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Calvin's Ladder: A Spiritual Theology of Ascent and Ascension
Are Christians truly invited to share in God or just in his gifts? The language of “participation” has been hotly debated for centuries, many Protestants protesting that aspiring to share in God is akin to attempting to ascend to his level. John Calvin’s theology is often brought in to support this contention. Here Julie Canlis argues that to do so reflects a complete misunderstanding of Calvin. In fact, she says, it is precisely Calvin’s inclusion of participation that makes his theology so robust and spiritually enduring. Calvin’s Ladder traces the theme of participation in early Christian spirituality, then reveals how Calvin reworks it into the heart of his Protestant manifesto on theology. This groundbreaking book suggests an entirely distinctive way of conceiving the relation between God and humanity, challenging not only old caricatures of Calvin but also our own self-portraits.
298 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 9, 2013
One of the best theological books I've read, and exemplifies what we're striving to do at the Reformed Liturgical Institute. Canlis reveals a rich legacy of theological insights in Calvin's thought, weaving together the themes of participation, ascension, adoption and eucharist. Canlis interacts with a wide variety of commentators on Calvin, and doesn't hesitate to gently correct and question some of the respected figures in Calvin scholarship. Further, she shows how recovering Calvin's theology of "participation" helps balance certain readings of Calvin and certain strains of the Calvinist tradition. As an example of "reformed catholicity," her treatment of Irenaeus's theology of participation is especially insightful, even when she uses Irenaeus to modify Calvin's own theology of participation. As a student of the church fathers, surely this is something Calvin would appreciate. Overall, a theological feast well worth savoring!
January 30, 2018
This is a truly excellent book, a thoughtful and sympathetic reading of Calvin around the doctrine of participation. I'm not up enough on Calvin scholarship to know much about its reception, but it definitely reoriented how I think about Calvin and left me hungry to read both Calvin and Irenaeus of Lyon!
March 5, 2012
One of my recent theological favorites that non-specialists can read and be inspired by. This book will help you understand what Calvin really wrote about.
February 15, 2021
It’s no wonder why Canlis received such praise for this work- at certain points, her theology reads like prose and her manner is worshipful but tempered. In terms of method (and the way Canlis undercuts the Platonic assumption), this book is an excellent addition to 21st century Reformed scholarship. Now in terms of getting Calvin right, I’m not convinced of her thesis... but isn’t that half of the fun?
September 21, 2022
A very interesting piece of work on Calvin's doctrine of participation as union with Christ. This is taken from the perspective of descent and ascent.
December 14, 2016
Pretty good. 3.5 stars.
Fresh insight to Calvin's theology. She can bring elements that I think are peripheral to the center sometimes. Might try to present Calvin in a neater, more unified way than necessary., but all in all it's a well argued piece. I'll have to read it again in the near future and re-evaluate some material. It's probably better than I realize.
Fresh insight to Calvin's theology. She can bring elements that I think are peripheral to the center sometimes. Might try to present Calvin in a neater, more unified way than necessary., but all in all it's a well argued piece. I'll have to read it again in the near future and re-evaluate some material. It's probably better than I realize.
May 3, 2012
This is a really wonderful book. I loved the chapter on Irenaeus, and the assessment of Calvin was greatly helpful. It was a great reminder of the broadness of Calvin and the centrality of his Christian Humanism. Encouraging and exciting to read.
November 17, 2010
Life-changing book. If you thought that you knew Calvin before, you'll realize you didn't after you've read Canlis' superb offering!
Want to Read
November 10, 2017Recommended by a colleague.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews