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Armchair Theologians
Calvin for Armchair Theologians
In this concise introduction to Calvin's life and thought, Christopher Elwood offers an insightful and accessible overview of Calvin's key teachings within his historical context. The trials and travails Calvin encountered as he ministered and taught in Geneva are discussed, with special attention given to theological controversies associated with the Trinity and predestination. Elwood indicates the ways that Calvinism developed and its influence in today's world. Illustrations are interspersed throughout the text and humorously illuminate key points providing an engaging introduction to this important theologian.
Written by experts but designed for the novice, the Armchair series provides accurate, concise, and witty overviews of some of the most profound moments and theologians in Christian history. These books are essential supplements for first-time encounters with primary texts, lucid refreshers for scholars and clergy, and enjoyable reads for the theologically curious.
Written by experts but designed for the novice, the Armchair series provides accurate, concise, and witty overviews of some of the most profound moments and theologians in Christian history. These books are essential supplements for first-time encounters with primary texts, lucid refreshers for scholars and clergy, and enjoyable reads for the theologically curious.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Christopher Elwood
10 books1 followerChristopher Elwood is a historian of Christianity, with particular expertise in the early modern period and broad interest in other periods, who thinks of himself as a historical theologian.
“I think it is important that members of our churches become aware of the connections between what they believe and the social and political commitments they hold. This concern influences my efforts to encourage seminary students to see the way theological ideas ‘live’ in particular historical environments and how this has application to our own reflection on the beliefs we hold and the way we express them theologically.”
Teaching courses in theology and the history of Christianity, with a concentration on the period from the Reformation to the present, Dr. Elwood maintains research and writing interests in the history and theology of the Reformation period, the theology of John Calvin, theological interpretations of the body, gender and sexuality, and the intersections of theology and culture.
As the child of a diplomat, Dr. Elwood grew up in many places, including Brazil and Trinidad. He spent two years following his undergraduate studies serving as athe headmaster of Shiveye Secondary School in western Kenya. He was the pastor of two Congregational churches in Massachusetts and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He joined the Louisville Seminary faculty in 1996, having taught previously at Harvard Divinity School and Davidson College. He is active in his local congregation and is a member of several organizations including the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, the American Historical Association, and the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference.
Dr. Elwood is author of The Body Broken: The Calvinist Doctrine of the Eucharist and the Symbolization of Power in Sixteenth-Century France (Oxford University Press, 1999) and Calvin for Armchair Theologians (Westminster John Knox, 2002) which has been translated and published in German and French. He is currently working on a study of understandings of embodiment, sexuality, and death that emerged from Christian cultures of the Reformation era.
“I think it is important that members of our churches become aware of the connections between what they believe and the social and political commitments they hold. This concern influences my efforts to encourage seminary students to see the way theological ideas ‘live’ in particular historical environments and how this has application to our own reflection on the beliefs we hold and the way we express them theologically.”
Teaching courses in theology and the history of Christianity, with a concentration on the period from the Reformation to the present, Dr. Elwood maintains research and writing interests in the history and theology of the Reformation period, the theology of John Calvin, theological interpretations of the body, gender and sexuality, and the intersections of theology and culture.
As the child of a diplomat, Dr. Elwood grew up in many places, including Brazil and Trinidad. He spent two years following his undergraduate studies serving as athe headmaster of Shiveye Secondary School in western Kenya. He was the pastor of two Congregational churches in Massachusetts and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He joined the Louisville Seminary faculty in 1996, having taught previously at Harvard Divinity School and Davidson College. He is active in his local congregation and is a member of several organizations including the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, the American Historical Association, and the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference.
Dr. Elwood is author of The Body Broken: The Calvinist Doctrine of the Eucharist and the Symbolization of Power in Sixteenth-Century France (Oxford University Press, 1999) and Calvin for Armchair Theologians (Westminster John Knox, 2002) which has been translated and published in German and French. He is currently working on a study of understandings of embodiment, sexuality, and death that emerged from Christian cultures of the Reformation era.
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March 14, 2013This is the fourth book I read in the "Armchair Theologians" series, and one of the better ones I would say though my favorite was on Martin Luther. This work does a good job in explaining John Calvin's biography--how he started out as a humanist and lawyer and eventually a pastor and theologian. Calvin's story of how he got to Geneva is a testimony of God's providence--for Calvin was originally taking a detour to another place and happened to visit the city only to be persuaded (well threatened with God's Wrath) to stay--an important decision that made tremendous impact in history. I appreciated the author's discussion about the Institutes of Christian religion, and the background for why Calvin wrote this book along with the author's observation of how Calvin organized his theology. What I appreciate the most about this book is the fact that the author tackled some of the controversies surrounding Calvin with the consideration of Calvin in his historical situation. Evaluating Calvin in this light removes some of the objections people have stated against him or his theology. For instance, in the Predestination debate with Bolsec, the author revealed that Bolsec was the one who initiated attacking Calvin's view first and also reminded the reader that Bolsec's negative biography had an ax to grind. It seems that there cannot be any discussion about Calvin's controversial life without the mention of Michael Servetus. Contrary to some myths, Michael Servetus was not killed by John Calvin since he was a pastor/theologian and not a member of the magistrate. In addition, the book pointed out that Calvin at that time didn't enjoy a particularly good relationship with the rulers of Geneva so it's doubtful how much pull Calvin had on the officials during that time. Calvin's involvement at first was to correct Servetus and he was even originally not in favor of any punishment against Servetus. The book also considered the Servetus controversy in it's historical setting, and while it does not necessarily excuse what happened it should slow down the modern critic from ignorantly assuming Geneva was a hotbed of Calvinistic tyranny. Geneva at that time had already a reputation for being too tolerant for sheltering what some perceived to be too many theological wild cats and when Servetus came along the officials in Geneva even consulted with other cities as to what to do with him. Thus, Geneva was under mounting pressure to do something. Readers must remember that this was not a time period in which religious tolerance was at a premium; yet Geneva's only religious execution was Servetus in contrasts to the multitudes the Roman Catholics managed to kill in religious wars or burn at the stakes those who were Protestants, etc. The most problematic part of the book was the last chapter on the heirs of Calvin, where the author's careful and thoughtful reflection gets unhinged and his theologically more liberal perspective shows. Elwood thinks that theological Liberals, Barthians, Neo-Orthodox and Liberation Theologians are legitimate heirs to Calvin's legacy while seeing Conservative Reformed Christians such as those of Old Princeton as the wacky right wing extremists of Calvin's theological lineage. This would seems strange to most people and no doubt this reveals more of Elwood's theological paradigm than it does about Calvin's legacy. Elwood here assumes that Semper Reformanda gives license for him to assume that whatever have changed over time can be rightly called "Calvinistic." However I don't think that's true to the spirit of Semper Reformanda--Calvin's principle of "always reforming" assumes a high view of Scripture and the Word of God as normative--something that some of Calvin's alleged heirs that Elwood asserts in this book have failed to subscribe to.
August 31, 2014
by Christopher Elwood
★★★★
This is another book in the Armchair Theologians series provided to me by Logos Bible Software for review. I found this one just a little more dry than other books in the series–more of a “just the facts, ma’am” presentation–but it did warm up nearer the end. For someone looking for a quick intro to Calvin, his life and very basic theology, this is a handy little book.
In some ways, Calvin gets a bum rap. Followers through the years have taken his tangential findings on election and turned them into full-blown predestination theology, a way of thinking that many Christians find utterly repulsive. Calvin also was a product of his times, so his hard-line stance against what he considered heretical ideas was not out of place for his era. His actions, such as burning opponents at the stake, today might raise a few eyebrows but Christianity has evolved. His insistence that curiosity which leads to questioning church doctrine garners a special place in hell doesn’t jibe with today’s inquisitive liberal scholars.
But Calvin didn’t consider himself a theologian; he felt that theology was “faith seeking understanding.” Is God really the cause of pain and suffering, as Calvin’s detractors often concluded from his doctrine? No. Have faith, Calvin would say. Somehow, from God’s point of view–which is far above ours–all things work out for good. Besides … we, as poor sinners born in iniquity and corruption, transgress against God’s holy commandments without end, yet God in his grace has chosen us. Well, some of us. The rest are predestined for hell.
Calvin was a dedicated Christian; of that, I’m convinced. He honestly felt his understanding of God was not harsh, but soothing. His legacy has become so complex, his ideas battered around so much, that we have lost sight of the God-fearing man he was. So, pick this little book up and get to know him better.
Westminster John Knox Press, © 2002, x pages
ISBN: 978-0-664-22303-8
Reviewed on Logos Bible Software
★★★★
This is another book in the Armchair Theologians series provided to me by Logos Bible Software for review. I found this one just a little more dry than other books in the series–more of a “just the facts, ma’am” presentation–but it did warm up nearer the end. For someone looking for a quick intro to Calvin, his life and very basic theology, this is a handy little book.
In some ways, Calvin gets a bum rap. Followers through the years have taken his tangential findings on election and turned them into full-blown predestination theology, a way of thinking that many Christians find utterly repulsive. Calvin also was a product of his times, so his hard-line stance against what he considered heretical ideas was not out of place for his era. His actions, such as burning opponents at the stake, today might raise a few eyebrows but Christianity has evolved. His insistence that curiosity which leads to questioning church doctrine garners a special place in hell doesn’t jibe with today’s inquisitive liberal scholars.
But Calvin didn’t consider himself a theologian; he felt that theology was “faith seeking understanding.” Is God really the cause of pain and suffering, as Calvin’s detractors often concluded from his doctrine? No. Have faith, Calvin would say. Somehow, from God’s point of view–which is far above ours–all things work out for good. Besides … we, as poor sinners born in iniquity and corruption, transgress against God’s holy commandments without end, yet God in his grace has chosen us. Well, some of us. The rest are predestined for hell.
Calvin was a dedicated Christian; of that, I’m convinced. He honestly felt his understanding of God was not harsh, but soothing. His legacy has become so complex, his ideas battered around so much, that we have lost sight of the God-fearing man he was. So, pick this little book up and get to know him better.
Westminster John Knox Press, © 2002, x pages
ISBN: 978-0-664-22303-8
Reviewed on Logos Bible Software
March 28, 2023
Helpful overview.
November 30, 2014
I wanted to study Calvin because I belong to a "Calvinist" denomination and wanted to know why so many people disapprove of Calvinists.
I was largely confused about this because we don't use that term to describe ourselves. The term we use is "Reformed," which encompasses far more than just Calvin's teachings.
Having read the book, I still don't understand the disapproval, because of course everything laid out here lines up nicely with what I already believe. At least I don't have to change churches.
Elwood gives a good overview of Calvin's life and teaching, including a detailed breakdown of the Institutes that forms the bulk of the book. He also analyses what happened to Calvinism once Calvin had died, and this is probably the most important part of the book for me. Because as with so many things, Calvin's followers took his teachings in many different directions, so that, as Elwood points out, both a liberal feminist and a conservative fundamentalist may both see themselves as following Calvin's Reformed Theology.
Elwood points out that Calvinism has "important genetic traits that have been passed down to a now very diverse, and certainly dysfunctional, Calvinist family." So in this sense complaining about "Calvinists" is kind of like complaining about "Americans" or "Christians." It is painting a very large, very diverse group of people with a very narrow brush.
Elwood's writing is crisp and concise, and the book is well-organized. It is a little on the lightweight side, at only 172 pages, many of which contain very large, mostly disposable illustrations. The illustrations are cute, but with few exceptions, they don't contribute to understanding the text, giving the impression that they are only there to bump the book up to some arbitrary page count, or maybe to take what could be a daunting topic and make it seem more friendly.
Elwood provides an excellent "Further Reading" list, which is helpfully broken down into sub-topics.
This book is an excellent overview for anyone seeking greater understanding of Calvin as a person, or of his teachings.
I was largely confused about this because we don't use that term to describe ourselves. The term we use is "Reformed," which encompasses far more than just Calvin's teachings.
Having read the book, I still don't understand the disapproval, because of course everything laid out here lines up nicely with what I already believe. At least I don't have to change churches.
Elwood gives a good overview of Calvin's life and teaching, including a detailed breakdown of the Institutes that forms the bulk of the book. He also analyses what happened to Calvinism once Calvin had died, and this is probably the most important part of the book for me. Because as with so many things, Calvin's followers took his teachings in many different directions, so that, as Elwood points out, both a liberal feminist and a conservative fundamentalist may both see themselves as following Calvin's Reformed Theology.
Elwood points out that Calvinism has "important genetic traits that have been passed down to a now very diverse, and certainly dysfunctional, Calvinist family." So in this sense complaining about "Calvinists" is kind of like complaining about "Americans" or "Christians." It is painting a very large, very diverse group of people with a very narrow brush.
Elwood's writing is crisp and concise, and the book is well-organized. It is a little on the lightweight side, at only 172 pages, many of which contain very large, mostly disposable illustrations. The illustrations are cute, but with few exceptions, they don't contribute to understanding the text, giving the impression that they are only there to bump the book up to some arbitrary page count, or maybe to take what could be a daunting topic and make it seem more friendly.
Elwood provides an excellent "Further Reading" list, which is helpfully broken down into sub-topics.
This book is an excellent overview for anyone seeking greater understanding of Calvin as a person, or of his teachings.
October 25, 2017
Calvin for Armchair Theologians (CAT) is the first of the "Armchair" books that I've read. From the standpoint of a biography, most of CAT gives a good introduction to Calvin and his writings, considering him in his historical context. It also gives a fair treatment of his theological stances, demonstrating that Calvin wasn't as driven by controversy as some would believe today. CAT was worth the read for this overview.
While the book paints Calvin in a generally positive light, the last chapter of CAT claims Calvin's legacy for European liberalism. It subsumes higher-critical theologians under the heading Semper Reformanda, a baffling claim, to say the least. CAT would benefit from an exorcism of this frustrating chapter.
While the book paints Calvin in a generally positive light, the last chapter of CAT claims Calvin's legacy for European liberalism. It subsumes higher-critical theologians under the heading Semper Reformanda, a baffling claim, to say the least. CAT would benefit from an exorcism of this frustrating chapter.
April 12, 2018
This is a very accessible summary of John Calvin's life, thought, and influence. Elwood fairly presents his subject and clears misconceptions. For example, he highlights that Calvin did not rule Geneva but was the city's pastor -- still influential, but limited in power. Moreover, Calvin advocated for a more humane punishment for Servetus, beheading; but it was the Genevan magistrates who burned him at the stake as a heretic. Elwood reminds us that Calvin was a man of his day and should be judged as such. In this book we see a Christian humanist dedicated to explaining the revelation of God (especially the Bible) and reforming the Church and society.
November 3, 2016
I like this book. I especially like it's non judgemental presentation. It doesn't promote Calvin and it doesn't tear him down. It presents Calvin and his theology in its historical setting. Written with a nice balance of thought provoking discussion and entertaining historical trivia this book makes for a very satisfying read. In my case I listened to the audio book while commuting back and forth to work. I give high points to the reader as well.
March 10, 2025
About 40% history and 60% explanation of Calvin's theology. Does a mostly good job of explaining Calvin's theology and the impact it has had on various groups. The author did a decent job of being mostly neutral in his historical portrait and assessment of Calvin's theology (he is not fawning over Calvin or polemically attacking him), but he seems to have a liberal bias in a few areas. Overall I enjoyed it.
April 11, 2020
A seemingly fair-minded and competent overview marred only by the disjointed paean to Liberation Theology haphazardly tacked on at the end.
It seems much shorter than the other Armchair Theologian entries. In fact, I would say much of the content of this book is actually presented in a succinct but effective form in the Reformation for Armchair Theologians volume.
It seems much shorter than the other Armchair Theologian entries. In fact, I would say much of the content of this book is actually presented in a succinct but effective form in the Reformation for Armchair Theologians volume.
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June 16, 2025A bit disappointing that a few pages after describing Calvin's view of the 2nd commandment, there is a violation of it, followed by many more. I understand this possibly may have nothing to do with the author.
Also, I have a slight quibble with the author's description of 'scholastic' and 'scholasticism' at the beginning.
Also, I have a slight quibble with the author's description of 'scholastic' and 'scholasticism' at the beginning.
June 25, 2019
For a book for “armchair theologians”, this book was quite technical. Based on the title and the cartoons, I was expecting a little more wit. However, the book contained good information in a concise manner.
June 20, 2020
Excellent introduction to John Calvin and the resulting doctrine of Calvinism. Even though the illustrations were geared toward adolescents the text was more intellectually stimulating and informative than I expected. Very worthwhile read.
September 11, 2022
Spent more time attending to a biographical account of Calvin than it did to his theology, although I appreciate the last chapter's positioning of Calvin's theological legacy into our present-day culture and church.
March 12, 2018
A great introduction for someone wanting to know about our oft mentioned ancient Christian ancestors who had a large impact on church structure.
July 29, 2019
An easy-reading introduction to Calvin. It's thoughtful, fair, and fluent. No heavy lifting. We used it in a class at church.
December 21, 2019
Good insight into the fact that Calvin was a leader in the continuation of the reformation, but not really a systematic theologian although his work on theology was almost encyclopedic...
July 29, 2020
Reading with the kids. It was a brief impartial summation with humorous pictures. I like this series for its illustrations.
May 26, 2023
An excellent and very accessible overview of Calvin's theology.
May 17, 2024
An okay summation. The main thing I got from this book is why all the classics schools around me are named “Geneva”. The idea that Calvin is somehow the father of Theological Liberalism is just bunk.
August 6, 2016
This book could also be titled "John Calvin in Four Hours." It is a brief biography, a summary of his religious views, and a look at his lasting impact on Western thought.
Apparently little of Calvin's personal correspondence remains for historians to pore through today. He didn't keep a journal or write an autobiography. But he wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion (about 1/3 of this book is devoted to explaining Calvin's views from ICR), wrote some speeches, and engaged in some debates.
Calvin started out on the road to the Catholic priesthood but was redirected when his father began to have falling-outs with the church. Calvin studied to be a lawyer, was well versed in humanism and making arguments through rhetoric, learned Greek, and joined other humanists who were pushing for reform of the Catholic church.
Calvin's role as a minister in Geneva, instrumental in shaping and enforcing the state's religious laws, was maybe most educational for me. He's famous for his debate with Servetus, which led to Servetus's condemnation to burning at the stake. Most people today are unable to fathom 16th century Europe, with city-states under Church authority competing for power with one another and debating doctrine and heresies; a Europe faced with the Ottoman threat from the East and Protestant-Catholic divisions within. Calvin was very influential in the Protestant movement, helping write liturgies and defining doctrine.
Elwood doesn't explore the historical context in an in-depth manner. He briefly describes it and summarizes Calvin's life inside it. Elwood concludes the book with a look at Calvin's "theological family tree." He makes the claim that today's liberals from Reinhold Niehuhr to today's liberation theology teachers all ultimately spring from Calvin's lineage. In that sense, Calvin has been very underappreciated.
I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. Very accessible and informative. Lacks the depth you might want in a biography, but I look forward to reading Elwood's "armchair" biography of Luther as well.
Apparently little of Calvin's personal correspondence remains for historians to pore through today. He didn't keep a journal or write an autobiography. But he wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion (about 1/3 of this book is devoted to explaining Calvin's views from ICR), wrote some speeches, and engaged in some debates.
