Theology Made Practical by Joel R. Beeke, David W. Hall & Michael A. G. Haykin | New Studies on John Calvin’s Systematic, Pastoral & Political Theology | Reformation Heritage Paperback
In Theology Made Practical , Joel R. Beeke, David W. Hall, and Michael A. G. Haykin declare the significance of John Calvin's life and ideas-particularly his contributions to systematic theology, pastoral theology, and political theology-as well as the influence he had on others through the centuries. With focused studies related to the Trinity, predestination, the Holy Spirit, justification, preaching, missions, principles of government, welfare, and marriage, this book demonstrates how Calvin's thought has been, and still is, a dynamic wellspring of fruitfulness for numerous areas of the Christian life. More than 450 years since Calvin experienced the beatific vision, his thinking about God and His Word still possesses what our culture passionately longs for-true relevancy. Table of Part 1: Calvin's Biography 1. The Young Preparation for a Life of Ministry - Michael A. G. Haykin 2. Practical Lessons from the Life of Idelette Calvin - Joel R. Beeke Part 2: Calvin's Systematic Theology 3. 'Uttering the Praises of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit': John Calvin on the Divine Triunity - Michael A. G. Haykin 4. Calvin on Similarities and Differences on Election and Reprobation - Joel R. Beeke 5. Calvin on the Holy Spirit - Joel R. Beeke 6. Explicit and Implicit Appendixes to Calvin's View of Justification by Faith -David W. Hall Part 3: Calvin's Pastoral and Political Theology 7. Calvin's Experiential Preaching - Joel R. Beeke 8. John Calvin and the Missionary Endeavor of the Church - Michael A. G. Haykin 9. Calvin on Principles of Government - David W. Hall 10. Calvin on Diaconal Ministry in Geneva - David W. Hall 11. Christian Marriage in the Twenty-First Calvin on the Purpose of Marriage - Michael A. G. Haykin Part 4: Calvin's Legacy 12. Calvin's Circle of Propelling an Enduring Movement - David W. Hall 13. Calvin as a Calvinist - Joel R. Beeke 14. Calvinism and Revival - Michael A. G. Haykin
Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.
I learned a lot about Calvin from this book, which is really all that you can ask from a book about John Calvin and his legacy. I definitely enjoyed some chapters more than others; some of them felt like a lot of rehashing of earlier material, and some of them just didn't appear to be organized well, but I think that this would actually be a great introduction to John Calvin and his thought process to somebody that has some background in theology but has never spent much time with Calvin himself.
You would think that a book called “Theology Made Practical” would mean “Calvinism for dummies”. That was definitely not the case with this book. Many times I had to read sections over again because there was just so much to absorb and contemplate.
If you’re looking for “meaty” theology, this book is a must read.
Pretty solid book on bringing many of Calvin's thoughts and beliefs down to a level that isn't the institutes. Nonetheless, many terms (especially latin) are undefined and other areas could have been more broadly defined (e.g. how his views on government affected the Genevan government)