How much is known about John Calvin the man

dms1972 said:

Seems like there is not a lot of biographical info about Calvin, compared to say other notable christian theologians like Edwards, Wesley, Luther etc.

How much is known historically about him. Has anyone ever attempted a biography?

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Books​

1. John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life by Herman J. Selderhuis
   A fairly recent biography that draws on Calvin’s own writings and presents him as a man navigating life and ministry—not just the “towering Reformer myth”. Verbum
   
2. John Calvin – A Biography by T.H.L. Parker
   A more traditional biography, good for getting a solid overview of his life, thought, and context. WJK Books - WJK Books
   
   
3. The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin edited by Joel R. Beeke
   Focuses more on Calvin’s spiritual life and personal piety rather than just his theology or institution-building. heritagebooks.org
4. Calvin: Theologian and Reformer edited by Joel Beeke & Garry J. Williams
   A collection of essays examining different aspects of Calvin’s work — good for digging into specific themes (doctrine, preaching, reform). heritagebooks.org
   
   
5. John Calvin and His Passion for the Majesty of God by John Piper
   A shorter, more devotional/historical piece about Calvin’s vision and convictions. Desiring God+1

Dave Hunt’s Anti-Calvinism / Anti-Theocracy Works​

1. What Love Is This? Calvinism’s Misrepresentation of God (2002, revised 2006)
   His best-known book. Argues that Calvinism distorts God’s love and promotes fatalism; includes historical criticism of Calvin’s Geneva as “a theocracy run by fear.”
2. Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views (with James White, 2004)
   A back-and-forth debate. Hunt presents the Arminian/free-will position; White defends classical Reformed theology. Good for seeing both sides in direct dialogue.
3. TULIP and the Bible (2012)
   A short, verse-by-verse critique of the five points of Calvinism, with special emphasis on divine justice and human freedom.
4. A Woman Rides the Beast (1994)
   Broader church-history polemic, but contains side commentary comparing Roman and Reformed “religious control.”
5. Articles and sermons on davehunt.org

Major Reformed / Academic Responses​

1. James White – “What Love Is This? A Review and Response” (2003, online & in book appendix)
   White dissects Hunt’s use of sources and argues he misunderstands Calvin’s writings and predestination.
2. Phil Johnson – “A Review of What Love Is This?” (Grace to You, 2003)
   Claims Hunt misquotes Calvin and mixes Calvinism with Hyper-Calvinism.
3. Richard Pratt Jr. – “Dave Hunt’s Misunderstanding of Calvinism” (Reformed Theological Seminary Lecture Notes, 2004)
   A seminary-level critique comparing Hunt’s interpretations with primary Reformed confessions.
4. R. C. Sproul – Chosen by God (1986; rev. 1994)
   Not a direct reply, but the classic counterpoint—explains Reformed soteriology clearly and charitably. Reading this alongside Hunt clarifies the real theological contrasts.
5. Roger Olson – Against Calvinism (2011)
   A more scholarly Arminian critique than Hunt’s, useful if you want to see Hunt’s concerns argued with academic sourcing rather than polemic tone.

Modern Historical Critics​

• Highly readable and sympathetic to Castellio; portrays Calvin as a brilliant but repressive theocrat.
• Somewhat dramatized, but still an influential critique.
  

Will Durant – The Reformation (Vol. 6 of The Story of Civilization)​

• Describes Geneva as “the most efficient theocracy ever established” and Calvin as “a theologian-king.”
• Points out the severe punishments for moral or religious offenses.

• Balanced historian, but agrees that Geneva under Calvin was marked by intense moral control and limited freedom.

• Notes the irony that Protestantism began with freedom of conscience but in Calvin’s Geneva became conformist and disciplinary.

Theological & Ethical Critics (20th–21st Century)​

Jacques Maritain – Three Reformers: Luther, Calvin, Erasmus (1925)​

• A Catholic philosopher’s critique: Calvin created a rationalized, authoritarian religion where grace was replaced by control.

• Uses Calvin as an example of theology dominating reason — claims Calvinism suppressed intellectual freedom.

• Frames Calvin as a prototype of fundamentalist rigidity, trying to impose order on a chaotic religious world.

• Less polemical, but shows how Calvin used media, printing, and discipline to shape Geneva’s collective mind.