Martin Luther and John Calvin are household names, of a type where people have no idea about them other than knowing their importance in Christian thought and culture. It is surprising, therefore, how closely their language and concerns reflect modern times. Martin Luther was a rabble-rousing man of the people, filled with invective and the emotional force of connecting with humanity rather than culture or wealth. John Calvin’s sardonic sense of humour permeates a constant barrage of mythbusting that would do a modern-day fact checker proud.
Three less well-known writers round out the collection. Zwingli, Melancthon and Savonarola all preach with a force befitting true Christians fighting against the vast powers of a Catholic church that was the most powerful entity in Europe, and had consolidated a wide range of practices that broke the people away from an experience of divinity.
Savonarola speaks with the voice of a travelling preacher, a man of the people whose voice matched that of Eugene Debs. Zwingli spoke with a proud nationalism and pride that was wounded by the use of foreign armies, when the land could provide for all its citizens if managed correctly. Melancthon is an academic, providing a point-by-point deconstruction of the Pope’s claimed powers in ways that were irrefutable even for the Jesuit strains that held the Catholic Church’s intellectual force.
Just as with the liberation fighters, socialists, and anarchists of previous volumes, these historical figures lived under great threat, attacking vast forces with little more than courage and the certainty of their beliefs. They stand as the bridge over the cultural change between the middle ages and the renaissance.
New Translation of John Calvin's Classic Work Explores What It Means to Live the Christian Life
For centuries, Christians have read John Calvin's On the Christian Life to answer a fundamental question: What does it mean to live faithfully as a Christian? This fresh translation of what is often referred to as Calvin's 'Golden Booklet' introduces a new generation of readers to a classic work of Christian spirituality.
In the book—a portion of the Reformer's magnum opus, Institutes of the Christian Religion—Calvin suggests that a deep understanding of theology is worthless if the gospel has yet to 'penetrate into the most intimate affection of the heart.' Touching on essential themes like self-denial, submission to God, bearing one's cross, enduring suffering for the sake of righteousness, and meditating on the life to come, this accessible work will help believers reflect on their lives as Christians and lean on the grace of Jesus in everyday life.
- A Brand-New Translation: Translated from the original Latin edition by Calvin scholar Raymond A. Blacketer—making this classic work more accessible to modern readers than ever before
- A Fresh Introduction: Includes an all-new introduction by editor Anthony N. S. Lane, professor of historical doctrine at the London School of Theology
- Explores the Christian Life: Addresses themes including self-denial, taking up one's cross, submitting to God, and suffering for the sake of righteousness
Martin Luther and John Calvin are household names, of a type where people have no idea about them other than knowing their importance in Christian thought and culture. It is surprising, therefore, how closely their language and concerns reflect modern times. Martin Luther was a rabble-rousing man of the people, filled with invective and the emotional force of connecting with humanity rather than culture or wealth. John Calvin’s sardonic sense of humour permeates a constant barrage of mythbusting that would do a modern-day fact checker proud.
Three less well-known writers round out the collection. Zwingli, Melancthon and Savonarola all preach with a force befitting true Christians fighting against the vast powers of a Catholic church that was the most powerful entity in Europe, and had consolidated a wide range of practices that broke the people away from an experience of divinity.
Savonarola speaks with the voice of a travelling preacher, a man of the people whose voice matched that of Eugene Debs. Zwingli spoke with a proud nationalism and pride that was wounded by the use of foreign armies, when the land could provide for all its citizens if managed correctly. Melancthon is an academic, providing a point-by-point deconstruction of the Pope’s claimed powers in ways that were irrefutable even for the Jesuit strains that held the Catholic Church’s intellectual force.
Just as with the liberation fighters, socialists, and anarchists of previous volumes, these historical figures lived under great threat, attacking vast forces with little more than courage and the certainty of their beliefs. They stand as the bridge over the cultural change between the middle ages and the renaissance.
This collection of correspondences between Calvin and Sadoleto is an excellent primary source view of the most controversial issues facing Christians at the time. The split between Reformation and Roman Catholic beliefs was growing ever larger and the consequences more severe. While Calvin writes with deep theological arguments and in defense of individuals searching for truth, Sadoleto's pleas sound more like an emotional cry for unity, peace-keeping, and the return of the Catholic Church's lost children. This exchange and the ideas laid out in Calvin's letters are not only pertinent to the understanding of the history of the Christian church, but are also indefinitely relevant to individuals of any time period or circumstance looking to defend their faith and those in pursuit of truth.
This series, published by ONE audiobooks, seeks to produce Classic Christian titles read by well known and loved audiobook narrators. ONE takes great care to cast these titles with readers who will provide an unmatched listening experience for these important works.
Wayne Evans brings his passion to every performance and is considered to be one of the top audiobook narrators in the industry.
The church reached a turning point in the sixteenth century. Worship had become a spectacle, the gospel was distorted, the sacraments were replaced by superstition, and ministers lived in immorality. To restore the church to the teachings of Christ, the Reformers cried out for a return to God's authoritative Word. In this classic treatise, John Calvin presents four areas of the church's life and doctrine that must be carefully guarded and guided by Scripture. This timeless call for biblical faithfulness beckons us today. How will we respond?
This new translation by Dr. Casey Carmichael, with a foreword from Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, also includes A Reply to Cardinal Sadoleto, Calvin's letter defending the work of reformation as it was applied in the city of Geneva.
John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is over 1000 pages long. "Of Prayer" is a manageable excerpt from this monumental work highlighting the theologian's views on the nature and benefits of prayer. Calvin describes why praying to an omniscient God is still a necessary practice for Christians. He provides some helpful guidelines for prayer, detailing how to invigorate one's spiritual life through reverent communication with God.
"On the Christian Life" is an excerpt from John Calvin's monumental work, Institutes of the Christian Religion. This section focuses on how being a Christian influences a person's day-to-day life. Calvin describes how a Christian must deny himself daily in order to bear the cross of Christ and live out the duties of his faith. Christians are to live with an eye on the future, but Calvin also provides guidelines for how to enjoy the present comforts of life.
John Calvin describes the Catholic church as "very miserable, and almost desperate" in this 1543 work. He appeals directly to Holy Roman Emperor King Charles V, pointing out the failures of the church and demanding change.
On behalf of the reformers, Calvin details his proposed solution. He gives a stirring call to reinstate sound doctrine and rethink everything from worship practices, to church governance, to administration of the sacraments in this lesser-known, yet important work.
For centuries, Christians of all ages have turned to this book to help guide them in their journey as they follow Christ. This book is one of the great classics of the Christian faith, calling believers to pursue holiness and endure su ering as they rest in Christ alone. In this new translation, Aaron Denlinger and Burk Parsons capture John Calvin's biblical faithfulness, theological integrity, and pastor's heart.
The Necessity of Reforming the Church has been considered by many to be one of John Calvin's most important works. In this short letter, Calvin lays out his polemic for why the church must bring her beliefs and practices in line with Scripture. Written to address the abuses and corruptions that occurred in the church during the middle-ages, Calvin pastorally and forcefully addresses issues that carry into our present day. Though the forms and appearances of these corruptions in the church may have changed since 1543, the truths given in this book remain ever applicable to our modern situation.
Institutes of the Christian Religion is John Calvin’s seminal work on Protestant systematic theology. Highly influential in the Western world and still widely read by theological students today, it was published in Latin in 1536 and in his native French in 1541. The book serves as an introductory textbook on the Protestant faith for those with some previous knowledge of theology and covers a broad range of theological topics from the doctrines of church and sacraments to justification by faith alone and Christian liberty. It vigorously attacks teachings which Calvin considered unorthodox, particularly Roman Catholicism to which Calvin says he had been “strongly devoted” before his conversion to Protestantism. The overarching theme of the book—and Calvin’s greatest theological legacy—is the idea of God’s total sovereignty, particularly in salvation and election. Institutes of the Christian Religion is highly-regarded as a secondary reference for the system of doctrine adopted by the Reformed churches, which is commonly referred to as Calvinism.
“One of most important theological works ever written, if, for no other reason, the massive influence it has had on Western thought, history, religion, and culture. But even more than that, you will find in this book a vision of God that is not only glorious and holy, but beautiful, gracious, and full of love.”—Derek Brown, editor of The Journal of Discipleship and Family Ministry
"Let the first rule of right prayer then be, to have our heart and mind framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God." So begins John Calvin and his treatise on prayer. These SEMInal writings are from his Magnus Opus The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Prayer as Calvin describes it is not giddy, and he goes on to give Scriptural definitions of proper thought, engagement, and attitude. What do the roles of patience and self-denial play in the role of the Christian life and what does Christian piety look like? What should our views be of the present life and the future life? John Calvin is one of the giants of Christian history. These two sections of The Institutes guide us ever so thoughtfully and gracefully into his theology and practice of Christian living. Wonderfully narrated by James Adams, these are sure to both challenge and encourage one to a fuller devotion to Christ.
