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John Calvin, Refugee Theologian: Introducing a Reformer in Exile
This book offers a robust introduction to John Calvin's writings through the lens of his experience as a religious refugee.
Calvin knew about persecution and political exile from personal experience. He lived as an exiled fugitive engaged in pastoral ministry to a church that included large numbers of immigrants and refugees. Calvin's teaching also addressed an international community experiencing religious violence and displacement in his day. In this engaging book, Kenneth Woo demonstrates how Calvin sought to make the comfort he found in God accessible to others through sermons, commentaries, letters, polemical treatises, and his magisterial Institutes. In his distinct-yet-inseparable roles as teacher, pastor, and polemicist, the reformer adapted his message of hope in exile to diverse audiences. Woo shows how Calvin's theology is an example of Reformed Christianity's refugee roots and history of pastoral care from the margins. And in a brief conclusion, he offers reflections on what a greater awareness of Calvin as refugee theologian could mean for those engaging his theology today.
John Calvin, Refugee Theologian helps students read Calvin for themselves, attuned to how his theology reflected dynamics of religious violence and migration in his day, making this book especially useful for undergraduate and seminary classes on Calvin, the Reformation, and the history of Christianity. It will also appeal to pastors and Christian educators.
Calvin knew about persecution and political exile from personal experience. He lived as an exiled fugitive engaged in pastoral ministry to a church that included large numbers of immigrants and refugees. Calvin's teaching also addressed an international community experiencing religious violence and displacement in his day. In this engaging book, Kenneth Woo demonstrates how Calvin sought to make the comfort he found in God accessible to others through sermons, commentaries, letters, polemical treatises, and his magisterial Institutes. In his distinct-yet-inseparable roles as teacher, pastor, and polemicist, the reformer adapted his message of hope in exile to diverse audiences. Woo shows how Calvin's theology is an example of Reformed Christianity's refugee roots and history of pastoral care from the margins. And in a brief conclusion, he offers reflections on what a greater awareness of Calvin as refugee theologian could mean for those engaging his theology today.
John Calvin, Refugee Theologian helps students read Calvin for themselves, attuned to how his theology reflected dynamics of religious violence and migration in his day, making this book especially useful for undergraduate and seminary classes on Calvin, the Reformation, and the history of Christianity. It will also appeal to pastors and Christian educators.
232 pages, Paperback
Published December 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 18, 2025
I come to John Calvin, Refugee Theologian as a reader already well acquainted with Calvin’s own voice. I’ve read the Institutes, worked through several of his commentaries, and spent time with multiple biographies, including Bruce Gordon’s, which remains my favorite. I chose Kenneth J. Woo’s book to help fill in gaps in my understanding of Calvin’s historical setting and pastoral pressures.
Woo states clearly that his goal is to recover Calvin as a theologian shaped by exile and displacement, rather than reducing him to doctrinal caricature. On that score, he succeeds. He demonstrates, with care and documentation, how Calvin’s lived experience as a refugee informed his teaching, preaching, and polemics.
That said, this is not a page turner. I downloaded the ebook in late October and finished it in mid-December, which speaks to its density. The strength of the book lies in its research. The “For Further Reading” sections at the end of each chapter are especially helpful, dividing recommendations between “In Calvin’s Words,” which directs readers back to Calvin himself, and “For Digging Deeper,” which lists the work of modern scholars. The extensive index, which begins around the 58 percent mark in the ebook, further reinforces how thoroughly Woo has done his work.
I recommend this book to readers who want to view Calvin from a different angle, but it works best alongside, not in place of, reading Calvin himself.
I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Woo states clearly that his goal is to recover Calvin as a theologian shaped by exile and displacement, rather than reducing him to doctrinal caricature. On that score, he succeeds. He demonstrates, with care and documentation, how Calvin’s lived experience as a refugee informed his teaching, preaching, and polemics.
That said, this is not a page turner. I downloaded the ebook in late October and finished it in mid-December, which speaks to its density. The strength of the book lies in its research. The “For Further Reading” sections at the end of each chapter are especially helpful, dividing recommendations between “In Calvin’s Words,” which directs readers back to Calvin himself, and “For Digging Deeper,” which lists the work of modern scholars. The extensive index, which begins around the 58 percent mark in the ebook, further reinforces how thoroughly Woo has done his work.
I recommend this book to readers who want to view Calvin from a different angle, but it works best alongside, not in place of, reading Calvin himself.
I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 10, 2025
John Calvin, Refugee Theologian – Introducing a Reformer in Exile by Kenneth J. Woo is very helpful to understanding the whys and who John Calvin was. Which is good to know when you are studying his sermons and reading his books. Such as The Institutes and his commentaries. Which I have read some of, so learning about him more through the pages of this book was helpful. I would recommend this book for this very reason or if you are interested in learning more about church history and one of the reformers of the 1500s.
Mr. Woo makes the book helpful and easy to understand with all the the information he writes about John Calvin. Along with providing a summary and further reading and questions to discuss more at end of each chapter.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for review! Opinions are 100% my own! I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.
Mr. Woo makes the book helpful and easy to understand with all the the information he writes about John Calvin. Along with providing a summary and further reading and questions to discuss more at end of each chapter.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing this book for review! Opinions are 100% my own! I did receive the product in exchange for this review and post.
December 4, 2025
John Calvin, Refugee Theologian - Introducing a Reformer in Exile by Kenneth J. Woo offers a look into Calvin’s writings through the lens of his experience as a religious refugee & how much that experience influenced his writings.
This book reads very textbook, it would be great for students, educators, & pastors for sure. At the same time it is very accessible for those just purely interested in some introductory into Calvin, his past & works. Be warned it can be a bit dry with factual knowledge for some.
My biggest critic would be some things among this seemed a bit repetitive as I continued on through the chapters.
All in all I think this was well done & would recommend it to anyone looking for this type of book/ information on Calvin.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc to review! All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews