Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #499

by Jon Balserak

John Calvin was born only a few years before the Christian church in Europe was plunged into the chaos of the Protestant Reformation. To Calvin, the only thing that mattered was correcting God's church, which he thought had wandered away from the truth. Throughout his adult life, Calvin manifested a singular passion with God. He desired intensely to subjugate the world to what he saw as God's truth, and his ideas started the movement now known as Calvinism. From Calvin's time, the movement has grown and spread throughout Europe and into North and South America, Africa, and Asia. Today 'New Calvinism' is a major branch of Protestantism.

In this Very Short Introduction Jon Balserak explores Calvin's life and considers the major ideas and issues associated with the Calvinist system of thought. He looks at how Calvinist ideas and practices spread and took root, helping shape societies today. Much of contemporary thought - especially western thought - on everything from civil government to money, suicide, and divorce has been influenced by Calvinism. Balserak also combats common misconceptions about Calvinism, and explores the relationship between Calvinism and the modern world.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2017

About the author

Jon Balserak is Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Religion at the University of Bristol.

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le titre est bien choisi : il s'agit d'une très courte introduction (ou survol) du Calvinisme. A noter :
1) Il ne s'agit pas seulement de ce qui concerne l'élection ou les traditionnels "5 points du calvinisme", mais du mouvement et de la théologie du calvinisme en général.
2) Il ne s'agit pas seulement de ce que Calvin a enseigné, mais du mouvement en général, depuis la réforme (voire depuis Augustin) jusqu'à aujourd'hui.

[Tom Pepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful, but unfocused

This short book seems a bit unsure what kind of work it wants to be. As a result, it seems at sometimes rambling and vague. It doesn't quite do a "history" of Calvinism, but it also offers a somewhat superficial consideration of the many issues reformed theology deals with. The many lists of names connected with a particular position are not helpful, and would be better in footnotes or at the end of the chapters as suggestions for further reading. There are some suggestions at the end for further reading, but it is a bit cursory.

On the positive side, it is certainly clear from reading this just how much disagreement there is on just about every point in reformed theology. Just for explaining that there is not absolute consensus on the TULIP points, that there is no one "true" Calvinism, I suppose this deserves another half star. A quick read, that raises more questions than it answers, which I guess is what an "introduction" ought to do.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and very short introduction to Calvinism. It was so well written and fairly represented various streams and epochs of Calvinism.

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far be it from me to make fun of anyone’s religion, but having had considerable experience with Calvinists, I can honestly say their belief structure simply make no sense to a totally depraved reprobate like me. I grew up very religious, but not Calvinistic, and I even majored in religion at a Calvinist college. The theology, however, never added up.

This little book takes a theological approach to explaining Calvinism. For me, an historical or cultural approach would’ve been more appealing. I studied theology throughout my education, and I have to admit that it lost its shine some time ago. One of the takeaways here is that Calvinism is a large, complex way of thinking. And it has been enormously influential. The reader might be well advised to brush up on some of the major theologians, however, otherwise it’s possible to get lost, even in a short book.

Calvinism is the way of thinking behind Presbyterian and Reformed Christian denominations. Some Baptists (not all) are Calvinistic, and some overlap exists with Lutheranism and Anglicanism as well. Nevertheless, this way of thinking is most strongly represented in the Reformed/Presbyterian realm. This is a good introduction for those who want a thumbnail sketch of the theology involved, and for those who want a more opinionated outlook, take a look at what I wrote here: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. A remarkably favourable portrayal of Calvinism, and a good brief intro.

[Julie Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good basic introduction. Recommend.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fluid, interesting, and well written overview. Though also a salient reminder of why I believe Calvinism’s twin foci of ‘original guilt’ (as opposed to original sin) and ‘(double) predestination’ to be theological missteps (putting it politely) within Christian theology.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a challenge to review. There are some takes in here that I know my WCF friends would say are not true of the Reformed tradition, and fair enough. Balserak is trying to illustrate the diversity within the tradition beyond the WCF and the Gospel Coalition. There are the usual lazy biases against the Catholic Church (“Calvinists argued that people can serve God through work of many different kinds, and not just, as had previously been argued by Roman Catholicism, through serving God as a priest or a nun.”) Overall the book does an excellent job of summarizing the essential talking points of Calvinism (TULIP, dour attitudes, supralapsarianism, cigars, a God who actively wills the Holocaust for the sake of His own glory, St. Augustine was actually a Zwinglian, etc.).

According to Balserak, Calvinism teaches assurance of salvation is dependent upon the individual manifesting the right levels of dopamine to assure themselves they do indeed love God a sufficiently salvific amount and must therefore be elect (20-30). Salvation by vibes alone (or what Jonathan Edwards called “holy affections”). Balserak’s Calvinism assures the reader that the Bible and God love to play make believe but do not actually mean the things they say. Humans don’t ever really stop being filthy sinners, God just pretends we do when he declares us righteous extrinsically (forensic righteousness). The Bible doesn’t actually think anyone can lose their salvation, it just says that to scare elect people into praying more (107-110).

To be fair, Balserak also does a great job of describing the best of Calvinism. Particularly the recognition of the inscrutability of God’s ways. God’s ways are not our ways, and when there is conflict between our preferences and God’s preferences, one should always assume God is in the right (118). Also a lengthy analysis of Calvinism’s emphasis on the necessity of God’s grace for the sake of initial salvation. By God’s prevenient grace alone humans are able to respond to God and become His children. Amen! (cf. the Catholic Catechism paragraphs 1996-1998; 2090).

How fair Balserak’s very short introduction is to actual Reformed tradition(s) is for each reader to decide. His short introduction was a fair summary of my seminary classes.

[Individualfrog · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gotta say this was a failure of the Very Short Introduction format, just a wildly confusing mess of names, of people and of schools of Calvinism, which maybe successfully portrayed the bewildering diversity of thought under that umbrella term, but gave me no idea at all of the history or meaning of any of that diversity, just a bunch of names, scattered throughout time and space. It is very strange to read a book which frequently mentions that this or that thought is well-expressed in the tract of some 17th century preacher, but which also mentions reddit. And clarity is necessary with such unpleasant subject matter. If it could have at least explained better, it would perhaps be different, but even a mere 120 pages of Calvinism, a doctrine which, I hate to say because it puts me in terribly boring company, is a doctrine of madmen and sadists with no redeeming features as a theological proposition -- even its rigor in regards to God's omnipotence and what follows from it is rendered completely false when it insists on control and enforcement of its morality on earth. (I might feel bad about shitting on Balserak partly because of my distaste for his subject, if it wasn't for his very Calvinist libel of New York City during the 2003 blackouts, which he hallucinates had riots and looting. I was there, Jon, there were no riots, and teenagers directed traffic at the major intersections for no reward but helping people get home safely -- some evidence for the corrupt nature of man, bent to sin, only to sin, and that continually! Fuck yourself, Jon.) It is strange to think that the entirely pleasant and bland Congregationalist church I grew up in is at least nominally connected to these evil doctrines, and heartening to realize that even in this sort of acid soil, the seeds of true religion can spring, as in the wild ecstatic 'conversions' of camp meetings when they gat ’em frothin’ with the Holy Sperit, or crazy snake-handler cults in Tennessee and West Virginia.

[Unsympathizer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I already knew most of the fundamental elements of Calvinism before I read this book. And this book simply isn't a good enough introduction. Balserak has a tendency to name-drop extensively when talking about a debated concept in Calvinism, in which he will reach hundreds of years to find the specific theologians that promote one specific concept, then never mention the name(s) again. The problem with this Very Short Introduction is that it is too short to actually get down into the complex theological backing behind each assertation and its counterarguments, but it is too long to actually be a short introduction. In fact, Balserak only lightly explains the theology of predestination, infralapsarianism/supralapsarianism, divine grace, TULIP, etc. But the main takeaway is that Calvinism is often seen as the "harshest" Christian theology in the sense that it teaches that a loving God also willed the most horrific events in human history, that some people (the reprobate) the condemned to Hell even before they were born, and that people can never truly be sure of salvation because the fallen nature of humanity makes people enjoy sinning. Also, heretics are everywhere and very few people are the "elect."

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Historian Jon Balserak published Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction in 2016. Balserak believes the theologian concept of Calvinism is difficult to define (Balserak xiii-xviii). The book traces the history of Calvinism from the teaching of Ulrich Zwingli. Zwingli was a former Roman Catholic priest who was in present-day Switzerland. Zwingli takes up the position of “people’s priest” (Balcerek 2) in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1531, Zwingli died in a battle of one of the battles of the Protestant Reformation (Balcerek 2). Heinrich Bullinger took over as the “people’s priest” in Zurich. In Geneva, Switzerland, John Calvin became the leading theologian of the Reformed tradition (Balserak 2-3). As the Protestant Reformation developed, the theology of “Zwingli, Bullinger, and Calvin” “was related to, but distinct from, that of Martin Luther., these two growing movements, Reformed and Lutheran-a tense relationship” (Balsecrak 2). The book is not a history book despite the first chapter focusing on history (Balcerek 1-10). The book mainly focuses on the theology and the ideas of Calvinism (Balserak xiii-xviii). I learned many items from the book. The book has illustrations. The book has a timeline. The book has a section entitled “further reading” (Balserak 127-132). The book has an index. Balserak’s book on Calvinism is a well-done introduction to the Calvinist tradition.

