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| Institutes of the Christian Religion (2 Volume Set) | 
 enlarge | Author: John Calvin
Creators: John T. Mcneill, Ford Lewis Battles
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Category: Book
List Price: $79.95
Buy New: $43.97
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (31 reviews)
Sales Rank: 9530
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1559 translation
Number Of Items: 2
Pages: 1800
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 2.9
ISBN: 0664220282
Dewey Decimal Number: 284
EAN: 9780664220280
ASIN: 0664220282
Publication Date: June 1960
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| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 The best available English translation of a classic April 11, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Lots of scholarly foodnotes, good introduction, and reliable translation. Truely recommend this book for serious studies.
Concerning This Edition January 19, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Calvin is insightful and indispensable for anyone who wants to study modern theology. I don't, however, mean to review this book on Calvin's merits, but only to lend 5 stars to the editors and commentators who made this edition. The notes are extensive, the indices are well compiled, the page-paper is smooth and of good quality, the typeface is pleasant, and the book itself is well constructed. This takes all the revisions Calvin made (from the Latin and French versions) and includes information concerning which revision is used or omitted in certain areas. The reason why this comes in two volumes whereas others can be condensed into one is because of the wealth of footnotes. If you're not interested in commentaries and other references, then they can easily be skipped; but for those who like to read other studies pertaining to Calvin's doctrines and gain a bit of insight into the earlier texts Calvin was drawing from, then these are very useful and well arranged.
And I also need to note the clarity of the translation. While at times it may seem a bit archaic, in select areas it needs must be. If you look at other translations of the text, sometimes they're impossible for the modern English-speaker to interpret while hearing Calvin's voice. The translator and editors made an effort to use modern vernacular and avoid Latinate terms as much as is appropriate, in my opinion.
Masterfully written, Christ-centered theology November 18, 2007
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is a masterfully written systematic summary and defense of the basic tenets of Christianity. It is exegetical in substance, Christ-centered in focus, worshipful in tone, and polemical in style.
Exegetical in substance - Calvin has been called the "father of modern exegesis" and rightly so. He pioneered the literal-historical-grammatical method of exegesis. This is especially true of his excellent commentaries, but also reflected in the Institutes. The final court of appeal for Calvin is Scripture. His arguments are laced with quotations from the Bible and one senses that Calvin was very hesitant to go further than Scripture in his surmizings.
Christ-centered in focus - This has really struck me in my reading Calvin (I'm now in volume 2 of this edition). Calvin's Christology was robust and it pervades virtually every page of the Institutes. This is especially true in Book III, which is especially rich.
Worshipful in tone - Despite what some people may think, Calvin is not a dry theologian. Some Calvinists could benefit from soaking in their fore-father - perhaps picking up some of his reverence and humility. Seriously, this book lifts my gaze to God. That's good enough reason to recommend it.
Polemical in style - Along with everything above, Calvin was a polemicist, no doubt about it. This book is saucy! Calvin didn't hesitate to call his adversaries by name AND call them names. That may seem harsh to modern readers and leave a sour taste in some mouths. But even Jesus could call the Pharisees vipers and Calvin doesn't stray too far from his master in this regard. We should also remember the turbulent times in which Calvin wrote. He says in his preface that one of the reasons he wrote the Institutes was to make clear what young French pastors who were being martyred were dying for. Remember that his friends were being killed for their convictions before getting too critical of Calvin's language.
This edition is probably the best available with helpful notes and an excellent team of scholars under J. T. McNeil behind the text. Calvin's quotations are documented and the text is keyed with symbols showing the development of the Institutes from its initial version in 1536 through its five reprints (the final in 1559).
An excellent read for anyone interested in Reformed theology, historical theology, systematic theology or . . . just theology!
Calvin is the best personal theological trainer I have ever found. Don't listen to the naysayers! May 7, 2007
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
What can I tell you? John Calvin helped me get my spiritual compass pointing north again! He got the flab and plaque out of my man-centered doctrine and whipped it into God and Christ-honoring shape! Reading his 'Institutes' was like getting a top-flight seminary-level education for fifty bucks. (except that unlike seminary, Calvin will strengthen your faith, not undermine it)
There are those who pick up the 'Institutes' for the first time and read it in the same way they pick up a Bible for the first time and read it. With preconceived notions and without the right historical (and spiritual) context. "It's too hard to understand. Too many words. Not relevant enough! Doesn't help me with my immediate problem(s). Doesn't add to the discussion (or debate). What is he talking about here, and why? He sure sounds intolerant! Have you got anything else?"
The Bible was not written in a vacuum and neither was Calvin's Institutes. When you realize the unbelievably adverse historical and personal circumstances Calvin did his pastoral and theological work under, you marvel that he even had strength or will to write letters to his friends and even to princes, let alone lengthy biblical commentaries and bulky catechetical tomes (which is what Institutes is). So it's only natural that his works have frequent references to some of those volatile situations and events and important, paradigm-shifting movements going on at the time, and the persons living (and dead) who were his most vociferous enemies. Read Paul's and Peter's epistles and the Gospels (and even the Psalms!). They are peppered with denunciatory remarks aimed at their enemies. Biblical faith and Christianity are not for pansies, cowards or the faint of heart. Straight talk and direct verbiage based on unchanging truth will defeat error, heresy and the wiles of the devil to encourage struggling believers and bring comfort and relief to sincere seekers.
If you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and the patience to remember that Calvin's Institutes was written first in Latin, then in French, then translated into English (and several other languages later)--and written nearly 500 years ago in a world much different from ours--then you will find an endless supply of useful and supremely-relevant spiritual wisdom and supernaturally-profound insights that will strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Scriptures and the unfolding of God's revelation to man throughout history, much more than you thought possible, and probably more than with any other book on systematic theology, ancient or modern.
Let it never be said that Calvin's Institutes should be placed on a par with the Bible or that it is free of error and infallible! I do, however feel totally confident in saying that, for a better understanding of the historical development of Christian doctrine, especially during that epochal and turbulent period called "The Great Reformation," and for a more established perception of what is biblical and unbiblical in a world of proliferating opinions and conflicting positions on matters of religion and faith, Calvin's Institutes is invaluable. It belongs in every Christian's library, period!
 Calvin Institutes March 15, 2006
4 out of 12 found this review helpful
very good volume of the Institutes with lots of footnotes. a must for any Calvinist or those looking to broaden their knowledge of Calvinism and what it is all about
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