Calvin started out on the road to the Catholic priesthood but was redirected when his father began to have falling-outs with the church. Calvin studied to be a lawyer, was well versed in humanism and making arguments through rhetoric, learned Greek, and joined other humanists who were pushing for reform of the Catholic church.
Calvin's role as a minister in Geneva, instrumental in shaping and enforcing the state's religious laws, was maybe most educational for me. He's famous for his debate with Servetus, which led to Servetus's condemnation to burning at the stake. Most people today are unable to fathom 16th century Europe, with city-states under Church authority competing for power with one another and debating doctrine and heresies; a Europe faced with the Ottoman threat from the East and Protestant-Catholic divisions within. Calvin was very influential in the Protestant movement, helping write liturgies and defining doctrine.
Elwood doesn't explore the historical context in an in-depth manner. He briefly describes it and summarizes Calvin's life inside it. Elwood concludes the book with a look at Calvin's "theological family tree." He makes the claim that today's liberals from Reinhold Niehuhr to today's liberation theology teachers all ultimately spring from Calvin's lineage. In that sense, Calvin has been very underappreciated.
I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. Very accessible and informative. Lacks the depth you might want in a biography, but I look forward to reading Elwood's "armchair" biography of Luther as well.
February 18, 2014
This short biography is both scholarly and accessible. Among other things, this book chronicles the life journey of John Calvin, the way that God’s hand guided Calvin to certain places, and how he went about designing his Institutes. John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is one of his greatest contribution to Christian thinking, so a good portion of this book focuses on his ideas. There seems to be a presupposition from the author that the reader will have some knowledge of Calvin’s well-known contemporaries, as well as some understanding of basic Christian theology.
Although Calvin didn’t have any children of his own, the author takes some time at the end of this book to discuss Calvin’s legacy, and the spiritual offspring he produced through his teachings.
The controversy that sprung from Calvinism, and its teachings on predestination vs. free will, is brought up, but not discussed extensively. There is some talk of early opponents of this line of thinking, such as Arminius, but this book will only offer a brief description of the debate.
I listened to this book in audiobook format, and I now believe it would have been a better experience if I had read the book instead. I would recommend that others interested in this book take the time to read it so that you can allow some of the deeper theological subjects to soak in as you learn more about Calvin and his teachings.
This is definitely a good biography for someone that wants to learn about John Calvin’s life and contributions in a short amount of time. There is also a good presentation of the Gospel message within the book.
Although Calvin didn’t have any children of his own, the author takes some time at the end of this book to discuss Calvin’s legacy, and the spiritual offspring he produced through his teachings.
The controversy that sprung from Calvinism, and its teachings on predestination vs. free will, is brought up, but not discussed extensively. There is some talk of early opponents of this line of thinking, such as Arminius, but this book will only offer a brief description of the debate.
I listened to this book in audiobook format, and I now believe it would have been a better experience if I had read the book instead. I would recommend that others interested in this book take the time to read it so that you can allow some of the deeper theological subjects to soak in as you learn more about Calvin and his teachings.
This is definitely a good biography for someone that wants to learn about John Calvin’s life and contributions in a short amount of time. There is also a good presentation of the Gospel message within the book.
July 14, 2012
I'll start this by saying I'm not Reformed and haven't really read much of Calvin, and I found this book a good introduction to the man, his ministry and his theology.
It starts with his early experiences that led him to Geneva and his Reformed theology (after contemplating a career in the Roman Catholic Church in France). It also deals with some of the controversies surrounding his life and theology, and finishes with somewhat dubious speculation about his heirs and successors down to the 20th century. But the latter part is short and its weakness does not detract from the overall book.
Elwood treats his subject sympathetically and with humour, skilfully making the time and issues understandable to the modern reader. Although Elwood makes clear Calvin could be a difficult person, one comes away far more sympathetic to the man than to many of his successors and followers today.
The audiobook is made all the more enjoyable by the excellent voice talent of Simon Vance.
3 stars = I liked it and recommend it as an introduction to Calvin. As some one else has said, a kind of 'Calvin for Dummies'. This book will suit anyone who wants an introduction to this very influential theologian's life and teaching.
It starts with his early experiences that led him to Geneva and his Reformed theology (after contemplating a career in the Roman Catholic Church in France). It also deals with some of the controversies surrounding his life and theology, and finishes with somewhat dubious speculation about his heirs and successors down to the 20th century. But the latter part is short and its weakness does not detract from the overall book.
Elwood treats his subject sympathetically and with humour, skilfully making the time and issues understandable to the modern reader. Although Elwood makes clear Calvin could be a difficult person, one comes away far more sympathetic to the man than to many of his successors and followers today.
The audiobook is made all the more enjoyable by the excellent voice talent of Simon Vance.
3 stars = I liked it and recommend it as an introduction to Calvin. As some one else has said, a kind of 'Calvin for Dummies'. This book will suit anyone who wants an introduction to this very influential theologian's life and teaching.
March 26, 2009
I just read this book before attending the Ligonier Ministries conference this year which was partially on the life of Calvin since it is the 500th anniversary of his life. This was my first time reading anything specifically on the person of Calvin and was a great introduction to his life, theology, and the far reaching influence his teaching has had in all kinds of areas. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about Calvin but is intimidated by the usual giant books on him. This book is a great place to start and will encourage you to take up more reading on him or from him.
April 8, 2015
I am often reluctant to start books with larger print and cartoons like this one. Even the title hints that the contents may just be a souped-up Wikipedia article. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this small volume. What is presented here is a synopsis of Calvin's life, his Institutes and broader theology, a brief discussion about popular views of Calvin, plus a final note on Calvinistic theology since Calvin. While being highly readable and written in plain (non-academic) language, it remains intelligent and thought-provoking. It's quite possible to read this little volume and come away completely capable of discussing Calvin's importance.
January 7, 2013
A basic book in many ways but both readable and intelligent. The book provides biographical information about John Calvin along with important insights into his worldview and theology. The book tries to correct simplistic distortions of Calvin's thought, explaining, for instance, why Calvin felt as he did about religious imagery and "idolatry" and clarifying that Calvin himself actually did not place his beliefs in predestination and total depravity at the forefront of his theology. (His later followers emphasized these aspects of his theological theories.)
July 5, 2010
A good basic guide to Calvin's thought, including a good overview of the Institutes. Found all of this book useful, although his speculations on Calvin's heirs would have been better spent discussing more about Puritans and Presbyterians rather than more dubious connections to liberal and liberationist theologies in the 19th and 20th centuries. Thankfully that was only a few pages in the text.
March 24, 2016
Interesting and well-written. Lots of information about the French theologian, especially for me since I knew NOTHING about him. He sounds like a contradictory character in many ways..preaching the grace of God but MAYBE ( views of the man differ greatly depending on the source, supposedly) not showing much grace toward dissenters. The writer used humor to put his points across in many places, and it was narrated by Simon Vance...excellent narrator, always.
July 7, 2009
Pretty good overview of the life and thought of John Calvin.
However, I'm not sure how accessible this book would be to someone without some exposure to basics of Christian theology.
Also I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more biographical information and a better analysis about how Calvin's life and experience informed his theology.
However, I'm not sure how accessible this book would be to someone without some exposure to basics of Christian theology.
Also I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more biographical information and a better analysis about how Calvin's life and experience informed his theology.
December 16, 2010
Short review: Good basic overview of Calvin's thinking. Not much biography, really just this theology. This is a good book for someone that does not know much about Calvin. More along the line of "Calvin for Dummies". A bit of humor in a good way.
Full review at http://www.mrshields.com/calving-for-...
Full review at http://www.mrshields.com/calving-for-...
November 25, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this quick and basic guide to John Calvin's theology. Its covered his work in some detail, the Institutes, plus also gave a brief history of his life. I read it in one weekend. I now have a better appreciation for Calvin's important work for the Reformation. His ideas are absolutely brilliant. I am inspired to read Calvin's work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews