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John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life
There are many biographies of John Calvin, the theologian--some villifying him and others extolling his virtues--but few that reveal John Calvin, the man.Professor and renowned Reformation historian Herman Selderhuis has written this book to bring Calvin near to the reader, showing him as a man who had an impressive impact on the development of the Western world, but who was first of all a believer struggling with God and with the way God governed both the world and his own life.Selderhuis draws on Calvin's own publications and commentary on the biblical figures with whom he strongly identified to describe his theology in the context of his personal development. Throughout we see a person who found himself alone at many of the decisive moments of his life--a fact that echoed through Calvin's subsequent sermons and commentaries. Selderhuis's unique and compelling look at John Calvin, with all of his merits and foibles, ultimately discloses a man who could not find himself at home in the world in which he lived.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 20, 2025
4.5 Stars
Herman Selderhuis' "John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life" is an outstanding biography on the remarkable yet controversial church figure John Calvin. Selderhuis book focuses on Calvin's life as a pilgrim, and how Calvin saw himself as God's hound dog sent to protect true belief in God, and yet how at the same time alienated and exiled Calvin. Calvin lived the life of the pilgrim, but lived a faithful life honoring God and serving others. Selderhuis book is a balanced treatment of Calvin. He dispels many untruths about Calvin's miserliness and stern demeanor. Calvin was an emotional character that loved his church and was eager to serve other with God's truth. But Selderhuis is honest about Calvin's fault's as well, showing that Calvin was often stubbornly unmoving in his convictions, even ones that were not explicitly Biblical.
Overall this was an excellent book that I enjoyed about a historical figure that I love. Calvin has taught me so much about true worship of God and right doctrine and it's amazing to see that he was just a man who struggled and went through much suffering. I highly recommend this book as it is a stark reminder for Christians and pastors to live faithful lives even in the midst of struggles, and that God uses our weak work more than we could ever dream or imagine!
Herman Selderhuis' "John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life" is an outstanding biography on the remarkable yet controversial church figure John Calvin. Selderhuis book focuses on Calvin's life as a pilgrim, and how Calvin saw himself as God's hound dog sent to protect true belief in God, and yet how at the same time alienated and exiled Calvin. Calvin lived the life of the pilgrim, but lived a faithful life honoring God and serving others. Selderhuis book is a balanced treatment of Calvin. He dispels many untruths about Calvin's miserliness and stern demeanor. Calvin was an emotional character that loved his church and was eager to serve other with God's truth. But Selderhuis is honest about Calvin's fault's as well, showing that Calvin was often stubbornly unmoving in his convictions, even ones that were not explicitly Biblical.
Overall this was an excellent book that I enjoyed about a historical figure that I love. Calvin has taught me so much about true worship of God and right doctrine and it's amazing to see that he was just a man who struggled and went through much suffering. I highly recommend this book as it is a stark reminder for Christians and pastors to live faithful lives even in the midst of struggles, and that God uses our weak work more than we could ever dream or imagine!
January 10, 2017
This book was absolutely phenomenal. Selderhuis presents Calvin from an unbiased and straightforward position. This allows for the reader to get to know Calvin as a person in every aspect of his life. His strengths, convictions, and weaknesses are brought in to light. There are many opinions of Calvin, both positive and negative. Selderhuis does well to examine the common criticism toward Calvin's personality, his role in the affairs of Geneva's political life, and his tight grip approach to topics such as church discipline and the sacraments.
His intent in this book is not to merely denounce any and all criticism of the man that Calvin was, but to honestly expound on the cultural and political events that influenced Calvin to take the action that he did. In this his actions are not always justified, but some of the more common assaults against him are rebuked by examining the facts. We are presented with a man who, in contrast to popular assumption, was a highly emotional, frail, and sympathetic pastor. A French refugee who, in spite of his (at times) unbearably stubborn attitude, was so easily persuaded to abandon his deepest longings by the whiff of God's potential wrath against him. (Farel) A man who was deeply driven by a desire to glorify God and to devote his life to what he believed was faithful service toward the One who had spared him from so much pain.
It is widely known that Calvin did suffer from a lot of pain, both physical and psychological. He would have given absolutely anything, short of abandoning his faith, to simply get away and spend his time (which he never had enough of) reading and studying God alone. But Calvin knew he wasn't called to that life, he was called to devote every waking second of his days to God's church. Here his passion for the instruction of God's Word is put on display as well as his heart which ultimately clung to that Word by grace through faith alone.
