The Institutes
If you want to get to know Calvin's theology, there is no better place to turn than to his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, one of the great works of Calvin's life. He sought to perfect it through most of his adult life. There were five major Latin editions in his lifetime (1536, 1539, 1543, 1550, 1559) and four French ones. The very first edition appeared in 1536 when he was just 26. Even as a small six chapter book, it was recognised as a brilliant achievement. In 1541 he published the first French edition. Originally intended to help the common people understand Christian basics Calvin kept expanding and reshaping it, until it became an introduction to theology more suited to theological students. It reached its final form, that which we use today, only in 1559 (Latin) and 1560 (French), five years before he died. By then it was five times its original size.
Four complete English translations have been published: the first, in Calvin's lifetime (1561), by Thomas Norton, Cranmer's son-in-law; the next two in the 19th Century, one by John Allen (1813) and one by Henry Beveridge (1845) [online here]. In 1960 an edition translated by Ford Lewis Battles (editor John T. McNeill) appeared. There are also many abridgements.
The work in 4 books roughly follows the Apostles’ Creed.
Book 1 - the Father and his works of creation and providence.
Book 2 - the Son and his work of redemption and the gospel.
Book 3 - the Holy Spirit, the giver of faith.
Book 4 - how Christ helps nurture our faith, that is through the church and the sacraments. In each book, you will find amazing treasures. We do not have time to look at it all so we will consider one thing from each book. I want us to look at
If you want to get to know Calvin's theology, there is no better place to turn than to his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, one of the great works of Calvin's life. He sought to perfect it through most of his adult life. There were five major Latin editions in his lifetime (1536, 1539, 1543, 1550, 1559) and four French ones. The very first edition appeared in 1536 when he was just 26. Even as a small six chapter book, it was recognised as a brilliant achievement. In 1541 he published the first French edition. Originally intended to help the common people understand Christian basics Calvin kept expanding and reshaping it, until it became an introduction to theology more suited to theological students. It reached its final form, that which we use today, only in 1559 (Latin) and 1560 (French), five years before he died. By then it was five times its original size.
Four complete English translations have been published: the first, in Calvin's lifetime (1561), by Thomas Norton, Cranmer's son-in-law; the next two in the 19th Century, one by John Allen (1813) and one by Henry Beveridge (1845) [online here]. In 1960 an edition translated by Ford Lewis Battles (editor John T. McNeill) appeared. There are also many abridgements.
The work in 4 books roughly follows the Apostles’ Creed.
Book 1 - the Father and his works of creation and providence.
Book 2 - the Son and his work of redemption and the gospel.
Book 3 - the Holy Spirit, the giver of faith.
Book 4 - how Christ helps nurture our faith, that is through the church and the sacraments. In each book, you will find amazing treasures. We do not have time to look at it all so we will consider one thing from each book. I want us to look at
1. God's Providence 2. Christ's threefold office 3. Prayer 4. The Lord's Supper
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