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The Doctrine of Election
Translated from the French by Robert White When Calvin says that he would not have spoken of election had Scripture not led the way, we need not doubt his word. If he defends the doctrine with vigour, it is because it runs as an unbroken thread through both Old and New Testaments. Like the doctrines of providence, atonement and the new birth, it is a doctrine of sovereign grace. Calvin did not invent it is a doctrine which belongs to the universal church. Its importance for him lies in the fact that it anchors the work of redemption, not in our feeble powers of will, but in God's inexplicable love for sinners, and it traces that work to a determination freely made in heaven before the world began. The present volume offers a variety of sources, newly translated from the French, which throw fresh light on Calvin's doctrine of election. In place of his more formal works such as the Institutes from which the doctrine is usually derived, texts have been selected which were intended for oral delivery to a largely non-specialist audience. The tensions inherent in the doctrine, such as God's mercy versus his justice, are honestly acknowledged and answered. Throughout, appeal is made not to philosophical speculation but to God's revealed word. To depart from Scripture, the Reformer holds, is to enter a labyrinth from which there is no way out. There is no hint of bookishness in the texts presented here. This is theology for Everyman - clear, comprehensive and rich in practical application. And it leads, as all good theology should, to the praise of God's glory.
- GenresChristianity
264 pages, Hardcover
Published November 16, 2022
4 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
John Calvin
1,702 books541 followersFrench-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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 3, 2023
The Doctrine of Election is a 236 page compilation of transcribed sermons delivered by John Calvin and translated from French to English by Robert White. This book was published in 2022 by Banner of Truth.
Robert White translated ten sermons by John Calvin that pertained to the doctrine of election. The purpose of the book is to give English readers access to some of Calvin's oral explanations of the doctrine of election to everyday Christians both in Calvin's times (16th century) and today's modern times. The sermon titles, sub-headings, and updated translation help make Calvin's repository of sermons more accessible and clear.
The newly updated translation of Calvin's sermons are clear and easy to read for today's modern readers. These ten sermons White had curated for this book were appropriated chosen and ordered to make the book cohesive in its presentation of the doctrine of election. And while the first sermon of Genesis 25 drawing focus to Ishmael did not seem initially pertinent to the overall book's theme, Calvin is so rich and engaging in his introduction to Genesis 25 and explanation of the text, he whets our appetites for the rest of his Genesis 25 exposition.
White's explanatory footnotes throughout the book add helpful insight and historical context. For example, his 8-line footnote on page 70 clarifies that Calvin was not arguing for a supralapsarian position even though Calvin in order of thought placed election prior to Adam's fall. On page 112, White postulates in another footnote that Calvin's sharp criticism was likely prompted by Philip Melanchthon's silence on the matter.
White adds three appendices to this book. Appendix two, a history and analysis of critics of Calvin's doctrine of election, helps us gain a greater appreciation for why Calvin interweaved so much of this doctrine in his sermons. Appendix three gives a concise synopsis of the compendium of Calvin's sermons on the New Testaments that also speak on the matter of election.
The Doctrine of Election is a new translation of several of John Calvin's sermons originally transcribed in French. The translation by Robert White is clear and enjoyable to read. I regard this book as a must read for Christians who want to have a biblical understanding of the doctrine of election. Robert White and Banner of Truth should be commended for providing the best resource for everyday Christians who want to learn what Calvin truly believed about the doctrine of election.
Robert White translated ten sermons by John Calvin that pertained to the doctrine of election. The purpose of the book is to give English readers access to some of Calvin's oral explanations of the doctrine of election to everyday Christians both in Calvin's times (16th century) and today's modern times. The sermon titles, sub-headings, and updated translation help make Calvin's repository of sermons more accessible and clear.
The newly updated translation of Calvin's sermons are clear and easy to read for today's modern readers. These ten sermons White had curated for this book were appropriated chosen and ordered to make the book cohesive in its presentation of the doctrine of election. And while the first sermon of Genesis 25 drawing focus to Ishmael did not seem initially pertinent to the overall book's theme, Calvin is so rich and engaging in his introduction to Genesis 25 and explanation of the text, he whets our appetites for the rest of his Genesis 25 exposition.
White's explanatory footnotes throughout the book add helpful insight and historical context. For example, his 8-line footnote on page 70 clarifies that Calvin was not arguing for a supralapsarian position even though Calvin in order of thought placed election prior to Adam's fall. On page 112, White postulates in another footnote that Calvin's sharp criticism was likely prompted by Philip Melanchthon's silence on the matter.
White adds three appendices to this book. Appendix two, a history and analysis of critics of Calvin's doctrine of election, helps us gain a greater appreciation for why Calvin interweaved so much of this doctrine in his sermons. Appendix three gives a concise synopsis of the compendium of Calvin's sermons on the New Testaments that also speak on the matter of election.
The Doctrine of Election is a new translation of several of John Calvin's sermons originally transcribed in French. The translation by Robert White is clear and enjoyable to read. I regard this book as a must read for Christians who want to have a biblical understanding of the doctrine of election. Robert White and Banner of Truth should be commended for providing the best resource for everyday Christians who want to learn what Calvin truly believed about the doctrine of election.
March 26, 2024
Great translation into modern English. Not having read Institutes, I feel like this short collection of sermons gave me a good understanding of Calvin's argument for election.
July 30, 2023
Great one volume summary by Banner on Calvin's view of Election, using many different sources. Encouraging that God would grant unmerited grace to sinners at all, much less me.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews