John Calvin's Ideas

by Paul Helm

This is a major study of the theological thought of John Calvin, which examines his central theological ideas through a philosophical lens, looking at issues in Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Ethics. The study, the first of its kind, is concerned with how Calvin actually uses philosophical ideas in his work as a theologian and biblical commentator. The book also includes a careful examination of those ideas of Calvin to which the Reformed Epistemologists appeal, to find grounds and precedent for their development of `Reformed Epistemology', notably the sensus divinitatis and the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy

450 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Paul Helm teached philosophy at the University of Liverpool before becoming Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion at King s College, London (1993-2000).

Reviews

[Aid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helm presents Calvin's ideas in a way that is clear and engaging, I especially enjoyed the chapters on free-will and the extra Calvinisticum, from which I learned a lot. The book does a good job dispelling common misconceptions about Calvin's thought, such as that he totally rejected natural theology or affirmed divine command theory.

The last chapter of the book was definitely the worst, and the reason why I'm giving only three stars, for Helm projects back onto Calvin a view of eternal justification which I think he pretty obviously didn't hold. It's a shame since other than that it was a great book.

I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in Calvin and the chapters on Free Will and the Extra Calvinisticum to everyone, since they're based and true-pilled.

[Adriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating study. Very scholarly work. Book for nerds.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helm had some good chapters on the extra-Calvinisticum, Sensus Divintas, and Revelation. I fear, though, he made Calvin address things calvin never addressed.

Per the extra-Calvinisticum, I don't know if Helm realized it, but the "receptacle" notion propounded by Torrance *is* directly relevant to the issue.

I enjoyed watching the in-house debate between helm and Plantinga on the nature of warrant and if it relates to Calvin's Sensus Divinitas. I think the difference between the two philosopheres is overdrawn.

[Cbarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this after you read his Calvin: A Guide for the Complex. Deals with many of the same things, just a bit more thoroughly and deeply. Helm is one of the leading scholars on John Calvin.