This is the definitive English-language edition of one of the monumental works of the Christian church. All previous editions--in Latin, French,... read full description
reviews
Nov 27, 2011
Douglas
rated it: 
Just finished Volume 1. The first time I read this I was still an Arminian, and I appreciated it then. Now I am simply amazed. What a treasure this is.
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Sep 11, 2011
Ian
rated it: 
Well, he's certainly...pedantic? I find that Calvin somehow manages to approach a religion grounded in love, mercy, compassion, purity and fidelity as though it were a cold, joyless intellectual exercise. He lacks the zeal of Luther, the passion of Augustine, the skill of Aquinas, and even the intellectualism of Evagrius... Were he alive today I somehow think he would be busy working for the IRS or writing the fine print in legal documents. It amazes me that my ancestors were so passionate about
More...
8 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 09, 2008
Husseyhousehold
rated it:
I read Book One of the Four volumes in this edition, and learned that all the caricatures of Calvin and Calvinism are as far off the mark as equating a Christian with a Muslim terrorist of 9/11.
What most people call "hypercalvinism" is more often than not simply "Calvinism," or "biblical." The doctrine of election, far from being called "Calvinism," ought to be reclaimed as simply "truth." What is properly hypercalvinism, however, ( More...
What most people call "hypercalvinism" is more often than not simply "Calvinism," or "biblical." The doctrine of election, far from being called "Calvinism," ought to be reclaimed as simply "truth." What is properly hypercalvinism, however, ( More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Sep 02, 2007
Greg
rated it:
Once I became a Christian, this book was immensely helpful in teaching me to think carefully and thoroughly about the Christian faith, instead of being satisfied with a few platitudes, some assumed familial traditions, and a load of cultural baggage.
This book is the foundation of what is referred to as the Reformed branch of the church. It convinced me that Scripture reveals a view of the church that is well described by so-called Reformed doctrine. After encountering this book, I More...
This book is the foundation of what is referred to as the Reformed branch of the church. It convinced me that Scripture reveals a view of the church that is well described by so-called Reformed doctrine. After encountering this book, I More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Nov 15, 2007
Max
rated it:
I am currently going through this work for the second time, and find Calvin's prodigious mind and precocious arguments to be very encouraging and enlightening. In an age when many in the church are abandoning the authority of Scripture, it is refreshing to read, from the pen of this great theologian, "Let this point therefore stand: that those whom the Holy Spirit has inwardly taught truly rest upon Scripture, and that Scripture indeed is self-authenticated...therefore, illumined by his po
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 15, 2010
pchan
rated it:
It goes without saying that John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is a classic.
But what of the translation? Which English translation is "best"? As far as I can tell, the two most frequently suggested English translations are the older Henry Beveridge translation and the newer John McNeill-Ford Lewis Battles translation. But does older imply outdated? Or is newer necessarily always better?
I'm not competent enough to decide. For one thing, I don't kn More...
But what of the translation? Which English translation is "best"? As far as I can tell, the two most frequently suggested English translations are the older Henry Beveridge translation and the newer John McNeill-Ford Lewis Battles translation. But does older imply outdated? Or is newer necessarily always better?
I'm not competent enough to decide. For one thing, I don't kn More...
Aug 07, 2011
Matt
rated it:
Calvin did not shy away from a fight. In the early years of the Reformation, he contributed with this defiant tome. Chapters with titles such as Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and His Adherents, in This Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls clearly show to what Calvin is reacting. At a time when the Church’s power, though waning, was still monumentally influential, it is no small feat for a man to defy centuries of established authority.
Howe More...
Howe More...
Feb 12, 2012
Kyle
rated it: 
The 1536 edition of John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion or his “little book” as he calls it is an excellent introduction to Calvin’s thought in its earliest form as well as a nice alternative for those who find the much thicker 1559 edition to large and daunting of a prospect.
The structure of the book is simple: it is divided into six chapters with an epistle dedicatory to Francis, the King of France. The opening epistle serves as both an apologetic defending the bourgeoning Pro More...
The structure of the book is simple: it is divided into six chapters with an epistle dedicatory to Francis, the King of France. The opening epistle serves as both an apologetic defending the bourgeoning Pro More...
Nov 19, 2011
David
rated it:
My big reading goal for 2011, finished!
The first thing to say is that I am not a Reformed Calvinist. If I were to theologically qualify myself, "Wesleyan" and/or "Anabaptist" would be the terms I would choose. Thus, I came to Calvin with a bit of trepidation. That said, I actually enjoyed (maybe "enjoyed" is a bit of an exaggeration) the Institutes. I realized as I read that even where I disagree with Calvin, even the times I wanted to chuck the book More...
The first thing to say is that I am not a Reformed Calvinist. If I were to theologically qualify myself, "Wesleyan" and/or "Anabaptist" would be the terms I would choose. Thus, I came to Calvin with a bit of trepidation. That said, I actually enjoyed (maybe "enjoyed" is a bit of an exaggeration) the Institutes. I realized as I read that even where I disagree with Calvin, even the times I wanted to chuck the book More...
May 12, 2009
Sean
rated it:
Calvin is one of my theological/pastoral heroes. His Institutes still resonate 500 years after his birth, and I cannot think of many 1500 page systematic theologies I would so eagerly consume line by line.
That said, I don't love everything on every page. Book IV in particular seems excessive in its arguments against Catholicism, at least to my Protestant self. But, even that attention to detail demonstrates Calvin's love for sound doctrine that defines the true church. I also don't More...
That said, I don't love everything on every page. Book IV in particular seems excessive in its arguments against Catholicism, at least to my Protestant self. But, even that attention to detail demonstrates Calvin's love for sound doctrine that defines the true church. I also don't More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 25, 2010
Mary-Jane
rated it:
I think this book may take me until the end of 2011 to get through! The book is getting better as I go along. I will be interspersing my reading with other books also.
I am finding it helpful to go directly to the source of Calvinism, rather than the interpretations of others and Calvinist church tradition. I am finding a few refreshing surprises along the way regarding "The Law" (the 10 commandments). The point of the Law is to show our need for salvation (Jesus). The Law ill More...
I am finding it helpful to go directly to the source of Calvinism, rather than the interpretations of others and Calvinist church tradition. I am finding a few refreshing surprises along the way regarding "The Law" (the 10 commandments). The point of the Law is to show our need for salvation (Jesus). The Law ill More...
Dec 18, 2009
Nate
rated it:
This is an amazing piece of work. Calvin's theology goes far beyond his beliefs on predestination. In fact a good reading of this only shows that t.u.l.i.p. is a serious understatement of Calvin's theology. Even those who do not affirm Calvinism should read through the institutes to see a master theologian work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the past year I have been involved in the writing of a thesis that involves differ More...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the past year I have been involved in the writing of a thesis that involves differ More...
Dec 11, 2010
Bob
rated it:
One of the must read books for a theological student. Calvin was simply an intellectual giant and his arguments in the Institutes deal with objections to doctrines that are raised still today. Also, this is the closest work to a systematic theology by any of the reformers, which is why the reformed have had a far greater shaping of the west than any other protestant group, like it or not it is logical. Calvin is also humourous in his polemics.
Mar 13, 2010
J.
rated it:
Very few folks will read these books. I picked up the set while in seminary and have been reading them since.
Very closely resoned and difficult for the average person to read, but sound theologically (except where I disagree as in predestination, but that's another story).
For the scholar or the person who is investigating some of the classic Protestant books, this is a must read (probably most of them have the set anyway).
A must have for the serious student. More...
Very closely resoned and difficult for the average person to read, but sound theologically (except where I disagree as in predestination, but that's another story).
For the scholar or the person who is investigating some of the classic Protestant books, this is a must read (probably most of them have the set anyway).
A must have for the serious student. More...
Aug 06, 2011
Christopher
rated it:
It's interesting that no one becomes a Calvinist without really thinking about it. Our default position as humans seems to be "Give me free will or give me death!" However, this book and ones like it have been for me the starting point to a fuller understanding of what God is really doing in the world, who He is, and what place humans (including myself) have in history. This book influences everything...literally everything I believe about the Bible and how my ministry ought to look
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 06, 2012
Mike
rated it:
This two volume set is the complete systematic theology of one of the most influential and enduring reformers of the Christian Church. Reading it is a task, but there is no way anyone can walk away still carrying any of the modern prejudices against true biblical theology. Read only at your own risk, and be preparred to be challenged in your thinking about the Church.
Jul 19, 2011
Shep
rated it:
What can I say? It is Calvin. Presented in an excellent translation, no less, and with exemplary footnotes from John T. McNeill. Furthermore, it is a classic. Definitely should be in any theologian's library. Laypersons should not allow the sometimes antiquated language to deter them from delving into the work's treasures either. Highly recommended.
Feb 08, 2012
Jeremy
rated it:
Book I (2009): Very devotional. Some of the helpful topics were the noetic effect of sin and images of deity.
Book II (2010): Some of the helpful topics were the effect of the fall on free will, the similarity of the OT and the NT, and the hypostatic union.
Book II (2010): Some of the helpful topics were the effect of the fall on free will, the similarity of the OT and the NT, and the hypostatic union.
Mar 23, 2009
Tina
rated it:
I read this one summer, and it was an incredible read. It's not easy reading, but it's enlightening. Calvin was brilliant. My favorite quote was in the section on original sin, where Calvin said that babies were a "seedbed of sin".
Aug 09, 2011
Robert
rated it: 
It's Calvin. It has good stuff, that I really like. And, well, there's stuff I just don't like. That's the thing, you don't have to swallow it all to benefit from the parts that continue to speak to the heart of Christian faith!
Jun 10, 2011
Steven
rated it:
This probably better than Bavinck, which means the best thing ever. Time and time again, I discover that Calvin has already thought about that question and settled it. This is an easy-to read edition as well.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 02, 2007
Dave
rated it:
This book, a Christian Classic, is highly devotional in its entirety. Many think of this book, never having read it, as being too heavy for the layman, but I would beg too differ since it covers a vast array of Christian doctrine and is so divided in sections that one can easily traverse it for devotional purposes. It is not written in the academic/scientific fashion that most of are classroom textbooks are in this day and age, but is written from the heart of this significant saint and draws
More...
Jul 20, 2010
Dan
rated it:
Loved reading through this book from Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2009 - 500 years after Calvin's birth. This book was - at the same time - doctrinal, theological, devotional and practical.
Feb 04, 2009
This is a really classic book on theology, but I ended up putting it away after a while because of the older translation. I'm really interested in getting the more modern translation by McNeil, I believe it is, because the content otherwise is really good.
Apr 11, 2010
Captainbible
rated it:
This book change my way of viewing Christianity. I was a Pentecostal for 8 years until I read most of this book and since then I have become a Pentecostal/Calvinist.
May 12, 2009
Phillip
rated it:
No one should teach or preach Christianity without being familiar with Calvin. Calvin is classic Christianity, and this edition by McNeil and Battles is excellent.
Jun 25, 2010
Devin
rated it:
Originally written as a handbook for new Christians, John Calvin covers nearly every topic of doctrine which the church deals with. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. Calvin is witty and meticulous. He gets very specific in each of the subjects he addresses. His level of scholarship is something that Christians today would do well to expose themselves to.
In this abridged version, every subject was nicely condensed into bite-sized pieces. One day, I will read the full, 1600-p More...
In this abridged version, every subject was nicely condensed into bite-sized pieces. One day, I will read the full, 1600-p More...
Jan 15, 2011
Cbarrett
rated it:
Calvin is a master theologian/pastor. This book is a treasure. If those who criticize Calvin read this work, they will be better off.
Jul 07, 2010
So far, this book is incredibly good, Calvin is very insightful and I've learned a lot. On the flip side, it's difficult reading.
