What do you think?
Of Prayer and the Christian Life: Selected Writings from the Institutes
"Let the first rule of right prayer then be, to have our heart and mind framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God." So begins John Calvin and his treatise on prayer. These SEMInal writings are from his Magnus Opus The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Prayer as Calvin describes it is not giddy, and he goes on to give Scriptural definitions of proper thought, engagement, and attitude. What do the roles of patience and self-denial play in the role of the Christian life and what does Christian piety look like? What should our views be of the present life and the future life? John Calvin is one of the giants of Christian history. These two sections of The Institutes guide us ever so thoughtfully and gracefully into his theology and practice of Christian living. Wonderfully narrated by James Adams, these are sure to both challenge and encourage one to a fuller devotion to Christ.
5 pages, Audio CD
First published August 1, 2008
About the author
John Calvin
1,820 books563 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 18, 2011
This was a gentle and encouraging introduction to Institutes. His essay on printer go with the objections we construct to making prayer integral part of our lives, and he did so effectively. This was interesting given that many would use the sovereignty of God Calvin is known for extolling as a reason they do not need to pray. God will do what He wants anyway, they say.
The second essay deals with how this right inward relationship with God works its way out into our everyday lives and habits. Calvin covers every area of life with principles general enough that they apply through the centuries. I already applied what he taught on marriage in this essay to what I was studying this morning in Matthew 42.
The second essay deals with how this right inward relationship with God works its way out into our everyday lives and habits. Calvin covers every area of life with principles general enough that they apply through the centuries. I already applied what he taught on marriage in this essay to what I was studying this morning in Matthew 42.
August 28, 2015
Calvin, A French Theologian and Pastor during the Protestant Reformation, wrote one of the greatest and most important works in Christian history called THE INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION. It was the basis for the system of theology that bore his name, Calvinism.
OF PRAYER AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, are selected writings from THE INSTITUTES. Calvin was influenced by Augustine and that influence is present in this work. His theology has many points, but two of the main foundational pillars are the absolute sovereignty of God and predestination. These two concepts are found throughout the book.
Calvin wrote the work originally in Latin and translated. An important fact is that Calvin also used a Latin translation of the Bible which predates the Latin Vulgate. Thus in today's modern scriptural translations, what Calvin used is antiquated. That shows up in the Prayer section when he talks about the Lord's Prayer, as the last part of that prayer, "for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory" does not appear in his translation and therefore no commentary is given. (To the Editor's credit, he notes this and does explain the difference to the modern day reader to avoid confusion.)
All that being said, every one of his points in both sections was supported strongly by scripture that he referenced. Without a doubt the Prayer section is easier to understand, and filled with more nuggets.
The structure is easy to follow, but his style is somewhat 16th Century and Augustinian in its approach. However, unlike Augustine Calvin does not begin his theological contentions from a place where everyone can relate to and work the thought completely through for the reader's benefit. There were times when I had to read a passage two and three times to get the impact of the statements.
I bought this more for the historical value then for the ministerial relevance. I had never read anything by Calvin and now I understand why. Without a doubt OF PRAYER AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE serves as a great introduction into the man and his theological thought patterns. For that reason alone this was worth the investment in terms of time and money. However, if one is hoping for spiritual revelation, OF PRAYER AND CHRISTIAN LIFE will disappoint.
OF PRAYER AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, are selected writings from THE INSTITUTES. Calvin was influenced by Augustine and that influence is present in this work. His theology has many points, but two of the main foundational pillars are the absolute sovereignty of God and predestination. These two concepts are found throughout the book.
Calvin wrote the work originally in Latin and translated. An important fact is that Calvin also used a Latin translation of the Bible which predates the Latin Vulgate. Thus in today's modern scriptural translations, what Calvin used is antiquated. That shows up in the Prayer section when he talks about the Lord's Prayer, as the last part of that prayer, "for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory" does not appear in his translation and therefore no commentary is given. (To the Editor's credit, he notes this and does explain the difference to the modern day reader to avoid confusion.)
All that being said, every one of his points in both sections was supported strongly by scripture that he referenced. Without a doubt the Prayer section is easier to understand, and filled with more nuggets.
The structure is easy to follow, but his style is somewhat 16th Century and Augustinian in its approach. However, unlike Augustine Calvin does not begin his theological contentions from a place where everyone can relate to and work the thought completely through for the reader's benefit. There were times when I had to read a passage two and three times to get the impact of the statements.
I bought this more for the historical value then for the ministerial relevance. I had never read anything by Calvin and now I understand why. Without a doubt OF PRAYER AND THE CHRISTIAN LIFE serves as a great introduction into the man and his theological thought patterns. For that reason alone this was worth the investment in terms of time and money. However, if one is hoping for spiritual revelation, OF PRAYER AND CHRISTIAN LIFE will disappoint.
March 26, 2019
Christianity 101 study for any/all interested in the core premises that shaped modern belief
May 17, 2020
True to Calvin, very hard hitting in a gentle, polite, and humble way. Everything needed to be said (written) and heard (read) and needs to be put into action by those called of God.
I actually listened to the audio book instead of reading and I did enjoy it. My favorite part was chapter 4 section 4. ❤
I actually listened to the audio book instead of reading and I did enjoy it. My favorite part was chapter 4 section 4. ❤
March 13, 2023
A lot of fun to have read some of Calvin's work. I don't agree with him on everything but he definitely was a great theologian.
November 26, 2024
Content: 5 stars
Translation: 3.5 stars. Not idiomatic de todo
Translation: 3.5 stars. Not idiomatic de todo
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews