Depending on the perspective of the individual Christian, John Calvin may either be one of the greatest theologians or the worst charlatans who ever lived. For those who feel Calvin’s teachings accurately interpreted the Bible, he is a great teacher and one who rediscovered doctrines of grace that had lay largely dormant for centuries. For those who feel Calvin’s teachings are a gross misrepresentation of God’s sovereignty and human freedom, Calvin is a deceiver and one who has led countless Christians away from biblical truths.
I am among those who count Calvin as a great theologian and one who was used by God to restore to the church the wonders of the doctrines of grace. Yet for a man whose theology has so impacted my own, I know surprisingly little about the man. This is, at least in part, owing to the fact that less is known about Calvin than about many other great figures in church history. A man who was often private and secretive, much of his life, and his early years in particular (including his conversion), are known only by conjecture based on comments he made in his books.
John Calvin: His Life & Influence is a brief biography of Calvin that was first delivered by Robert Reymond at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as a series of four hour-long lectures. These speeches, targeted at a general audience attending Wednesday evening programs, were drawn from lecture material for a course on “Calvin’s Institutes” taught by Reymond at Knox Theological Seminary. “I wrote the four lectures, taking my original audience on a journey through Calvin’s intellectual and spiritual development, first from his youth, then through young manhood, then to the brilliant, energetic young Reformer that he became during his first Geneva period. In connection with this last period I addressed head-on Calvin’s part in the most significant blight on Protestant Geneva’s reputation, namely, the burning of Michael Servetus.”
Through four chapters and approximately four hours of reading, Reymond leads the reader through a brief survey of Calvin’s life and most important teachings. He does this in the hope that “this remarkable Frenchman’s life and ministry will challenge Protestant Christians today to take more interest in their historical heritage and to read for themselves “the opus magnum of Christian theology” and the most influential systematic theology ever written, namely, John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion.”
Though necessarily short, this book serves as a useful and compelling introduction to Calvin. It focuses primarily on his life, but also expends some effort in summarizing his teachings. Following the biography are three useful appendices, the first discussing “opposing Calvin biographers,” the second discussing Calvin’s influence on western history, and the third listing other recommended biographies and resources.
All-in-all, this is a good little book and one that would be at home in any church or personal library. It is a great place to begin in understanding the life and influence of a man who continues to impact the church almost five hundred years after his birth.
Comments (40) »
1. carissa
December 7, 2006
6:08 PM
i’d be interested to read about calvin. i know so little about the man, and even what he actually taught, as i’ve never read the institutes and i understand that “calvinism” has come a little way since calvin’s life. thanks :]
2. John Lee
December 7, 2006
7:00 PM
Challies, I am unimpressed by your ardent love for Calvin since you were pre-programmed to love him. You speak of your admiration for him as if it stemmed from a self-conscious choice, but you never had a choice, buddy.
I, on the other hand, am not a Calvinist. But I guess I have no say in the matter either, since (as a Calvinist would say) I was pre-determined to be as such. So don’t blame me for thinking differently.
Wow…all this leads me to worship His Sovereignty. What about you, fellow puppet? Feel like worshipping?
3. Sam
December 7, 2006
7:23 PM
Wow John… way to choose to be uplifting and encouraging in your assessment of Tim’s review.
Good review Tim!
4. donsands
December 7, 2006
7:48 PM
May have to grab a copy for myself. I have never study Calvin himself, though his teachings are throughout the church.
The little I know about him is a fine example for any Christian I would think.
I know he loved his wife dearly. He also was a humble man of God. Buried without a headstone, so that even today no one knows where his grave is.
Looking forward to seeing brother John in glory.
5. michelle
December 7, 2006
9:44 PM
I think that regardless of whether you would call yourself a “Calvinist” or not, a study of Calvin would be an excellent pursuit. Calvin’s influence has had a profound effect on the history of Christianity, and insight into his life and character would be beneficial for anyone.
I will be looking into this book. The list of books I need to “look into” just gets longer and longer! Thanks for the recommendation.
Blessings.
6. kenny
December 7, 2006
10:20 PM
john,
perhaps you should do some reading into Calvin and his beliefs, then you might not misrepresent him in the manner in which you have done.
thanks Tim for your continued prolific posting, a most enjoyable and useful resource.
regards.
7. Brian at voiceofthesheep
December 7, 2006
10:25 PM
Challies, I am unimpressed by your ardent love for Calvin since you were pre-programmed to love him. You speak of your admiration for him as if it stemmed from a self-conscious choice, but you never had a choice, buddy.
Great. Another builder of strawmen that represent anything BUT those who truly profess reformed theology. Way to go, John. It’s so easy to knock those straw figures down isn’t it? Anyone got a match? I - considering myself a Calvinist - will gadly strike the first match to burn down the unbiblical picture John has painted, for what he has portrayed is anything BUT Calvinism.
I suggest that those who think Calvinism is what John here has put forth may be the ones who most need to study the life of Calvin and what Reformed Theology truly represents.
8. Steve
December 7, 2006
11:21 PM
I have studied Calvin and his teachings for numerous years, both in contrast to Arminian teachings and in what I see from scripture. There is much to applaude in Calvin’s studies, and much that, only if his teachings are applied to scripture, can be derived from it. By the latter, I mean that unless you come to scripture with the ideology of Calvin, much does not fit. Indeed, even according to Calvin, in his own words, he could not make scripture fit all of what he felt.
Yet, an Arminian view of scripture takes us too far to the other side.
I find that there are truths to be found on both sides, yet neither…in all of my studies have led me to believe that one or the other has a monopoly in truth. I see semantic differences, and posturing on both sides. I see glaring errors, and great truths. Yet, I am no fence sitter. My beliefs are not far from some of Calivn’s basics, but…well, this is not a time for a lengthy study.
Suffice it to say that I am always interested in new views of Calvin, especially ones that give insight into the man, not the teachings.
9. John Lee
December 8, 2006
12:07 AM
Challies,
Your decision to review and publicly applaud this book doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. You’re a Calvinist; this book is about Calvin. Thus it is a book which merely affirms what you already believe; it doesn’t challenge you or force you to confront the weaknesses of your beliefs. It is chocolate icing on a chocolate cake.
Here is an extreme analogy of what you are doing (and I can feel your temperature begin to boil, your face reddening, your hands clenching into tight fists): it is akin to a nazi youth reading Mein Kamph, it is akin to a Communist revolutionary reading Mao’s Red Book.
Why not review a book which challenges your thought-system, a book which brings to harsh relief some of the less tenable aspects of Calvinism? Only the most arrogant would say that Calvinism (or any school of thought, for that matter) is problem-free and the apex of theological perfection - why not deal head on with these issues rather than hide beneath the safe choir singing a chorus you already know by heart?
Here’s a book to review:
Why I Am Not a Calvinist
By Jerry L. Walls, Joseph Dongell
Go on. I dare you.
10. connie
December 8, 2006
12:44 AM
Tim, thanks for the review. I’m definitely interested in reading the book—sounds like something that would whet one’s appetite for more!
For Xmas a number of years ago my husband gave me a copy of “Idelette” by Edna Gerstner. It is “a novel based on the life of Madame John Calvin”. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Perhaps your wife could read it and offer a review? :-)
11. Stephen Thomas
December 8, 2006
12:52 AM
As much as I hate to feed the trolls, as they say, I feel compelled to John Lee that our young Mr. Challies has indeed reviewed many books that run contrary to his beliefs.
And if you read other things by our young Mr. Challies, you will also find that he holds to beliefs that are contrary to some of the things that Calvin taught. I doubt very much that he is just some blind follower of the man who approves everything he ever said. It might be easier for you to believe such a thing, for then it is easier for you to believe that you have discredited Tim Challies (by misrepresenting him, and then knocking down those misrepresentations), rather than actually dealing with the Scriptural issues that mark the differences between you and him. That would be much more difficult, so why not just take the easier path of knocking down a strawman that you name “Tim Challies”?
But enough with that. I second the recommendation for this book, particularly for the bibliographies at the back of the book. It is short, but it leads you with directions in how to find out more. And interestingly enough, as Tim pointed out, one of those bibliographies is a list of books that are unfriendly to Calvin. So you can read those, too. How about that?
12. kletois
December 8, 2006
6:25 AM
‘Why I am not a Calvinist’ will challenge one’s thought system? It might challenge my ability to sit still long enough to read through it. From what I’ve heard about it, it is full of the usual lame objections which have been refuted many times over - time to get some new material folks.
13. Joop
December 8, 2006
6:50 AM
To Kletois,
You said: “From what I’ve heard about it [the book Why I am not a Calvinist], it is full of the usual lame objections which have been refuted many times over.”
It would be better to state your own opinion rather than blindly rely on others opinions.
Then you boldly conclude: “time to get some new material folks.” How patronizing!
Kletois, aren’t we mature enough making our own conclusions? Why should you decide for us?
14. Brian at voiceofthesheep
December 8, 2006
7:54 AM
John (and to a lesser degree, Joop),
Can you do us a favor and provide some biblical exegesis of Scripture to refute the theology known as Calvinism (which, I hope you know, is not the same as holding to every tenet that Calvin himself held to)?
I am familiar - firsthand - with much of the emotional, nonbiblical, nonsensical, angry anti-calvinist drivel that is usually put forth to refute it. Tell me, John, instead of behaving like a troll, can you provide us with a simple explanation of John 6:37-44? I would be interested to hear what you say about the one-to-one correlation between those who are given to the Father and those who are raised on the last day…about the one-to-one correlation between those who are drawn by the Father and those who are raised on the last day.
If you want to be taken seriously, then I suggest you appeal to Scripture, and not to strawmen.
15. donsands
December 8, 2006
8:01 AM
“I can feel your temperature begin to boil”
That’s an impossibility.
We Calvinist are simply programed robots John.
BTW, Tim does read and review a wide variety of books as Stephen Thomas has said.
16. kletois
December 8, 2006
8:27 AM
forgive me JOOP, you are correct. I should give my opinion: the book is full of lame arguments which have been refuted many times over. I’ve heard and agree with a critique done against this fine work . And yes, its time to get some new material, preferably related in at least some small way to scripture.
17. John Lee
December 8, 2006
9:05 AM
Kletois, let me get this straight. You heard that Walls’ book was bad so that’s why you label it as bad? And you heard a critique against it was good, so that’s why you label that critique as good?
Wow…I honestly didn’t think anyone would have the guts to write something so inane as what you just wrote. Do you always formulate your opinion based upon hearsay (on what other people say)?
Even your fellow Calvinists on this blog will try to distance you from them.
18. Tim Challies
December 8, 2006
9:13 AM
“Your decision to review and publicly applaud this book doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. You’re a Calvinist; this book is about Calvin. Thus it is a book which merely affirms what you already believe; it doesn’t challenge you or force you to confront the weaknesses of your beliefs. It is chocolate icing on a chocolate cake.”
Well, for one thing, I don’t know whether or not I’ll like a book until I read it, do I? And further, I read books both for my benefit and for the benefit of others. I post my reviews here in the hope that others can benefit. That is why I recommended the book to others. Maybe you’d like to read it…
19. Pete
December 8, 2006
9:14 AM
Sounds like a good book, but a word of caution. Never substitute reading what someone wrote about what some one wrote, for actually reading what someone wrote (does that make sense?). I read a lot of Luther and am somewhat surprised what views folks try to cram him into. I am sure the same disservice is done to Calvin. I know less about Calvin than Luther, but what I have learned is pretty impressive. I plan to read his Institutes soon.
-Pete
20. John Lee
December 8, 2006
9:15 AM
“I am familiar - firsthand - with much of the emotional, nonbiblical, nonsensical, angry anti-calvinist drivel that is usually put forth to refute [Calvinism]. Tell me, John, instead of behaving like a troll, can you provide us with a simple explanation of John 6:37-44?”
Dear voiceofthepuppet,
It is rank arrogance to claim that any theology that doesn’t jibe with your own is nonbiblical, nonsensical, angry drivel. You seem like an intelligent bloke, so I don’t need to remind you that they are scores of Christians who are smarter than you, love the Bible more than you, who are more sensible than you, and who do not subscribe to the Calvinistic tenant. What, there wasn’t a real Christian until John Calvin came around? Open your eyes, expand your mind, try to breakout of your home-schooled insecurities. God is bigger than you and me.
Anyway, you throw out at me a verse. Please. You have probably 20 verses you could have thrown at me. At the same time, I too have 20 verses I could have countered with. This throwing out Bible verses at one another belongs to in the Sunday School class for toddlers.
If you really want to know about John 6:37-44, read Jerry Walls’ book: “Why I am not a Calvinist.” He does a good commentary on that (and other) verses.
21. Pete
December 8, 2006
9:17 AM
My phrase…
“I am sure the same disservice is done to Calvin”
…is not directed to this specific book. It is a general point.
-Pete
22. kletois
December 8, 2006
9:41 AM
John Lee, show me an argument from Walls’ book, and I will show it refuted. As for my reliance of a critique to base my opinion, what is so unusual about this? The critque was good because Walls’ argument was first stated, then a response was given. As for my fellow commentators, they can do as they please.
23. Brian at voiceofthesheep
December 8, 2006
9:46 AM
John,
Thank you for showing us that, once again, those who oppose the theology known as Calvinism cannot engage Scripture in an honest and consistent way.
I never said I was the smartest one on the block…all I did was ask you to explain John 6:37-44, and you chose instead to attack me. At least the anti-calvinist playbook is consistent, I’ll say that much. Your responses here line right up with Ergun and Emir Caner; two minds certainly more educated than most of us, yet their rebuke of the freedom of God in salvation is about as deep as your comments here.
24. Joop
December 8, 2006
9:51 AM
To VoiceOfTheSheep (at some degree ;-) )
You said:
I am familiar - firsthand - with much of the emotional, nonbiblical, nonsensical, angry anti-calvinist drivel that is usually put forth to refute it.
Seems to me you are somehow emotional and angry too.
As for me, I am not an anti-Calvinist, rather a non-Calvinist. (And please, no I’m not Arminian either!)
So, are all ‘anti-Calvinists’ nonbiblical considering Calvinism: the TULIP - system, double predestination, the sovereignty of God etc.?
Better be careful. You might be wrong.
I won’t accuse you being nonbiblical. I don’t think you are. I think you are a good Christian. I really do.
I think Calvinism is biblical in many points, but unbiblical in -at least- 5 points.
Studying Calvin is not a bad thing, but I would study him from both (Calvinist and non/anti-Calvinist) points of view.
Good luck to you and God bless!
25. David
December 8, 2006
10:09 AM
I count 7 out of 24 comments that legitimately belong in this thread.
Trolls are being fed. Let’s put an end to that.
I apologize for not deleting John Lee’s infantile outburst when I saw it last night. That could have prevented this mess.
Let’s get back on track now.
26. Brian at voiceofthesheep
December 8, 2006
10:10 AM
Seems to me you are somehow emotional and angry too.
What’s the context of your accusation here, Joop? I used those descriptions in the context of being non-biblical and non-sensical with respect to John’s (and maybe yours to a smaller degree) apparent disdain for the theology known as Calvinism.
I may be emotional, but that emotion, I believe, is grounded in my love for the truth of Scripture…and I am willing and prepared to defend it from Scripture. I may also be angry, but that anger is toward those who are content to parrot ridiculous mis-characterizations of Reformed Theology without any ability to honestly engage the truth found in the bible.
27. Brian at voiceofthesheep
December 8, 2006
10:12 AM
To get back on track…
Tim,
I appreciate your review of this book, and it appears to be one that I would enjoy reading.
28. Dan Phillips
December 8, 2006
10:12 AM
impacted
Eww.
29. Jeff
December 8, 2006
1:11 PM
Thank you for the review, I have added it to my wish list and will read it in 07.
Your note “I am among those who count Calvin as a great theologian and one who was used by God to restore to the church the wonders of the doctrines of grace. Yet for a man whose theology has so impacted my own, I know surprisingly little about the man.” is to accurate for myself. Though I know his theology, I know little about him (for example, I did not know he was a Frenchman!).
30. Jerry M
December 8, 2006
1:50 PM
Great book review Tim - I’ve added this to my CBD short list.
I find it humorous having seen you get blasted for reviewing things you disagree with and now you are getting blasted for reviewing something you agree with. Strange world …
31. Ken Abbott
December 8, 2006
1:55 PM
Another useful little (184 pages) book on John Calvin is Calvin For Armchair Theologians
by Christopher Elwood. It provides decent biographical information along with a good summary of Calvin’s theology. And Elwood’s treatment of the Servetus controversy is fair and balanced.
I have several of the entries in the Armchair Theologians series. They’re good books and good value.
32. Joel
December 9, 2006
5:25 PM
You’re a Calvinist; this book is about Calvin.
Well, I’m a Papist, but I don’t always hold with everything written about the pope, even by others of my ilk.
Something I wonder about Tim: If there were no theologiocal connection - if you were just reading about Calvin the way you might any other historical figure - what sort of impression would you have gotten of him from this book? Would he be someone you would have followed if you’d known him? Played chess and had a beer with? Or would you have avoided him or even feared him?
My perceptions of Calvin are as colored as yours, but in the opposite direction, so it’s hard for me to get a handle on the man himself.
33. Mike
December 10, 2006
5:31 AM
hey Tim, I too am interested in that book. I wondered which biography to go with, and you helped me to decide. I also am wating around for the Foundations of Grace book to go to cbd… it looks like a good-read!
To John Lee: dude, what’s with the attitude? If your’re going to demonize the guy who takes time every day to do a service for his brothers and sisters in Christ, you could at least feign some humility. If you are in fact a Christian, I’d suggest that you examine your heart and check the attitude at the door. I too have been snippy with people who don’t agree with me theologically, but I regretted it because our conversation is supposed to be truthful, in love, and seasoned with grace towards one another. It sets a bad example when you treat your brother(s) in Christ so harshly in front of the doubtless numbers of people who aren’t Christians readiing this blog. -Mike
34. Joop
December 10, 2006
9:57 AM
To Joel,
You said:
My perceptions of Calvin are as colored as yours, but in the opposite direction (…)
I think you hit the nail. I like your honesty.
Joop (both a non-Papist and a not-Calvinist)
35. Seth McBee
December 10, 2006
8:42 PM
John.
why don’t you go read a book that states “God doesn’t exist” so you are “challenged” seems like a bad idea…anyway…nice straw man…amazing…go get on Price’s straw man bus…
http://www.calvinistgadfly.com/?p=343
thanks for the review tim
36. Corey S.
December 11, 2006
12:45 AM
Does any one have a feel for how broad Calvin’s influence as a discipler of young men/pastors was?
CS
37. Pete
December 11, 2006
9:54 AM
What a wild bunch(but at least passionate)! I don’t agree with everything Calvin wrote, but that doesn’t mean what he wrote has no value.
It appears at least some of us(and I will include myself in that category) tend to only read books written by(or about) someone you already know you will agree with?
This is something my atheist co-workers see as a criticism of Christianity in general (and evangelicalism in particular).
How often do(and should) we read things which we expect we will disagree with? Is this a helpful thing to do(if only from an apologetics perspective)?
-Pete
38. Tim Challies
December 11, 2006
10:00 AM
“If there were no theologiocal connection - if you were just reading about Calvin the way you might any other historical figure - what sort of impression would you have gotten of him from this book? Would he be someone you would have followed if you’d known him? Played chess and had a beer with? Or would you have avoided him or even feared him?”
I don’t think we know enough about Calvin “the man” to really say. So much of what we know about him is based on theology and not on personality. So sure, I’d sit and have a Coke with him, but I doubt he’d have much time (since he preached several hundred times every year and wrote all these books - must have been a busy guy.).
Now Spurgeon - there’s a guy I’d sit and chat with…
39. Ken Abbott
December 11, 2006
12:51 PM
I know Calvin bowled on Sunday afternoons. You could probably have had that Coke with him between frames.
40. Joel
December 12, 2006
3:13 PM
How often do(and should) we read things which we expect we will disagree with? Is this a helpful thing to do(if only from an apologetics perspective)?
Pete, that’s part of why I’m here. And it’s not just from an apologetics perspective; I often find my iron sharpened by brethren I can’t agree with more than the ones I do.