Piety's Wisdom: A Summary of Calvin's Institutes with Study Questions

by J. Mark Beach

John Calvin's The Institutes of the Christian Religion presents one of the most winsome, thought-provoking, spiritually inspiring, and heart-searching summations of Christian truth ever written. Although works exist that either offer an analysis of Calvin's views or serve as a guide to his Institutes, none fully share the aim of J. Mark Beach's Piety's Wisdom. Keeping to the form, shape, and tenor of Calvin's own work, Piety's Wisdom offers busy pastors, seminarians, interested college students, and motivated laypersons a book that presents Calvin on his own terms. This summary can be used as an introduction to the Christian faith, as a primer for the study of Calvin, or a combination of each. While the book is suitable for individual study, the inclusion of study questions makes it an ideal tool for facilitating discussion in adult study groups. Author J. Mark Beach is an Associate Pastor at Redeemer United Reformed Church in Dyer, Indiana. He also serves as Professor of Ministerial and Doctrinal Studies, and Dean of Students at Mid-America Reformed Seminary.

Endorsements "Though road maps (or a GPS) are no substitute for the experience of traveling through the country side, they can be a great help to the traveler in identifying the best route and the highpoints of the trip. J. Mark Beach's Piety's Wisdom is such a help for the reader who hopes to travel or navigate his or her way through Calvins great exposition of the Christian faith, The Institutes. Written for the general reader, Beach offers a useful guide that identifies the important landmarks, points the way through, and thereby whets the readers appetite for a first-hand acquaintance with Calvin's theology." - Cornelis Venema

Genres: Theology

355 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2010

Reviews

[William]

Dr. J. Mark Beach (who was a featured guest on Covenant Radio) wrote this wonderful book that should be read alongside a reading of the Institutes of the Christian Religion. There are many wonderful aspects of this work. First, the summary discussions of each section of the Institutes makes for simpler and easier understanding of Calvin. Second, the discussion questions at the end of each chapter are an invaluable tool for drilling the information he offers into our minds and heart. They allow for a deeper probing of the material if used correctly.

[Sean Dupont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding summary of Calvin’s Institutes. Will widely recommend it to all of my friends.