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Calvin's New Testament Commentaries #4
Gospel According to St. John 1-10
The power of John Calvin's study of the first half of the Gospel of John is masterfully captured in this superb translation by T. H. L. Parker. Precise and authoritative, yet lucid and very readable, this volume will enrich all who are interested in under
327 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1961
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About the author
John Calvin
1,697 books539 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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 22, 2024
THE FOURTH VOLUME OF THIS EDITION OF CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES
Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) provides a detailed, verse-by-verse commentary throughout the New Testament (except for 2 & 3 John, and the Book of Revelation).
He explains, "(God) therefore dictated to the four Evangelists what they should write that, while each had his own part, the whole formed one complete body. It is for us now to blend the four in a mutual connexion, that we may let ourselves be taught as by the one mouth." (Pg. 6)
He notes that "from these words (Jn 3:22) we may infer that John and Christ administered baptism by total immersion, though we must not worry overmuch about the outward rite so long as it accords with the spiritual truth and the Lord's institution and rule." (Pg. 78)
He asserts that Jesus "denies that any unbelievers are His own; and there is no wonder if the truth of God is distasteful to them but is embraced by all God's children." (Pg. 160) Later, he adds, "they are mad who seek their own or others' salvation in the labyrinth of predestination... when God has effectually called us to faith in Christ it should have as much force with us as if He confirmed His decree concerning our salvation with an engraven seal... Therefore every man's faith is an abundant witness to the eternal predestination of God." (Pg. 162) "The whole faculty of free will which the Papists dream about is utterly overturned by these two clauses (in Jn 6:45). (Pg. 165)
Calvin's anti-"Papist" orientation is clearly seen: e.g., "The Pope's gang of mercenaries accuse us of apostasy from the Church, because we have separated from the see of Rome. I wish we could as well protest with complete confidence before God and the angels that we are at the greatest distance from that cess-pool..." (Pg. 2) "The Popish theologasters are stupid to restrict (Jn 3:6) to that part which they call sensual, for Christ's argument must in that case have been the inept one that we need a second birth because a part of us is corrupt." (Pg. 66) In our own day the Pope shoots off his mouth that he is the vicar of Christ." (Pg. 141)
Calvin's commentaries are an important resource, particular for modern Reformed expositors.
Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) provides a detailed, verse-by-verse commentary throughout the New Testament (except for 2 & 3 John, and the Book of Revelation).
He explains, "(God) therefore dictated to the four Evangelists what they should write that, while each had his own part, the whole formed one complete body. It is for us now to blend the four in a mutual connexion, that we may let ourselves be taught as by the one mouth." (Pg. 6)
He notes that "from these words (Jn 3:22) we may infer that John and Christ administered baptism by total immersion, though we must not worry overmuch about the outward rite so long as it accords with the spiritual truth and the Lord's institution and rule." (Pg. 78)
He asserts that Jesus "denies that any unbelievers are His own; and there is no wonder if the truth of God is distasteful to them but is embraced by all God's children." (Pg. 160) Later, he adds, "they are mad who seek their own or others' salvation in the labyrinth of predestination... when God has effectually called us to faith in Christ it should have as much force with us as if He confirmed His decree concerning our salvation with an engraven seal... Therefore every man's faith is an abundant witness to the eternal predestination of God." (Pg. 162) "The whole faculty of free will which the Papists dream about is utterly overturned by these two clauses (in Jn 6:45). (Pg. 165)
Calvin's anti-"Papist" orientation is clearly seen: e.g., "The Pope's gang of mercenaries accuse us of apostasy from the Church, because we have separated from the see of Rome. I wish we could as well protest with complete confidence before God and the angels that we are at the greatest distance from that cess-pool..." (Pg. 2) "The Popish theologasters are stupid to restrict (Jn 3:6) to that part which they call sensual, for Christ's argument must in that case have been the inept one that we need a second birth because a part of us is corrupt." (Pg. 66) In our own day the Pope shoots off his mouth that he is the vicar of Christ." (Pg. 141)
Calvin's commentaries are an important resource, particular for modern Reformed expositors.
July 8, 2021
Some excellent and inspirinig insights into this gospel
September 30, 2019
I appreciated Calvin's attention to the power of the Holy Spirit in sanctification and to the humanity of Christ in his ministry throughout John's Gospel. However, my reasons for not being a Calvinist soon became quite evident, as I find him to be a rather dualistic thinker at key points (God and the world; matter and spirit; Old and New Covenants, etc).
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews