What do you think?
Rate this book
Tracts and Letters: Volume 1: Tracts, Part I
This volume contains:
Life of John Calvin, by Theodore Beza,
Letter by James Sadolet, a Roman Cardinal, to the Senate and People of Geneva,
Reply by John Calvin to Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and People of Geneva,
Articles agreed upon by the Faculty of Sacred Theology of Paris, with the Antidote,
The Necessity of Reforming the Church
A Paternal Admonition by the Roman Pontiff, Paul III,, to the Most Invincible Emperor, Charles V.,
Remarks on the Letters of Pope Paul III.,
An admonition, showing the Advantage which Christendom might derive from an Inventory of Relics,
Life of John Calvin, by Theodore Beza,
Letter by James Sadolet, a Roman Cardinal, to the Senate and People of Geneva,
Reply by John Calvin to Letter by Cardinal Sadolet to the Senate and People of Geneva,
Articles agreed upon by the Faculty of Sacred Theology of Paris, with the Antidote,
The Necessity of Reforming the Church
A Paternal Admonition by the Roman Pontiff, Paul III,, to the Most Invincible Emperor, Charles V.,
Remarks on the Letters of Pope Paul III.,
An admonition, showing the Advantage which Christendom might derive from an Inventory of Relics,
- GenresTheologyChurch History
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
John Calvin
1,710 books541 followersFrench-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in
Institutes of the Christian Religion
(1536).
The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.
* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)
Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.
After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.
Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.
Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.
The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.
* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)
Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.
After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.
Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.
Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 27, 2025
Note: I read only the Necessity of Reforming the Church. Calvin’s argument turns upon four heads - worship, the doctrines of salvation, the sacraments, and church government. In these heads, the same four points come up often - the glory of God, the regulative principle, the protections afforded the conscience, and the role of the pastor in promoting all three.
Needless to say, all of these need to be restated in our own day, particularly how the regulative principle guides all of the Christian life to the glory of God and the upholding of a peaceful conscience. If we applied Calvin’s rubric to several branches of the Protestant Church today, it would not be a stretch to say that they are closer to Rome than their Protestant forebearers.
Needless to say, all of these need to be restated in our own day, particularly how the regulative principle guides all of the Christian life to the glory of God and the upholding of a peaceful conscience. If we applied Calvin’s rubric to several branches of the Protestant Church today, it would not be a stretch to say that they are closer to Rome than their Protestant forebearers.
November 13, 2021
This is volume 1 of 7. It begins with Beza's biographical account of Calvin - an account more intimate than any other biographer - most definitely worth the time. Included in the text is a letter to Geneva by Cardinal Sadolet, with Calvin's rebuttal. Sadolet gets destroyed. After which is Calvin's response to the Faculty of Theology at Paris, then Calvin's 'Necessity of Reforming the Church' written to Charles V, after which is Pope John Paul III (Paul Farnese) attempts to set the Genevese straight. Calvin's response follows. Farnese is exposed for the raving heretic/hypocrite he is. This is a guy that has multiple (awful) children while pretending to subscribe to priestly celibacy. He doesn't even try. The final work is Calvin's inventory of relics. It's hard to believe people could be so gullible - but it was a different time. Except, they still peddle this garbage. Calvin's humor is most revealed in this text.
November 22, 2020
A highly-consumable Calvin volume, noteworthy for its excellent representative selection.
Beza’s biography of Calvin...whew. Stylistically, it’s no masterpiece of literature. But it doesn’t need to be. There’s something so...right, and humbling, and encouraging, and faith-affirming about reading a summary of the life of a well-known faithful servant of Christ, written by ANOTHER well-know servant of Christ, who had the privilege of working with his subject in the trenches. It has a candor and empathy that leaps off the page, much like a D’Aubigne history, but from first-hand knowledge. This alone would’ve made the volume a worthwhile read.
A few good pedagogical primers in how to “answer the fool according to his folly”. Personal favorite of the volume was the antidotes to the Faculty of Sacred Theology in Paris. Loved seeing the unapologetic use of circular reasoning in the Catholic defense—always a good laugh when “because anything else would destroy my house of cards” can be delivered so earnestly. I think modern Christians would benefit from seeing more examples of direct/immediate engagement like this, how to break down an opposition’s defenses point-by-point instead of searching for the zinger/one-liner/gotcha they’re trained to chase/use through modern media (full arguments can NEVER be delivered in 140 characters or less).
The wonderfully sarcastic rebuke on Relics is also a necessary read for Protestants who, while aware of the general idea of idolatry occurring within the Romish Ridiculosity, never really get to see the thoroughness of the idolatry infection, nor take the opportunity to reflect on how thoroughly sheepled the average Catholic practitioner must be to go along with such blatant propaganda.
“Let everyone, then, be on his guard, and not allow himself to be led along like an irrational animal, and as if he were incapable of discerning any way or path by which he might be guided safely.”
“Let every one, therefore, who is inclined, guard against this risk. Henceforth no man will be able to excuse himself by pretending ignorance.”
Beza’s biography of Calvin...whew. Stylistically, it’s no masterpiece of literature. But it doesn’t need to be. There’s something so...right, and humbling, and encouraging, and faith-affirming about reading a summary of the life of a well-known faithful servant of Christ, written by ANOTHER well-know servant of Christ, who had the privilege of working with his subject in the trenches. It has a candor and empathy that leaps off the page, much like a D’Aubigne history, but from first-hand knowledge. This alone would’ve made the volume a worthwhile read.