[Almustafa Couch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting book, my question would be, who can call themselves, with consistency (which wouldn't worry the two universe aspect of their theory) a Calvinist. his theory would seem to support inconsistency like those who say they love children, but continued to prop up a company who's leads to the death of about 1.4 million infants every year. The book made a point of this weakness in the implied inconsistency that the separation between the physical and spiritual world does lead to, it also talked of the Calvinists belief in predetermination and this is inseparably linked to the belief in the elect which would mean that for those not selected to live in paradise, there is no way of getting there anyway so why not keep up with our hedonistic pursuits and just have fun. If you believe in a Calvinistic God that would be the only question you would need to answer because if you were among the elect you would get into heaven if you weren't among them you wouldn't no matter how virtuous a life you lead.

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few days before reading Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction, I read The Reformation: A Very Short Introduction. The two works complement each other quite well. The latter truly is an introduction, covering only the very broadest of strokes. Calvinism: A Very Short Introduction on the other hand, starts to get into the meat of the matter. Rather than history, this is very much a book about theology, and the doctrine of Calvinist Christianity is well introduced.

If I must be critical, this book is a little strangely structured. The topics it moves through can seem a little random, but I found they came together towards the end. A fair amount of time is given over, across multiple chapters, to the discussion of predestination - that was helpful, as it wasn't discussed as much as I hoped for in The Reformation: A Very Short Introduction.

As a basic introduction to Calvinism, this book seems like a good way to go.

[Michael Huang]

Despite agreeing that Christianity needed reform, Lutherans and Calvinists had a tense relationship and mutual suspicion. The Calvinists had a pretty hard-nosed theology and really overall philosophy. The key belief of predestination (that God has already chosen who he’ll convert) is actually not Calvinist’s invention. For those who are not selected, Calvinists will tell you that God does not love you. In early days, some teaching was that the elect would not only be able to see suffering in hell, but love to see it (Makes you understand why there is a saying that you don’t need to be a Calvinist to be mean. :). Human harbor evil deep within them and are therefore slave to sin. Only a small minority will be elect (this relaxed a bit later in 19th century). The only reason society didn’t collapse is God’s common grace. But for the elect, there will be special grace.

[Jeremy Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balserak's little book delves into God’s sovereignty, a doctrine of election, and a deep concern for sin’s effects impact the church. Calvinism’s emphasis on sanctifying God’s people because of their doctrine of total depravity reminds me how important it is for the church to rightly preach the Gospel, guard doctrine, and fence the sacraments so Christ’s bride is protected. Calvinists’ high view of the church in the life of the Christian is one of its greatest emphases. You'll be helped by reading this book, though it is far from an in depth look at the doctrine that is Calvinism (as the sub-title suggests).

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this serves as a good introduction to evangelical and conservative Calvinism. Balserak admits in the preface that the tradition is expansive and diverse and certain schools of thought will be left out. I do wish that qualification was emphasized throughout the book (the phrasing of "Calvinists believe" felt a little too broad of a brushstroke to me. But Balserak does offer a solid introduction considering the constraints of brevity. If someone wanted to get a good and sympathetic introduction to conservative and evangelical Calvinism this would be a good place to start.

[Marc Minter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dispassionate introduction to Calvinism

While I generally appreciate works arguing for or against theological positions, this book seeks to simply articulate a brief introduction to the generalized positions of Calvinistic theology. Highly informative and widely researched, this book might serve the reader well, if he/she merely wishes to know something of the breadth and sometimes awkwardness of Calvinistic thought.

[Jake Baur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and helpful introduction to reformed theology. Docked a star because I think Jon’s understanding of Calvinism is really just his understanding of reformed theology overall, so the lack of precision can produce a bit of confusion and an unnecessarily broad scope. What I appreciate is how extensive this small introduction is over the whole world of reformed theology, historically and in modern times. Helped me to appreciate it all the more.

[Fred Eisenhut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming to this book from a United Methodist background, I had aa difficult time interpreting this theology as having anything close to mine. I did find it very interesting nevertheless. I can't help but wonder if my Presbyterian friends might have moved on the ask other questions than strict Calvinism.

[Mike Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book does a great job of expressing the distinctives of Calvinism. He deals with some of the controversial beliefs in a way that is clear and clarifying. His early chapter on the issues regarding defining Calvinism were insightful!

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and good overview of Calvinism. I'm surprised by how much was packed in.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

As billed, a very short (and I would add) helpful introduction to this theological system. Balserak handles it deftly and packs a lot of information into a short space. Recommended.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precise and insightful explanation of this reformed school of thought.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and balanced overview of Calvinist Theology. The author outlines the major themes of Calvinist thought along with common objections and the varieties of response.

[Eundeuk Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my book review of this book at Reading Religion.

http://readingreligion.org/books/calv...

[Tyler Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and accessible introduction that amazingly accomplished all it sets out to. I cannot imagine a better introduction to the topic.

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro with a variety of perspectives to show how vast Calvinism is.

[Roddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb: 6 stars

[Liz Norell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very short introduction was very helpful in assisting my general understanding of what Calvinism does -- and, importantly, does not -- mean/embrace.

[B. P. C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction. Broad, sympathetic and honest.