What do you think?
Rate this book
Steward of God's Covenant: Selected Writings
This selection of the writings of John Calvin (1509—1564) is the first for general readers to appear in many years. It showcases his powerful legacy, which has had far-reaching consequences for the development of religion and culture in Western Europe and in the shaping of American identity.
Calvin was a prodigious preacher and writer, and his sermons, Bible commentaries, tracts, and letters fill dozens of volumes. The works chosen for John Calvin: Steward of God’s Covenant highlight ideas central to the Reformation but also to his influence on modern life, e.g., the importance of a work ethic and the notion of being “called” to action in the world; his belief in universal education for boys and girls; and his belief in the sanctity and freedom of individual conscience. Calvin’s theology of the “elect” of God motivated the English and Dutch Calvinists who settled the Atlantic seaboard, their Promised Land. The traditions of their communities and churches and laws produced the widespread present-day American belief in a divinely favored national destiny.
In her brilliant preface to this edition, Pulitzer Prize—winning novelist Marilynne Robinson makes the clearest connection between John Calvin’s own biblical and patristic heritage and the heritage he in turn left the modern world.
Calvin was a prodigious preacher and writer, and his sermons, Bible commentaries, tracts, and letters fill dozens of volumes. The works chosen for John Calvin: Steward of God’s Covenant highlight ideas central to the Reformation but also to his influence on modern life, e.g., the importance of a work ethic and the notion of being “called” to action in the world; his belief in universal education for boys and girls; and his belief in the sanctity and freedom of individual conscience. Calvin’s theology of the “elect” of God motivated the English and Dutch Calvinists who settled the Atlantic seaboard, their Promised Land. The traditions of their communities and churches and laws produced the widespread present-day American belief in a divinely favored national destiny.
In her brilliant preface to this edition, Pulitzer Prize—winning novelist Marilynne Robinson makes the clearest connection between John Calvin’s own biblical and patristic heritage and the heritage he in turn left the modern world.
- GenresTheologyChristianity
464 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2006
About the author
John Calvin
1,754 books546 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 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 14, 2021
1. Calvin's actually not an asshole.
2. Calvin should've never been systematized as virtually all of his theological commitments stem from pastoral concerns i.e. Icons mislead these peasant Christians who think they contain magical powers?? Throw them out. Why are these priests celibate if they're burning with lust? They should just marry. There are not many instances where Calvin tackles a doctrinal issue head-on in this selection, even in his institutes.
3. The excerpt from his commentary on Isaiah makes it pretty clear that he's not a TULIP kinda guy: "...the blame lies wholly with ourselves [for resisting God's call because we disregard the saving and life-giving word... These repetitions [of God's call] describe the patience of God in calling us, for he does not merely invite us once, but when he sees that we are sluggish, he gives a second and even a third warning, in order to conquer our hard-heartedness." Irresistible grace? nah. I only mention this because Neo-Calvinism sucks.
4. Ok, but is it really necessary to bash the pope at the end of every sermon though.
5. I find it interesting that the puritanism of Calvin slowly devolved into manifest destiny. Reading this next to McCaraher's Enchantments of Mammon made me recognize that as much as Calvin warned against indulging in wealth ("[The Christian] must indulge in as little as possible.... it must be his constant aim not only to curb luxury, but to cut off all show of superfluous abundance... (113)"), people will/did misunderstand him (as they misunderstood Catholic theology... though I will admit it needed significant reforms). This is nothing against Calvin, of course, only that it's ironic how Calvin tried to make things right by correcting "bad popish practices," only to lead people off another cliff.
6. I don't know how I feel about Calvin's interpretation of all tragedies befalling Christians as a form of chastisement from God. There are tragedies more severe than acceptable that Calvin seems ok to gloss over, though I do agree with Marilynne Robinson that it may be more pastorally helpful (again... Calvin's main concern) for people to know that God has not abandoned them.
7. Talking about abandonment.... Calvin's abandoning of sacramental exegesis causes a LOT of issues when it comes to understanding OT God as righteous. It opens a can of worms ethically, and Calvin's only response for God's not-so-friendly actions seems to be moving the goalpost by misinterpreting/misapplying Romans 9 -- who are you to talk back to God? You're a worm, dirt, blind sheep, dumb [insert other insults here]. His exegesis I find particularly deplorable, especially his taking the Psalms at face value as literal descriptions of God's character.
8. Overall, I can appreciate Calvin for what he was trying to do, though I find myself moving further and further away from how addressed these issues.
2. Calvin should've never been systematized as virtually all of his theological commitments stem from pastoral concerns i.e. Icons mislead these peasant Christians who think they contain magical powers?? Throw them out. Why are these priests celibate if they're burning with lust? They should just marry. There are not many instances where Calvin tackles a doctrinal issue head-on in this selection, even in his institutes.
3. The excerpt from his commentary on Isaiah makes it pretty clear that he's not a TULIP kinda guy: "...the blame lies wholly with ourselves [for resisting God's call because we disregard the saving and life-giving word... These repetitions [of God's call] describe the patience of God in calling us, for he does not merely invite us once, but when he sees that we are sluggish, he gives a second and even a third warning, in order to conquer our hard-heartedness." Irresistible grace? nah. I only mention this because Neo-Calvinism sucks.
4. Ok, but is it really necessary to bash the pope at the end of every sermon though.
5. I find it interesting that the puritanism of Calvin slowly devolved into manifest destiny. Reading this next to McCaraher's Enchantments of Mammon made me recognize that as much as Calvin warned against indulging in wealth ("[The Christian] must indulge in as little as possible.... it must be his constant aim not only to curb luxury, but to cut off all show of superfluous abundance... (113)"), people will/did misunderstand him (as they misunderstood Catholic theology... though I will admit it needed significant reforms). This is nothing against Calvin, of course, only that it's ironic how Calvin tried to make things right by correcting "bad popish practices," only to lead people off another cliff.
6. I don't know how I feel about Calvin's interpretation of all tragedies befalling Christians as a form of chastisement from God. There are tragedies more severe than acceptable that Calvin seems ok to gloss over, though I do agree with Marilynne Robinson that it may be more pastorally helpful (again... Calvin's main concern) for people to know that God has not abandoned them.
7. Talking about abandonment.... Calvin's abandoning of sacramental exegesis causes a LOT of issues when it comes to understanding OT God as righteous. It opens a can of worms ethically, and Calvin's only response for God's not-so-friendly actions seems to be moving the goalpost by misinterpreting/misapplying Romans 9 -- who are you to talk back to God? You're a worm, dirt, blind sheep, dumb [insert other insults here]. His exegesis I find particularly deplorable, especially his taking the Psalms at face value as literal descriptions of God's character.
8. Overall, I can appreciate Calvin for what he was trying to do, though I find myself moving further and further away from how addressed these issues.
July 1, 2008
Great compilation for those who always thought they should read Calvin but could never quite muster the motivation for it . . . contains sections from The Institutes, his commentaries, sermons, prayers, and biographical information.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews