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A Brief Introduction to Calvin Studies

What did Calvin teach? What did Calvin think? Aren't these easy questions to answer?

In some sense they are: Calvin writes with a quite direct and concise style (for a sixteenth century writer). Calvin's theology was not just written for the academy, but the church. It is accessible.

It is also subtle and complex. Thus, there is a vigorous guild of Calvin scholars who not only read Calvin's texts, but give careful consideration of various aspects of the sixteenth century context to illuminate Calvin's context and teaching.

There are many, many books out there on Calvin. Thus, I will not seek to be comprehensive with my list here, but just highlight some key books that the general reader of Calvin should be aware of.

Introductions to Calvin

Wendel, F. Origins and Development of His Religious Thought

This book is not new, but it is generally considered one of the best introductions to both the life and thought of Calvin.

 

Elwood, C. Calvin for Armchair Theologians

This book would be very accessible for a Sunday School class -- includes illustrations! :-)

 

Hesselink, J. Calvin's First Catechism

This catechism and well-written commentary can be a good way to give laypeople first hand exposure to Calvin. For our own classroom, it is helpful by giving us a sample of the catechism genre, with its own virtues: on all the topics of Calvin's theology, there is a brief statement of them in the catechism, then an explanation in the commentary by Hesselink. It is important to keep this genre in mind as you dig deep into the Institutes, commentaries, etc.

 

Biographies of Calvin

Ganoczy, A. The Young Calvin

The most comprehensive biography of the early life and training of Calvin. It is excellent on Calvin's relationship to Roman Catholicism. (Ganoczy sees Vatican II as actually addressing many of the concerns of the young Calvin he writes about.)

 

Parker, T. H. L. John Calvin: A Biography

A short and somewhat dated biography, but well written and generally reliable.

 

Bouwsma, W. John Calvin: A Sixteenth Century Portrait

An interesting, if somewhat idiosyncratic, biography.

 

Secondary Works on Calvin's Thought (General)

McKim, D. The Cambridge Companion to John Calvin

An excellent book of essays on the key historical and theological dimensions of Calvin's life and career. Highly recommended as a book for reference.

 

Muller, R. The Unaccommodated Calvin

This is an extremely erudite work that can be very helpful in understanding the genre of the Institutes and the nature of his theological program. A very important book.

 

The 'Catholic' Calvin: Calvin and the Teaching of the Church Universal

Lane, Anthony. Calvin and the Church Fathers

A truly extraordinary book with essays on Calvin's knowledge and use of patristic materials, as well as quite complete listings of how many times Calvin sites different works and where he cites them. Wow!

 

Butin, Phil. Revelation, Redemption and Response: Calvin's Trinitarian Understanding of the Divine-Human Relationship

This is the most extensive account of Calvin's trinitarian theology available. It also presents a substantial set of arguments against the thesis that Calvin systematically separates the divine from the human in his theology.

 

Tamburello, D. Union With Christ: John Calvin and the Mysticism of St. Bernard

While this book would be best read with Anthony Lane's work, it is an interesting comparison of Calvin with Bernard on the key theme of union with Christ.

 

Billings, J. Todd. ‘United to God through Christ: Calvin on the Question of Deification,’ Harvard Theological Review 98:3, July 2005.

Yeah, yeah, silly to put oneself on a list...but on the Catholic and Orthodox notions of "participation" and "deification," this is one of the main pieces out there. A much more extensive account of Calvin's theology of participation in Christ will be released in my book, Calvin, Participation and the Gift, in December 2007 with Oxford University Press.

 

Roland Wallace. Calvin's Doctrine of Word and Sacrament. Also, Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life

Solid studies on Calvin's sacramental theology and Calvin's doctrine of the Christian life.

 

Calvin the Biblical Commentator

McKim, D. Calvin and the Bible

A multi-author volume on Calvin's exegesis of various genres and books in the Bible.

 

Parker, T.H.L. Calvin's Old Testament Commentaries, Calvin's New Testament Commentaries

Helpful reference works on the context and basic approach of Calvin's Old and New Testament commentaries.

Special Topics

 

Schreiner, S. Theater of His Glory: Nature and the Natural World in Calvin's Thought

A standard guide to Calvin's theology of nature and the natural world.

Other Calvin Studies Resources

The Meeter Center, Calvin Theological Seminary

This is the best Calvin resource center outside of Geneva. Drop by and the staff will give you knowledgeable help in researching any topic related to Calvin and Calvinism. The collection seeks to have every dissertation or book written on Calvin in English. They also have some wonderful 16th century items in their special collection: for example, works of Calvin in Italian sandwiched between less seditious works. Being caught with a work of Calvin in Italy could put one in jail, if not worse!

 

Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation, 4 vols.                                                                                                                                                           Excellent articles on the figures and topics of the Reformation.

 

Christian Classics Ethereal Library

This online database has many works of Calvin -- some in Latin -- as well as works of the church fathers and other theologians.  It is readily available for that "Calvin Sunday School Class" you're thinking about leading!