A few good pedagogical primers in how to “answer the fool according to his folly”. Personal favorite of the volume was the antidotes to the Faculty of Sacred Theology in Paris. Loved seeing the unapologetic use of circular reasoning in the Catholic defense—always a good laugh when “because anything else would destroy my house of cards” can be delivered so earnestly. I think modern Christians would benefit from seeing more examples of direct/immediate engagement like this, how to break down an opposition’s defenses point-by-point instead of searching for the zinger/one-liner/gotcha they’re trained to chase/use through modern media (full arguments can NEVER be delivered in 140 characters or less).
The wonderfully sarcastic rebuke on Relics is also a necessary read for Protestants who, while aware of the general idea of idolatry occurring within the Romish Ridiculosity, never really get to see the thoroughness of the idolatry infection, nor take the opportunity to reflect on how thoroughly sheepled the average Catholic practitioner must be to go along with such blatant propaganda.
“Let everyone, then, be on his guard, and not allow himself to be led along like an irrational animal, and as if he were incapable of discerning any way or path by which he might be guided safely.”
“Let every one, therefore, who is inclined, guard against this risk. Henceforth no man will be able to excuse himself by pretending ignorance.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2024
Good. The Goodreads description of this volume gives its contents. The contents all relate to Catholicism and the Reformation. Calvin combines precise theology, knowledge of history, and polemical ability to attack the Catholic stance on a variety of issues. However, the refutation of Catholicism is not exactly systematic, nor are the contents reduced to just theoretical issues concerning Catholicism.
To illustrate the former point, concerning the Catholic distinctions between dulia, hyperdulia, et latria , Calvin simply responds with something like "As if the regular person bowing down before an icon considers this distinction." This response is more of a common sense response than a systematic evaluation of the Catholic view on venerating icons. To illustrate the latter point, Calvin often defends himself and the Reformers from character assassinations, like rebutting the idea that the Reformers desired money by saying that there were far better ways outside of being a Reformer to get money. Neither of these points are negative, and for the context that Calvin was writing in, they are highly appropriate. However, a reader should keep these points in mind.
To illustrate the former point, concerning the Catholic distinctions between dulia, hyperdulia, et latria , Calvin simply responds with something like "As if the regular person bowing down before an icon considers this distinction." This response is more of a common sense response than a systematic evaluation of the Catholic view on venerating icons. To illustrate the latter point, Calvin often defends himself and the Reformers from character assassinations, like rebutting the idea that the Reformers desired money by saying that there were far better ways outside of being a Reformer to get money. Neither of these points are negative, and for the context that Calvin was writing in, they are highly appropriate. However, a reader should keep these points in mind.
April 14, 2017
This volume is the first of this seven volume set and it's... well it's alright.
The opening section is a history of Calvin's life written by his understudy Beza. This is, in my opinion, the best section of the volume. Beza gives insight into the day to day of the big JC himself, while also furnishing his narrative with interesting historical details surrounding Geneva that I never knew about.
The other sections of the book are interesting at times, and amazingly boring at others. Sure, a few letters written by some catholic lads are interesting for providing the context of Calvin's responses, but how much polemical letter writing do we really need in our lives, if any? The final section on relics was a real low point for me. Sure, this is an anthology of Calvin's lesser known works and, at the time of its writing, was a biting (and overtly satirical) refutation of Catholic stupidity regarding their icons, but surely this is something you sneak into the one of the later volumes?
The section on "the necessity of reforming the church" deserves a mention. Firstly, it provides an awesome insight into the way Calvin frames his arguments and presents his points. He is a (punishingly) precise man. Each and every point of dispute that is brought up is engaged with. Every piece of catholic dogma that he sees as problematic is spelled out - making it take an eternity before we reach the more pragmatic steps of reforming a church. Again, historically speaking, this letter is a gem. No doubt the compelling arguments it offers and the concise(?) summary of catholic errors were persuasive to its intended reader, but it nonetheless feels a bit tiring by the end.
Now, I'm aware that this is a collection of letters and tracts from a 16th Century Reformer, and thus should not expect some immensely engaging and relevant content. But, considering how powerfully the Institutes deals with issues still pesting the church today (and his surprisingly persistent pastoral tone throughout), it is disappointing to see how ... boring ... this volume was.
Oh, well! Only 6 more to go. Wish me luck.
The opening section is a history of Calvin's life written by his understudy Beza. This is, in my opinion, the best section of the volume. Beza gives insight into the day to day of the big JC himself, while also furnishing his narrative with interesting historical details surrounding Geneva that I never knew about.
The other sections of the book are interesting at times, and amazingly boring at others. Sure, a few letters written by some catholic lads are interesting for providing the context of Calvin's responses, but how much polemical letter writing do we really need in our lives, if any? The final section on relics was a real low point for me. Sure, this is an anthology of Calvin's lesser known works and, at the time of its writing, was a biting (and overtly satirical) refutation of Catholic stupidity regarding their icons, but surely this is something you sneak into the one of the later volumes?
The section on "the necessity of reforming the church" deserves a mention. Firstly, it provides an awesome insight into the way Calvin frames his arguments and presents his points. He is a (punishingly) precise man. Each and every point of dispute that is brought up is engaged with. Every piece of catholic dogma that he sees as problematic is spelled out - making it take an eternity before we reach the more pragmatic steps of reforming a church. Again, historically speaking, this letter is a gem. No doubt the compelling arguments it offers and the concise(?) summary of catholic errors were persuasive to its intended reader, but it nonetheless feels a bit tiring by the end.
Now, I'm aware that this is a collection of letters and tracts from a 16th Century Reformer, and thus should not expect some immensely engaging and relevant content. But, considering how powerfully the Institutes deals with issues still pesting the church today (and his surprisingly persistent pastoral tone throughout), it is disappointing to see how ... boring ... this volume was.
Oh, well! Only 6 more to go. Wish me luck.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews