The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin

Profiles in Reformed Spirituality

by Joel R. Beeke (Editor), John Calvin

John Calvin is the most notable figure from the Reformed tradition. Unfortunately, he is often characterized as a stern and cerebral individual who had little concern for practical matters. However, Calvin was actually influential in promoting a profound sense of piety among early Protestantism. In The Soul of Life , Joel R. Beeke presents the life and ministry of Calvin with a special emphasis on Calvin's efforts for cultivating healthy spirituality among the churches. The selections from Calvin's own work will give readers a firsthand look at Calvin's emphasis on godliness, and by God's grace, will be a means for spurring on greater godliness in our day. Table of
Introduction
The Life of John Calvin
The Piety of John Calvin
Section The Definition and Importance of Piety
1. Piety Essential for Knowing God
2. Piety as 'the Soul of Life'
3. Piety in Practice
Section Piety's Supreme Goal, Soli Deo Gloria
4. Piety's Zeal for God
5. Piety's Progress
6. Piety's Imperfection
Section Theological Dimensions
Piety's Profound Mystical Union
7. Relishing an Incomprehensible Union
8. Enjoying a Great Mystery
9. Eating the Living Bread
Piety's Double The Spirit and Faith
10. The Spirit and Faith
11. Faith's Boldness and Confidence
12. Faith Struggling against Temptation
Piety's Double Justification and Sanctification
13. Justification Inseparable from Sanctification
14. What Is Justification?
15. The Means and Source of Sanctification
Section Ecclesiological Dimensions
Piety Through the Church
16. Confessing the Church's Holiness
17. Keeping Sunday Holy
18. Sharing Gifts for the Church's Good
Piety of the Word
19. True Knowledge by the Word
20. True Education through Preaching
21. True Completeness through the World
Piety in the Sacraments
22. The Spirit in the Sacraments
23. Dying to Become New Creatures
24. Being Members of Christ
Piety in the Psalter
25. Identifying with David
26. Holiness Essential for Access to God
27. Hoping in God despite Discouragement
Section Practical Dimensions
Prayer
28. Why Pray?
29. Coming to God's Treasures
30. Praying with Confidence
Repentance
31. Prayer, Forgiveness, and Repentance
32. Turning to God from the heart
33. Seizing Repentance
Self-Denial
34. Belonging to God rather than Ourselves
35. Controlling Our Carnal Affections
36. Fighting against Our natural Inclinations
Cross-Bearing
37. Christ's Cross and Ours
38. Taking Refuge in God
39. Lining Up for Combat
The Present and Future Life
40. Resting in God's Will
41. Cherishing Moderation
42. Remaining at Leisure for God's Service
Obedience
43. Obeying God's Will
44. Honoring God and Living Justly
45. Making Our Responsibility Clear
Recommended Books by or about Calvin

Genres: Biography

220 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2008

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a small book which I read devotionally as that seemed like the best way to approach the material.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin takes nugget-sized selections from Calvin's sermons, commentaries and The Institutes of the Christian Religion to create a good introduction to Calvin's own writing. Part of Reformation Heritage Trust's series "Profiles in Reformed Spirituality," The Soul of Life first introduces readers to John Calvin in a short, biographical sketch before moving onto brief translated selections from primary sources.

The editor, Joel R. Beeke adopted a "semi purist" style in presenting Calvin's work. My one wish is that he more heavily edited Calvin's work to benefit the likely audience of first-time Calvin readers, who may or may not have read a biography or theological analysis before picking up The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin. However, that wish is not a criticism. The Soul of Life: The Piety of John Calvin is a wonderful stepping stone to learning more about Calvin and Calvinism. In fact, I'd buy the book just for its bibliography alone.

[georgiebaebi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0!
Pros:
This was a gift from my cherished CHBC big sister Ms. Lois 🥹 she just whipped it out of her purse and handed it to me the first time we really chatted in the church library.
Great intro to Calvin’s life and thinking— I found myself nodding and “Amen-ing” to quite a few things! Battle Royale is still the best argument for Calvinism IMO, though I’m still in the Mere Christianity camp 🙃
I loved how he really hammered home the point that we ought to see, seek, and serve God on HIS terms. “For by His Word, God rendered faith unambiguous forever, a faith that should be superior to all opinion.” 100% agree, and Biblically, Uzzah, Nadab, and Abihu are great examples of what happens when we try to make God subject to our whims/preferences. 10/10 do not recommend.
He observed that hope in God is the cure to discouragement and disquietude, and experientially, that holds true for me!
I found his point that we dishonor God when we covet other people’s gifts very timely in post-grad life!
I also VERY much appreciated the fact he pulled no punches with respect to “religious” people or those who claim Christ who deny Him with their lives.
Cons:
I went in expecting a biography of Calvin and there was a bit of biographical info in the beginning but the real meat of the book was excerpts from Calvin’s Institutes, which were great, but I just wasn’t expecting it!

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that this series was short sections of writings by a particular author. There are a couple preliminary chapters about Calvin's life, but then every subsequent chapter is an extended quote offered without comment.

I was blessed, but I'll return to this series only as a devotional daily reading. Not so conducive to reading several pages/chapters before bed.

[Aaron Kleinheksel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably best used (as I did) as a daily devotional in addition to your regular Bible reading. If one has no previous exposure to the writing of Calvin, this is a decent introduction.

[Austin Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief and accessible intro to Calvin. It contains a biography and a selection of writings from Calvin’s Institutes, commentaries, and sermons.

[Anthony Alvarado · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible bite sized nuggets of Calvin. I read it like a devotional, just little by little daily and it was so good to kick start my time with God. Good into to Calvin.