His intent in this book is not to merely denounce any and all criticism of the man that Calvin was, but to honestly expound on the cultural and political events that influenced Calvin to take the action that he did. In this his actions are not always justified, but some of the more common assaults against him are rebuked by examining the facts. We are presented with a man who, in contrast to popular assumption, was a highly emotional, frail, and sympathetic pastor. A French refugee who, in spite of his (at times) unbearably stubborn attitude, was so easily persuaded to abandon his deepest longings by the whiff of God's potential wrath against him. (Farel) A man who was deeply driven by a desire to glorify God and to devote his life to what he believed was faithful service toward the One who had spared him from so much pain.
It is widely known that Calvin did suffer from a lot of pain, both physical and psychological. He would have given absolutely anything, short of abandoning his faith, to simply get away and spend his time (which he never had enough of) reading and studying God alone. But Calvin knew he wasn't called to that life, he was called to devote every waking second of his days to God's church. Here his passion for the instruction of God's Word is put on display as well as his heart which ultimately clung to that Word by grace through faith alone.
June 17, 2019
Dutch theologian Herman Selderhuis (b. 1961) has done a good job of presenting a short, popular introduction to the 16th century reformer and his era. In the introduction, the author says he feels “nothing for Calvin either way”; yet without turning the book into a hagiography, Selderhuis is generally positive, placing within proper historical context the attitudes and activities of Calvin for which he has been frequently criticized in subsequent generations.
I enjoyed the book and learned from it. Nevertheless, I had the tinkerer’s urge throughout, itching to tidy up the syntax and make different word choices. Some of the occasional awkwardness and strained colloquialisms of the work may originate in the translation from the Dutch.
I enjoyed the book and learned from it. Nevertheless, I had the tinkerer’s urge throughout, itching to tidy up the syntax and make different word choices. Some of the occasional awkwardness and strained colloquialisms of the work may originate in the translation from the Dutch.
December 10, 2018
Herman J.Selderhuis is a great biographer. And this biography based mainly on Calvin's letters is as good as his biography on Martin Luther. Calvin's good, bad and the ugly is made clear but also how God used all things in Calvin's life for God's glory. Behind everything Calvin did was the desire to glorify God in the fear of God. Luther was the chief reformer, and Calvin was the reformation's teacher.
June 2, 2024
The authors goal was to “even out” what some people have wrote about him in other biographies. I thought he fairly treated Calvin. Not protecting him or defending him where it wouldn’t be right to, but also defending him in places where people have portrayed him unfairly. It was a gift to learn more about Calvin. He was much more emotional and had a very difficult pastorate in Geneva. I praise God for his use of a weak sinner like Calvin!
September 12, 2022
A solid and sympathetic but balanced biography of Calvin. Selderhuis defends Calvin against unfounded attacks but also admits his many faults (as Calvin himself did). There is also a fair amount of ironic/sarcastic humor included in the narrative. This is an excellent introductory biography of Calvin for those who want to get a fair look at the shape of his life.
February 16, 2024
I wanted to review a biography of Calvin before re-reading the Institutes this Summer (Lord willing). I had never perused this one before. The author is passionate but the format reads like bullet-point history. Nevertheless, it was worth the time.
May 11, 2018
Excellent book: well written in a clear and accessible English. However don’t start here if you’re interested in Calvin. Start by reading something by Calvin himself.
February 24, 2023
Easy to get bogged down as you read. A lot of information but also at times leaves you a little bored with what is going on. Otherwise, a good book about Calvin and his beliefs.
June 24, 2013
An Overview
In his own words, Selderhuis describes himself neither friend nor foe. “I feel nothing for Calvin either way, but I am fascinated by him as a person.” In Calvin’s own words, he bears his true soul in his letters. With this in mind, Selderhuis says that the most important source for his book is his correspondence. The book has ten chapters, each just over 20 pages, broken down in sections.
In this book, according to Selderhuis, he just wanted to tell the story of Calvin’s life to discover what he was like as a person. Over 250 plus pages Selderhuis does just that, focusing on Calvin the man and the Geneva in which he lived and the key people he interacted with. And Calvin wore many hats, even that of a husband, but the one he valued most was that of pastor-theologian.
An Evaluation
This work is quite informative. I appreciate the chapter layout. However, I wish there was a chapter on Calvin the humanist, since his humanism was such a foundational part of this approach. While there was mention of the rising star Beza and the academy in Geneva and the fact that students came from all over the world to matriculate, there was no mention of John Knox, who studied under Calvin and took Reformed theology back to his native Scotland and the rest is history.
But I did appreciate greatly Selderhuis Geneva, if you will. Since he described himself as neither a foe nor a friend, I was especially looking forward to his treatment on Calvin and Michael Servetus. In the end, Selderhuis only confirmed what all objected scholars and historians of Calvin have already written. Most importantly, I believe, Selderhuis did not take a photoshop approach to Calvin as a person. Calvin was portrayed as a flawed human being, even dictatorial at times. But it is what Calvin thought about himself in light of God’s will, that made the difference in his life. As the saying goes, “God writes straight with crooked lines.”
If you’re interested in the life of Calvin, especially through his many letters, in which he bore his soul, and which serve to correct many caricatures of Calvin, then this work by Herman J. Selderhuis–is a must read.
In his own words, Selderhuis describes himself neither friend nor foe. “I feel nothing for Calvin either way, but I am fascinated by him as a person.” In Calvin’s own words, he bears his true soul in his letters. With this in mind, Selderhuis says that the most important source for his book is his correspondence. The book has ten chapters, each just over 20 pages, broken down in sections.
In this book, according to Selderhuis, he just wanted to tell the story of Calvin’s life to discover what he was like as a person. Over 250 plus pages Selderhuis does just that, focusing on Calvin the man and the Geneva in which he lived and the key people he interacted with. And Calvin wore many hats, even that of a husband, but the one he valued most was that of pastor-theologian.
An Evaluation
This work is quite informative. I appreciate the chapter layout. However, I wish there was a chapter on Calvin the humanist, since his humanism was such a foundational part of this approach. While there was mention of the rising star Beza and the academy in Geneva and the fact that students came from all over the world to matriculate, there was no mention of John Knox, who studied under Calvin and took Reformed theology back to his native Scotland and the rest is history.
But I did appreciate greatly Selderhuis Geneva, if you will. Since he described himself as neither a foe nor a friend, I was especially looking forward to his treatment on Calvin and Michael Servetus. In the end, Selderhuis only confirmed what all objected scholars and historians of Calvin have already written. Most importantly, I believe, Selderhuis did not take a photoshop approach to Calvin as a person. Calvin was portrayed as a flawed human being, even dictatorial at times. But it is what Calvin thought about himself in light of God’s will, that made the difference in his life. As the saying goes, “God writes straight with crooked lines.”
If you’re interested in the life of Calvin, especially through his many letters, in which he bore his soul, and which serve to correct many caricatures of Calvin, then this work by Herman J. Selderhuis–is a must read.
February 26, 2014
Herman J. Selderhuis presents a detailed, compelling, and helpful biography of the life of John Calvin. Throughout the book, Calvin’s pilgrim journey (spiritually and physically) is laid out so as to impact the reader’s own understanding of each stopping point along the way. Throughout the book he manages to present Calvin in as unprejudiced a manner as possible, as hard as this is when dealing with one of the most controversial and polarizing individuals of the last five centuries.
One aspect of Calvin’s life which Selderhuis points out that most moderns tend to forget is his role as a second generation reformer walking in the footsteps of those, like Luther, who had gone before. This allowed him to build on a foundation and have a clearer thinking. Contrary to popular opinion, Selderhuis proves that Calvin not only never governed Geneva but was often an outcast there. A similarly misunderstood issue clarified is Calvin’s next-to non existent role in the Servetus controversy.
Calvin believed that God intended man to enjoy what had been given to him and so took great delight in good food and fine wine. In the same way, Calvin also loved a good piece of humor and the laughter that should accompany it. This is very different from the image which has been predominately passed down to us, but it truly is who Calvin was.
Of the legacies Calvin left, the two which lift themselves from the text of Selderhuis’ work are his Institutes and the Academy of Geneva. Through these two legacies of Calvin, the modern world was born. The 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries were largely built by Calvin’s spiritual descendants born through these two legacies.
Personally, I was deeply moved by Herman Selderhuis’s John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life. After reading this biography I feel new appreciation for John Calvin, the man. His life was built around a longing after God and His righteousness which few theologians have. Selderhuis’s work is an an incredibly insightful and helpful look into the life of the man who, though not the originator, was the spiritual father of the Reformed Church.
One aspect of Calvin’s life which Selderhuis points out that most moderns tend to forget is his role as a second generation reformer walking in the footsteps of those, like Luther, who had gone before. This allowed him to build on a foundation and have a clearer thinking. Contrary to popular opinion, Selderhuis proves that Calvin not only never governed Geneva but was often an outcast there. A similarly misunderstood issue clarified is Calvin’s next-to non existent role in the Servetus controversy.
Calvin believed that God intended man to enjoy what had been given to him and so took great delight in good food and fine wine. In the same way, Calvin also loved a good piece of humor and the laughter that should accompany it. This is very different from the image which has been predominately passed down to us, but it truly is who Calvin was.
Of the legacies Calvin left, the two which lift themselves from the text of Selderhuis’ work are his Institutes and the Academy of Geneva. Through these two legacies of Calvin, the modern world was born. The 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries were largely built by Calvin’s spiritual descendants born through these two legacies.
Personally, I was deeply moved by Herman Selderhuis’s John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life. After reading this biography I feel new appreciation for John Calvin, the man. His life was built around a longing after God and His righteousness which few theologians have. Selderhuis’s work is an an incredibly insightful and helpful look into the life of the man who, though not the originator, was the spiritual father of the Reformed Church.
April 8, 2016
Selderhuis’ work is an excellent introduction to the life of Calvin. It is not intended as a theological work, but nonetheless displays how Calvin lived out his theology in his life. By showing the consistency in his beliefs such as predestination and providence with the rest of his life, Selderhuis’ biography convinces his readers of Calvin’s faithfulness to his beliefs. Selderhuis helped me see Calvin at a more objective level, in acknowledgement of his failures with church government at times. However, his arrangement of Calvin’s letters especially gave me a great sympathy for the Reformer. Calvin’s story surely deserves to be told, and for those new to him, Selderhuis’ book couldn’t be a better place to start.
March 25, 2011
Selderhuis biography remains an excellent account of Calvin’s life. I certainly liked the opportunity to read a personal, lively account of John Calvin’s life over a dry, stoic account. As one who enjoys knowing about the personal business of respected people in history, I really enjoyed getting to read about the details of Calvin’s day to day life. Selderhuis was certainly successful of breaking down some of my own false beliefs about who Calvin was and helped me to understand the true Calvin. I was affected by the emphasis that Calvin put on his life as simple a servant obedient to God and saw that I ought to look to God in the same manner as I live out my day-to-day life.
November 25, 2012
The most helpful part of the book is knowing the author's mindset going in. He very clearly writes that he has neither a strong affinity towards nor disliking of Calvin, rather he is simply interested in the man. The author highlights many of Calvin's strengths and vindicating the man, while also addressing many of Calvin's flaws. This would serve for a great objective intro into Calvin's life, by the die hard Calvin lovers may find offenses throughout the book.
At times, sections are repetitive, and the footnotes/endnotes may be lacking, but it is a tremendous introduction to the hurricane reformer that was Calvin
September 29, 2012
This biography was largely drawn from the personal letters of Calvin and so goes to provide a true picture of a man who struggled with his own humanity. Calvin was emotional and susceptible to anger and grief, but made great efforts to deal patiently with those who opposed him. Even if one is not a Calvinist, there is much to learn and appreciate in this biography. I think Selderhuis does a great job painting the life of Calvin, warts and all...
September 18, 2012
This is a decent and very readable overview of Calvin's life and times, which attempts to create some distance from the sort of unsavory image that Calvin has in some circles. The books adds some dimension to Calvin's story. At the same time, I think the author sometimes works a little too hard to distance Calvin from some of that reputation. All in all, still a good, enjoyable read.
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February 23, 2010A great layman (or womans!) biography. I learned so much and have gained a new appreciation for his various struggles. My only complaint - a bit choppy in it's organization.
December 31, 2011
I think this is the best biography on Calvin.
July 7, 2012
Engaging, the life of the reformer of Geneva, John Calvin. Good background of the events in the old world during Calvin's life. I now have a better understanding of this faithful servant of Christ.
March 8, 2013
Well written biography based on Calvin's personal letters.
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April 13, 2011Interesting book.
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September 26, 2014An excellent Calvin bio - well written, accessible, and makes extensive use of the primary sources.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews