The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World

by David W. Hall

David Hall identifies 10 seminal ways that Calvin's thought transformed the culture of the West, complete with a nontechnical biography of Calvin and tributes by other leaders. The Legacy of John Calvin is brief enough for popular audiences and analytical enough to provide much information in a short space.

Genres: History, Biography, Church History, Theology

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2008

Reviews

[Terence Tan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hall gives Calvin some credit for republicanism, a system of government where the leader is not a hereditary king but an elected representative from the people. The thing is I am not sure Calvin would claim credit for republicanism.

John Calvin was trained as a lawyer, so let’s take a courtroom scenario. Imagine that it was a criminal offence to have significantly contributed to the Founding of America. Now imagine that John Calvin was resurrected from the dead to answer for his crime. The question is would there be enough evidence for the jury to convict him?

Based on this book, no. It would be easy to show that John Calvin was too far away from the events to have any meaningful influence on them. Calvin did establish a limited government in Geneva but Geneva is not America, in size or scope. Therefore, unless the prosecutor has something more substantial than hearsay, any jury would easily acquit Calvin of the charge.

Just for comparison, if it was a criminal offence to have significantly contributed to Reformed Theology. Then there is no escape for John Calvin. His words, his actions, his disciples are all evidence against him.

This is why the book is flawed in concept. It makes assertions but does not go far enough to support them. Part 2 and Part 3 of the book should be scrapped. If you want to know about the life of John Calvin, write another book. If you want to know the tributes or opinions of others, across different denominations, fields, countries over the centuries, write another book.

But for this book, 112 pages of it, write as if you are John Calvin. He was an irresistible force because his top legal mind made theological arguments indisputably built on the Bible. Be like Calvin, make the case.

Full 2,395 word Review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...

[Jeremy Counts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well documented book on the life and influence of John Calvin. I think the author successfully proves that Calvin's political ideas were paramount to the founding of America and the modern world.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read this book because I got it free through Logos. After reading it, I'm left with the impression that Jesus could only wish he were the man John Calvin was.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing for the modern man! Articles are short and too the point but with extensive references.
The book is in three sections. The first documents the immense influence of Calvin in Geneva and beyond and particularly the English-speaking Protestant world. Calvin set a limit to ecclesiastical and state authorities with elected and representational leadership. The free market and the independence of academic institutions bloomed in Calvin's Geneva.
The second part of the book is biographical and portrays Calvin as a man of humility devoted to his friends and wife but above all the glory of God.
Finally there is a brief overview of the indebtedness of the later church to Calvin's thought: biblical over dogmatic theology but above all an expository ministry.
Very encouraging.

[Paul Wichert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short little book summarizing the life of John Calvin, part of the Calvin 500 series (http://calvin500blog.wordpress.com/th...), and I think a good but very brief introduction to the man and his legacy. Volume 1 in the series, A Theological Guide to Calvin's Institutes was much more substantial, whereas this Volume 2 was almost too slim. But it does cover a fair amount of his life and impact on the Reformation world. Overall a good short review or introduction to Calvin and Calvinisms's effects, not so much the theology (for that see Volume 1).

[Pastor Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more along the lines of a pamphlet that cobbles together a number of sources to laud Calvin on the occasion of his 500th birthday. Not a bad thing. It accomplishes what it sets out to do, I think: it's a quick read that tells a person a bit about Calvin.

[Stephanie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, succinct, and makes you wonder why people are so anti-Calvin.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, brief introduction of Calvin's influence, life and followers. Several sections drove me to pray that God would do a similiar work in my life.