Institutes of the Christian Religion Book I

by John Calvin, Henry Beveridge (Translator), Timothy G. Harmon (Contributor)

Institutes of the Christian Religion is John Calvin's original work of systematic theology. Regarded as one of the most influential works of Protestant theology, it was published in Latin in 1536 (at the same time as Henry VIII of England's Dissolution of the Monasteries) and in his native French language in 1541, with the definitive editions appearing in 1559 (Latin) and in 1560 (French). The book was written as an introductory textbook on the Protestant creed for those with some previous knowledge of theology and covered a broad range of theological topics from the doctrines of church and sacraments to justification by faith alone and Christian liberty. It vigorously attacked the teachings of those Calvin considered unorthodox, particularly Roman Catholicism, to which Calvin says he had been "strongly devoted" before his conversion to Protestantism. The Institutes is a highly regarded secondary reference for the system of doctrine adopted by the Reformed churches, usually called Calvinism.

Genres: Theology, Christianity

400 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

French-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536).

The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.

* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)

Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.

After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.

Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.

Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.

Reviews

[ThePrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

'What will they [man] gain by spitting at the sky?' (I.xviii.III)

An excellent query, Calvin. And certainly not the only one of its kind, for this excellent book is filled with brilliant questions, as well as thorough answers. The Institutes get unfairly marked for armchair theologians to pull out, and big bad Calvinism is said to reside in their pages, but this book is not only extremely accessible but helpful and truthful. In apologetics, it is exemplary. In exposition, verbose as to be almost long-winded. In zeal for truth and delivering unto God His due majesty, focal. I would heartily commend any Christian to read this.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin's pastoral warmth is evident in his arguments, and this is even more apparent in the chapters on Divine Providence. This copy of the Institutes comes with study guide questions after each chapter, which would be helpful for group study.

[Brendan Conrad]

Anyone who thinks Calvin is a mean guy who wants to drop the theological hammer on people has probably never read his work. With deep humility, Calvin describes what he believes is the true positional relationship between God and man and how God, in his gracious character, makes a way for his people.

[Stephen Satterlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smiling through the pain. “True humility is the Christian’s only safety.”

[Jeff Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious truths! No wonder why it is one of the most important books of the Reformation.

"Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves." 1.1

"...man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he have previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself. For (such is our innate pride) we always seem to ourselves just, and upright, and wise, and holy, until we are convinced, by clear evidence, of our injustice, vileness, folly, and impurity."

"...men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God."

"No one, indeed, will voluntarily and willingly devote himself to the service of God unless he has previously tasted his paternal love, and been thereby allured to love and reverence Him."

"Nothing, indeed, can be more preposterous than to enjoy those noble endowments which bespeak the divine presence within us, and to neglect him who, of his own good pleasure, bestows them upon us."

"If true religion is to beam upon us, our principle must be, that it is necessary to begin with heavenly teaching, and that it is impossible for any man to obtain even the minutest portion of right and sound doctrine without being a disciple of Scripture. Hence the first step in true knowledge is taken, when we reverently embrace the testimony which God has been pleased therein to give of himself."

[Jonathan Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to better understand what kind of men God was using and what kind of work God was doing in the great revival of the reformation.

It was surprisingly readable and clear that Calvin was thoroughly a Bible man. A man of intensely strong convictions. Willing to fight theological battles for his love of the truth. And incredible intelligence and piety.

The last few chapters on Gods sovereignty were the best part. Very worshipful.

4 stars because some of his arguments seemed weak, or the biblical evidence that he mustered appeared contrived at a small number of points.

[Tyler C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. A foundational look at who God is and how we come to know Him. Calvin shows that true wisdom begins with knowing God rightly—and in turn, understanding ourselves in light of His majesty. The writing is rich, pastoral, and deeply theological without losing its practical use. Calvin is not only in tune with the Scriptures, but has an encyclopedic knowledge of the church fathers. I look forward to reading more.

“Without knowledge of self there is no knowledge of God... and without knowledge of God there is no knowledge of self.”

[Elissa (Christian_Bookworm_Reviews)]

Wow, that was a lot! But so good. This first reading through was mostly to get a grasp on the content of these books, so I will refrain from rating them until I have more deeply and thoroughly read them.

[Jon Beadle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly beautiful and clear.

[raffaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't really write an adequate review, not because there's nothing to say but because there's far too much to say. I'll be reading this book for the rest of my life.

[Tyler Jarboe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable insights into the great reformer's views. (I'm not a Calvinist, but I appreciate Calvin a great deal when TULIP is not the matter at hand)

[Andrew Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly accessible! Book 1 covers mainly doctrine of Scripture and doctrine of God.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Updated Review:

While there is much I agree with in this volume, now going through it a second time there is more I disagree with.


Original Review:

Finally after two years of being a calvinist, I have begun reading through Calvin's Institutes.

One of my big takeaways is that a lot of reformed and calvinists nowadays have taken such a minimalistic view of theology so that Calvinism is just the 5 Solas, but it is far richer than the shallow views of the current reformed camp.

Calvin's first book is a polemic on viewing everything through the lens of the Trinity and through God's word, not through the lens of philosophy. We cannot understand ourselves, the world, the supernatural, or anything else if it is devoid of the word of God and a truly Trinitarian worldview and philosophy.

[Jason Goetz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of Calvin's.