enough for most to read. Don't bother with an abridged version spend the rather large amount of money and get this book - it is worth it. If you want a big book mainly for reference get Systematic Theology by Louis Berkhof which though not perfect (no book by man ever will be) has more scripture references and less human writing.
However, if there was one book other than the Bible with me on a desert island it would be this one. No other human author has ever been as edifying for me. He helped me realize for the first time since I had started calling myself a Christian a few months earlier that I was saved totally by grace and am myself the most vile creature on earth when you realize God's holiness (read Hopeful's story in Pilgrim's Progress that's me). This book (would you believe it a 16th century work) truly drove me to my knees. Buy it! Sorry for rambling.
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