Has anyone read Calvin's "Institutes"?

pawnraider · Nov 26, 2007

If so, what is you impression of his book. I've been thinking of getting it but I'll wait for opinions.

Thanks,

Frank.

GrinningDwarf · Nov 26, 2007

It's one of the bedrocks of Reformed thought. Calvin wrote it specifically for teachers in the church, so they would be able to faithfully teach those in their charge.

Elderone · Nov 26, 2007

pawnraider said:
If so, what is you impression of his book. I've been thinking of getting it but I'll wait for opinions.

Thanks,

Frank.

I have the two volume set and periodically pick a subject and read it. At 1621 pages, without the bibliography and indexes, it can be heavy going straight through. It is the definitive work, IMO, definitely worth the money.

R.J.S · Nov 29, 2007

It is very good, and very simple to understand which I like

larryjf · Jul 11, 2008

He's one of the most consistently biblical systematicians.

I think he's a little off with his ecclesiology, and i don't adhere to his continental view on the Sabbath...but i love his Institutes.

You can read it online here...
http://www.reformed.org/master/index.html?mainframe=/books/institutes/

hedrick · Feb 21, 2009

The Institutes are considered one of the half dozen or so classics of theology, others being things like the Summa Theologica by Aquinas. The Institutes was not intended to be original, as some of Luther's theology was. It was supposed to be a straightforward presentation of basic theology. As such it is really good. I refer to it all the time.

Some sections will be uninteresting, because he goes into arguments refuting people that you've never heard of. You may want to skip them.

Don't expect to find lots of time devoted to "Calvinist" topics such as predestination. Calvin certainly teaches those, but they're not the heart of his theology.

McWilliams · Jan 30, 2013

I just got John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and plan to dig in soon as I finish my current book by Joel Beeke! Wonderful to have such great books available to teach and encourage us!

oworm · Feb 18, 2013

McWilliams said:
I just got John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and plan to dig in soon as I finish my current book by Joel Beeke! Wonderful to have such great books available to teach and encourage us!

I've been to two of Joel Beekes conferences and took the tour of Puritan Reformed Seminary last year. The 'Puritan room' was an especial treat with a few originals including some puritan works with handwritten notes by Spurgeon himself.

oworm · Feb 18, 2013

hedrick said:
Don't expect to find lots of time devoted to "Calvinist" topics such as predestination. Calvin certainly teaches those, but they're not the heart of his theology.

I've heard it said that the Holy Spirit was at the heart of Calvin's theology

Renee Arisen · Jan 18, 2015

ztalbott · Mar 3, 2015

Google Coffee with Calvin (not the devotional book by McKim, though it's good too)... It's a reading plan that will take you through the Institutes in a year.

JM · Apr 4, 2015

A few years back I started the reading plan but didn’t finish. Too many books in the way but now I have time. Thanks for the reminder!

I have the two volume edition and the single volume edition as well. The two volume has a few issues, I prefer the single volume.

The plan: http://www.chapellibrary.org/index.php/literature/title-catalog/?fldCode=rcii

The single volume: Institutes of the Christian Religion, Beveridge Translation

You can read about the translation issues here: Institutes of the Christian Religion: John Calvin: 9781598561685: Amazon.com: Books

Yours in the Lord,

jm

JM · Apr 7, 2015

Reading now...

Has anyone read Calvin's "Institutes"?

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