John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion

Matt: Calvin's Institutes are a classic and something any Christian who takes the time to swim in these waters will find great benefit and help from. I think for many folks, Calvin is seen as a cold, hard man who wrote dry and harshly. If you read through the Institutes, you'll see that could not be further from the truth. Calvin was first a Christian, a man who loved and cherished the Lord Jesus Christ, and he was next a pastor. He had a great care for God's people, for the growth of the Church, and that individual believers would know more and more the grace of God. You see that shine through in his writing. The Institutes really are so pastoral and even devotional at times.
In terms of editions, I have both the more recent Banner of Truth edition, translated by White, which is actually the 1541 French edition and not the final, complete edition of the Institutes. I also have the 2 volume edition translated by Battles and edited by McNeill, and this one is more widely used in academic circles. Out of all three common editions on the market today, I actually prefer and recommend this edition by Beveridge. I think his translation is actually better in a lot of parts than Battles'...

United States on Jan 26, 2024

twocupscoffee: I am learning a lot with this book. It's good to read to learn more about the Christian faith. John Calvin was one of the Reformers. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Reformers and what they believed as it is a basis for what Reformed believers believe today.

United States on Jan 22, 2024

Rut: Like it

Canada on Dec 11, 2023

Anacrusis: Every pastor, elder, lay-preacher, theology professor, or student of theology should have this book and read it. It is easily one of the most important pieces of Christian theology ever written. Not for the faint of heart, this is a challenging read.

Mexico on Aug 02, 2023

Mr. Galviz: Calvin war ein brennender Prediger, welchen von vielen kritisiert und sogar verspottet wurde und immer noch wird.

Kaufe es Dir, ohne Reue!

Möge der Herr Dich segnen!!!

Germany on Apr 09, 2023

Muir Man: Forget modern Christian writers or fake preachers - Calvin nailed down every aspect of Christianity in easy to understand language. This book is a huge powerhouse that needs to be read slowly and absorbed into your soul. Instead of being harsh or fatalistic - Calvin comes across as direct and factual. God is all knowing, and knows if you are going to be saved, we do not know for sure completely. Unfortunately not all supposed Christians will be saved, God chooses his elect not us. If we are in control then it switches to our ability to save ourselves and makes God imperfect, or not all knowing and all powerful. Read this book and see the effect Calvin had in the Reformed Churches, the Presbyterian Churches and Puritanism.

United States on Mar 02, 2023

Penguin: It has been a marathon. It has taken me two years to read through this book. Its length is a reason for sure. Its subject matter also means that it cannot be rushed but must be given the time and attention that it deserves. If you have the patience, desire and aptitude to take this on, for me, it is the book on systematic theology. Reading it is an experience in its own right. It is difficult to convey how extraordinary this journey has been. Calvin’s relentless focus on the lofty things of God is the way to transport us to another plane and keep us there. He proves the truth that God’s glory is attention gripping with his singular focus on God throughout. If you wonder how to fix your eyes on Christ, this is it and there is no time to stray! Often we don’t know Christ with enough substance for us to fix our eyes on Him. This book will cure that. Calvin sings with elegance and eloquence on God’s truth that conveys otherness. Whenever you open the book, your mental space immediately enters into the sanctuary of God with awe and reverence ascribed to Him. You are then locked in that other-worldly space where God resides. Even just with glimpses of it is mind-boggling that...

United Kingdom on Nov 06, 2022

Ch'ti Québécossais: C'est la première fois que je lis Calvin. Je cherchais une version abordable (niveau langage et prix).
L'anglais reste pour moi plus facile que l'ancien français.
Je n'ai lu que quelques chapitre, et pour l'instant je suis ravi de plonger dans la profondeur de la théologie de Calvin.
Attention cependant : il ne s'agit que du 1er volume. Je croyais recevoir un recueil, mais non. La description est trompeuse.

France on Jul 23, 2019

KentuckianaKinist: I just finished reading John Calvin’s massive systematic theology, *The Institutes of the Christian Religion*, specifically, the Henry Beveridge translation currently reprinted by Hendrickson Publishers. Though written four and a half centuries ago, it is of enduring value. Calvin’s work is perhaps the most classical book-length work of Reformed theology ever written.
All who term themselves Calvinist or Reformed know the five points of the T.U.L.I.P., and some have read one or more of the Reformation era confessions (such as the Westminster 1647 or London Baptist 1689). But most never actually read Calvin’s *Institutes* to get a full course in systematic theology. Well, now I am one of the comparatively few who has!
The Institutes was originally published in four volumes, and revised before Calvin’s early death. The hardcover Hendrickson edition that I read, thanks to modern printing methods, is all in one volume and just over 1,000 pages in length.
Calvin was brilliant, the mid of a lawyer, fluent in multiple languages, classically educated, and a chosen vessel of God born to strike the Roman Catholic Church an intellectual blow from which it has never...

United States on Apr 29, 2019