John Calvin is one of the greatest theologians of the Reformation. He was a reformer in Geneva Switzerland during the protestant reformation. Calvin is the main person in the development of Calvinism. Calvinism consists of Total Depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and Preservation of the Saints. The institutes of the Christian religion is fundamentally the first reformed systematic theology. Calvin divides the institutes of the Christian religion into four major sections, "The Knowledge of God the Creator," "The Knowledge God the Redeemer in Jesus Christ," "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 Therein."

The first section of the institutes is on the knowledge of God. In this section, Calvin discusses God, Scripture, and mans knowledge of God and himself. The second section of the institutes is on what it is to know God the Redeemer in Christ. In this section Calvin explains the doctrine of the fall, the Law, the incarnation, and the atonement. The third section of the institutes is about the way in which we receive the grace of Christ. In this section Calvin discusses faith, justification and the life of the Christian. Finally, the fourth section of the institutes is about the means that God uses to invite us into his church. In this section Calvin explains subjects related the church, the sacraments, and the civil magistrate.

In Calvins Institutes he gives well thought out arguments for his theology. He handles everything thoroughly and extensively. Calvins arguments for the Trinity and predestination, for example are attentive and thoughtful, thorough studies of the topics. Even when you disagree with Calvin on a certain aspect of his theology you cannot avoid being challenged to reconsider your own. Calvin gets out all of his arguments, and answers almost every objection to them. I found that when Calvin disagreed with a doctrine I believed, it was challenging and beneficial to examine my beliefs since he is very thorough.

The institutes of the Christian religion are one of the most important theological works ever written. I really enjoyed this book and found Calvins theology to be inspiring and insightful. I would recommend the institutes to anyone who is looking to be challenged in their faith and grow closer in their relationship with God. Also, I would say that the Institutes deserves praise for its devotional quality as well.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

An awesome collection of books that every christian should read.

As a Christian we all should have John Calvin's Institutes in our library, or at least have read through it at least once. This thought provoking book makes you go back into scripture and helps understand some of the deeper issues in scripture. The Henry Beveridge translation is a good one, simple yet still exciting for the academic reader or casual reader who wants to get deeper into theological studies.

This book is one of those books where, if you love reading and love books, you appreciate the quality of the paper, the solid binding of the pages together, the print used and the content. A great resource of the mind and thinking of John Calvin, placed in a very well done book.

This is an important book that should be in every Christian's library.