John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life

Herman J. Selderhuis is professor of church history and church polity at the Theological University Apeldoorn (Netherlands) and director of the University's Institute for Reformation Research. He is a leading Reformation historian and author of several books, including Calvin's Theology of the Psalms.

Herman J. Selderhuis is professor for church history and church polity at the Theological University Apeldoorn (Netherlands) and director of the university's Institute for Reformation Research. He is a leading Reformation historian and author of several books, including Calvin's Theology of the Psalms.

There are many biographies of John Calvin, the theologian--some villifying him and others extolling his virtues--but few that reveal John Calvin, the man.

Professor and renowned Reformation historian Herman Selderhuis has written this book to bring Calvin near to the reader, showing him as a man who had an impressive impact on the development of the Western world, but who was first of all a believer struggling with God and with the way God governed both the world and his own life.

Selderhuis draws on Calvin's own publications and commentary on the biblical figures with whom he strongly identified to describe his theology in the context of his personal development. Throughout we see a person who found himself alone at many of the decisive moments of his life--a fact that echoed through Calvin's subsequent sermons and commentaries. Selderhuis's unique and compelling look at John Calvin, with all of his merits and foibles, ultimately discloses a man who could not find himself at home in the world in which he lived.

"This new and engagingly written interpretation of Calvin by a major scholar will be very useful for jaded readers who are willing to give Calvin another chance--and rediscover the very human, very realy sixteenth-century person."

-- Elsie McKee, Interpretation, January 2011

"The genius of this book lies not, admittedly, in its revelation of novel biographical facts about Calvin but in the humanity it manages to impart to a subject who, despite frequent scrutiny, has somehow remained so ethereal for several centuries."

-- Aaron Denlinger, Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology

"A close and intimate look at the reformer of Geneva whose thoughts are shown to be more complex and feelings even richer than may seem on the surface. Any clear writing that reintroduces and stimulates interest in the life and thought of this great reformer is to be greatly appreciated."

-- Sung-Sup Kim, Koinonia

"A fascinating book, easy to read and extremely interesting. Once having dipped into it, one finds the book hard to lay aside. This is an attractive feature and recommends it for future reading. Anyone, including high school students with an interest in their heritage, will find it worthwhile."

-- Herman Hanko, Protestant Reformed Theological Journal, April 2010

"Selderhuis has written a beautiful biography. One of the major contemporary interpreters of Calvin's life and thought, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this refreshingly readable, entertaining, informative biography. Highly recommended."

-- D.M. Whitford, Choice, July 2009

"Five hundred years after the birth of John Calvin, it is appropriate to have an excellent new biography on his life. Too often Calvin books relate only to his theology without any discussion of the man himself. The book explores all facets of Calvin's life."

-- JD, Libraries Alive, Spring 2010

"Selderhuis has uncovered numerous facts not found in other biographies about the Reformer's life and thought."

-- David B. Calhoun, Presbyterion: Covenant Seminary Review

"In the midst of the proliferation of new titles on Calvin, this new biography stands out as a gem. Selderhuis exhibits a wealth of knowledge of the sources on Calvin's life and locates Calvin squarely within the setting of the sixteenth-century Reformation."

-- Cornelis P. Venema, Mid-America Journal of Theology, 2009

"Among many, many publications about Calvin in this 500th anniversary of his birth, this one stands out for its being based largely on Calvin's letters and other writings--Calvin himself having said that we learn most about people from their letters."

-- The Presbyterian Outlook, November 9, 2009

"Selderhuis has done us a great service by producing a well-written biogrpahy of the Reformer of Geneva, John Calvin. I would heartily recommend Selderhuis's biography to all adult believers, and not simply to Calvinists."

-- Ben Westerveld, New Horizons, October 2009