Book Review: Institutes of the Christian Religion

Institutes of the Christian Religion. By John Calvin. In “The Library of Christian Classics.” Vols. 20,21. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1960.

I just finished reading through Calvin’s Institutes, all 1521 pages! It took the entire year! I had read large portions before during my theological education, but had yet to read the whole work.

A blog is the not the place to provide a fitting review of this classic work of theology, however I would like to relay a few of my thoughts. First, I believe it is a tragedy that many people only know Calvin to the degree of what they have heard other people say about him! Sad to say, the negative, harsh reaction to the theology that bears his name, Calvinism, is often grounded in emotion and therefore misrepresents not only Calvin but also Calvinism. One may be pleasantly surprised if Calvin were known in his own words - in their own context - and not the hearsay of those who oppose him!

Second, when one considers that the first draft of the Institutes appeared when Calvin was 27, it truly reveals the incredible nature of this work and the keen mind behind it. The Institutes went through several more drafts, growing larger and larger, but the basic theology and starting point was there from the beginning.

Third, you simply cannot read through this work without becoming aware that Calvin had a deep allegiance to the Scripture, a profound knowledge of the Early Church Fathers, and a pastoral heart. He wrote not from a desire to promote a theological system, but rather with a heart to guide people in the truth! It is also helpful to understand the man and this work when one realizes that the first edition was addressed to King Francis I on behalf of the French Protestants who were being heavily persecuted!

The Institutes is divided into four books; The Knowledge of God the Creator, The Knowledge of God the Redeemer, The Way in Which We Receive the Grace of Christ, and The External Means or Aids by Which God Invites Us Into the Society of Christ and Holds Us There. The first three were by far the most encouraging and insightful for me. Book Four is more of a refutation of Catholicism, which is helpful but not very interesting.

All in all however, I enjoyed reading it. I don’t agree with everything Calvin says, especially when it comes to infant baptism! But it is a great resource to study theology because Calvin covers all major doctrines (even the most controversial ones!), constantly provides Scripture for his arguments, counters opposing arguments, and makes the Early Fathers accessible, especially Augustine. It is quite a task to work through, but it is a worthy, profitable read. If you are interested in reading through The Institutes in a year, you can find a plan here.

Have fun!