What do you think?
Rate this book
A Guide to Christian Living
Translated by Robert White
When John Calvin began writing his Institutes of the Christian Religion, he had in mind a short doctrinal work - a handbook or manual -which would set out, in straightforward fashion, the essentials of the Christian faith. Although the sustained persecution of Protestants in France led him in time to accentuate the apologetic nature of the book, the Institutes, as first published in 1536, remained a work of Christian instruction, intended, as Calvin says in his prefatory letter, for those who were 'touched with some zeal for religion', and principally for those among his French compatriots who 'were hungering and thirsting for Christ', and who 'might be shaped to true godliness'.
A second edition of the Institues followed in 1539. More elaborate and comprehensive than the first, over twice as long, it was, like the first, written in latin, and thus accessible only to a limited readership. The need for a French version, already apparent to Calvin in 1536, was overwhelming. Accordingly the Reformer, on his return to Geneva in 1541 after a three-year absence in Strasbourg, entrusted his French text to Genevan printer Michel du Bois, who placed it in circulation tht same year. Like the second Latin edition on which it was based, the first French edition comprised seventeen chapters, the last being entitled 'On the Christian Life'.
No chapter better corresponds to the author's original intention than this. It offered a clear, balanced set of directions and encouragements to all who desired to live according to the gospel. Strong in its theological affirmation of God's righteousness and providential care, of the reconciliation won for us by Chris and of the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification, it was equally strong in its pastoral concern for believers who were beset by their own weakness and sin, who daily endured trail and tempation and who nevertheless, united to Christ by faith, share in h is life and tasted his power.
The Christian life, as Calvin describes it, is lived simultaneously in the shadow of the corss and in the bright light of the resurrection. That the writer himself knew something of the cost of discipleship is clear from a consideration of his own experience. The distress of exile, the burden of poverty, the hurt of slander and misrepresentation, the threat of physical harm, were all things he knew at first hand. Farel, Calvin's colleague, rightly calls him 'my good true brother, who is a partner in the cross of Jesus,...a man active and upright in the work of the gospel'. The author who speaks in the Institues about the pressures of Christian living is no armchair moralist, nor is he an unyielding Stoic for whom overt displays of emotion are a grave weekness. For Calvin tears as well as joy have a valid and necessary to be devoid of feeling is to be no better than a stone or block of wood. The essential thing is that, in good times and in bad, we continue to trust God who through grace has adopted us as his children, who quickens and comforts us by his Spirit, and who bids us persevere in the well-doing until our life's end.
The present translation has been newly made from the French of the 1560 Institutes, and follows the text established by Jean-Daniel Benoit in his 5-volume edition of the work. Chapter and section divisions correspond to those of the original publication, but chapter titles have been moditied and section headings are my own. Calvin ususally supplies references for the Scripture passages he cites, and these are given in the body of the text. Some brief endnotes have been added.
When John Calvin began writing his Institutes of the Christian Religion, he had in mind a short doctrinal work - a handbook or manual -which would set out, in straightforward fashion, the essentials of the Christian faith. Although the sustained persecution of Protestants in France led him in time to accentuate the apologetic nature of the book, the Institutes, as first published in 1536, remained a work of Christian instruction, intended, as Calvin says in his prefatory letter, for those who were 'touched with some zeal for religion', and principally for those among his French compatriots who 'were hungering and thirsting for Christ', and who 'might be shaped to true godliness'.
A second edition of the Institues followed in 1539. More elaborate and comprehensive than the first, over twice as long, it was, like the first, written in latin, and thus accessible only to a limited readership. The need for a French version, already apparent to Calvin in 1536, was overwhelming. Accordingly the Reformer, on his return to Geneva in 1541 after a three-year absence in Strasbourg, entrusted his French text to Genevan printer Michel du Bois, who placed it in circulation tht same year. Like the second Latin edition on which it was based, the first French edition comprised seventeen chapters, the last being entitled 'On the Christian Life'.
No chapter better corresponds to the author's original intention than this. It offered a clear, balanced set of directions and encouragements to all who desired to live according to the gospel. Strong in its theological affirmation of God's righteousness and providential care, of the reconciliation won for us by Chris and of the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification, it was equally strong in its pastoral concern for believers who were beset by their own weakness and sin, who daily endured trail and tempation and who nevertheless, united to Christ by faith, share in h is life and tasted his power.
The Christian life, as Calvin describes it, is lived simultaneously in the shadow of the corss and in the bright light of the resurrection. That the writer himself knew something of the cost of discipleship is clear from a consideration of his own experience. The distress of exile, the burden of poverty, the hurt of slander and misrepresentation, the threat of physical harm, were all things he knew at first hand. Farel, Calvin's colleague, rightly calls him 'my good true brother, who is a partner in the cross of Jesus,...a man active and upright in the work of the gospel'. The author who speaks in the Institues about the pressures of Christian living is no armchair moralist, nor is he an unyielding Stoic for whom overt displays of emotion are a grave weekness. For Calvin tears as well as joy have a valid and necessary to be devoid of feeling is to be no better than a stone or block of wood. The essential thing is that, in good times and in bad, we continue to trust God who through grace has adopted us as his children, who quickens and comforts us by his Spirit, and who bids us persevere in the well-doing until our life's end.
The present translation has been newly made from the French of the 1560 Institutes, and follows the text established by Jean-Daniel Benoit in his 5-volume edition of the work. Chapter and section divisions correspond to those of the original publication, but chapter titles have been moditied and section headings are my own. Calvin ususally supplies references for the Scripture passages he cites, and these are given in the body of the text. Some brief endnotes have been added.
168 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
John Calvin
1,697 books540 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2023
One of the best books I ever read! I would encourage anyone who is a Christian to read this book. It is very easy to read and gives practical application on how Christians should live as well as help train your thoughts to center on the things of God.
August 27, 2018
A wonderful little book on encouraging one on striving to live a Christian life.
October 26, 2019
If you’ve never read anything by John Calvin, this excerpt from his much larger Institutes of the Christian Religion is an excellent introduction to his thought. The prose, translated from the French edition by Robert White, smoothly sings.
Founded on Scripture, the key to the Christian life is self-denial which is demonstrated in three areas of living: present suffering (bearing our cross), anticipating the life to come (the promise of resurrection), and rightly enjoying the blessings of this life (not overindulgence nor asceticism).
In our consumerist culture (which is really a religion, if we’re being honest), Calvin calls us to humility and love for our neighbors which, if followed, would completely change our community. I found myself convicted and inspired, as well as comforted by God’s goodness and his care for me. As I prepare my sermon on Psalm 131, this little book functions like a commentary for that poem.
Founded on Scripture, the key to the Christian life is self-denial which is demonstrated in three areas of living: present suffering (bearing our cross), anticipating the life to come (the promise of resurrection), and rightly enjoying the blessings of this life (not overindulgence nor asceticism).
In our consumerist culture (which is really a religion, if we’re being honest), Calvin calls us to humility and love for our neighbors which, if followed, would completely change our community. I found myself convicted and inspired, as well as comforted by God’s goodness and his care for me. As I prepare my sermon on Psalm 131, this little book functions like a commentary for that poem.
July 21, 2020
Calvin's doctrine of the interplay of providence and hardship doesn't seem fully worked out here, but he generally strikes a nice balance between despising the world and embracing it. I have read this book a handful of times over the past several years. It always challenges and encourages me, and I warmly commend it to anyone touched with a zeal for religion. Now, if only I could summon the will to read the Institutes in full.
August 29, 2025
I have read this a few times in the Institutes, but it does read well as a separate book. I would have liked a little more on the positive good of this world's blessings and a godly enjoyment of them, but what he says is excellent, and leans a little more towards his own personality.
Loved it.
Loved it.
December 13, 2017
Great little volume. Definitely worth the read and a re-read.
February 11, 2018
I couldn't finish the Institutes last year. So I was thankful to get the chance to read this gem.
January 3, 2019
A small special gem by Calvin for Christian living.
July 30, 2019
A great little book on the Christian life. Some really helpful applications and reminders. I especially liked the idea of living in the shadow of the cross and the light of the resurrection.
January 23, 2020
Selection of devotional readings from the institute. Good stuff.
May 20, 2020
This was a short, too the point and powerful book about living the Christian life. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about the principles behind living out your faith in daily life.
August 2, 2022
Jam packed with spiritual goodies. Will read again and take good notes.
December 28, 2024
Robert White's translation here is my personal favorite of all the existing translations of Calvin's little spiritual classic work.
January 25, 2016
Great little primer for ICR, Calvin's focus on the necessity of self-denial stood out.
September 7, 2018
John Calvin on the Christian life. There is a lot of sober reflection here and much to learn. I'm thankful for this little book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews