John Calvin

The true story of John Calvin and the Reformation for young readers. When John Calvin was a young boy he was taught many things that weren’t true – but when he discovered the truth about God and Jesus Christ it was a very exciting time for him. It was so exciting he could not keep this amazing truth to himself. God helped John Calvin to teach the truth and he became one of the men who started the Reformation.

The man who caused a stir.

Calvin had ideas on how we could live better lives – particularly how we could live in close harmony with God and each other – but because his ideas were radical, his life was filled with dramatic events and dangers. He was run out of town – and then welcomed back. He was accused of being too harsh – and also too tender hearted. When he explained what the bible meant he was considered too logical and too spiritual! He must have been an amazing man to have caused such a stir! 

The Trailblazer series collects great stories from Christians of the past and delivers them to the young people of today. This gripping and astonishing story from Irene Howat will challenge young readers to seek truth like John Calvin did.

A well–known and long–standing series:

• Over 50 titles
• Great for ages 9 to 14
• Published in 14 languages
• Half a million books sold
• Also available in box sets when one book is not enough! 7 themed box sets, each with 5 books

Each biography follows the trailblazer’s journey to faith, and on to the work that God had planned for them. With lots of dialogue, these engaging stories show how God uses normal individuals to bring about his purpose.

Each book features:

• Thinking Further Topics for each chapter to help readers think about how what they’ve read applies to their life today
• Timeline of important events in the lifetime of each book’s subject

This introduction to the life, leadership, and thought of John Calvin presents the Geneva Reformer in his own words, unedited by the selective biases of hostile---and customarily uninformed---critics. In the process, it gives a fair and honest hearing to one of the most significant shapers of modern culture.

Few today realize that John Calvin led pioneering efforts to decentralize government by calling for checks and balances against the rule of the few or the king. Equally unknown are his efforts to establish a productive social safety-net for immigrants, create educational models that were far ahead of his time, and instill a sense of self-worth in all citizens (regardless of their occupations or class). He was also known for his support of free markets, the rise of private enterprise, and the advancement of publishing and knowledge beyond its medieval confines. The result of his efforts was an explosion of culture and liberty--a story that often is lost or ignored in the rush to offer criticism of the man.

A Heart Promptly Offered presents the basic story of Calvin's life, along with numerous excerpts from his own pen---writings from his letters, commentaries, and sermons. In addition to summarizing the main topics of Calvin's Institutes, it lays out his ground-breaking political theory, which is an unparalleled contribution to human freedom.

In addition to glimpses into his personal life, it also includes much about his friendships, his struggles, and his literary interests. The result is a nontechnical volume that introduces the life, character, and legacy of John Calvin---one of the most significant figures in history.

The three years that Calvin spent in Strasbourg are often considered a simple gap between his two periods in Geneva (1536-1538 and 1541-1564). However, this period has been shown to be extremely fertile for Calvin in literary, theological, and pastoral fields, not forgetting his marriage to Idelette de Bure. It was in Strasbourg that Calvin published the second Latin edition, greatly increased, of his ""Institution,"" and where he wrote the first French version of this summary of the reformed religion. There he lectured on ""Romans,"" replied to Cardinal Sadolet, and wrote his ""Little Treatise on Holy Communion,"" intended to reconcile Protestants. There he became familiar with Martin Bucer's catechetical practice and with the songs of the Strasbourg parishes, which inspired his ""Some Psalms and Canticles put into Song,"" and there he gained the friendship of Philippe Melanchthon and the respect of other Reformers. 264 pages. H ardcover.

This unique book is an introductory guide to the life and theology of John Calvin (1509-64). Calvin's theology has been highly significant as a major expression of Protestant theology. Reformed churches throughout the world appropriate Calvin's theological understandings and find his work provides important insights into Scripture and communicates a vibrant Christian faith. The first part of this book describes events in Calvin's life that helped shape his major work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. The second part follows the flow of the Institutes and provides a narrative exposition of this major work, with numerous quotations of Calvin's own words. This enables readers to hear Calvin's voice as his views are explained. This close reading of Calvin opens the door to further, more thorough Calvin studies. ""A superb primer on the life and thought of John Calvin by one of our finest Reformation scholars. Highly recommended "" --Timothy George Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, General Editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture ""McKim's accessible and lucid presentation of Calvin's life as well as his thought through a summary of the Institutes of the Christian Religion prioritizes the voice of Calvin in a fresh way that provides a solid and useful introduction for any reader."" --Jennifer Powell McNutt, Associate Professor of Theology and History of Christianity, Degree Coordinator of M.A. History of Christianity Program, Chair of Graduate Council, Wheaton College Graduate School ""John Calvin's ideals for theological writing were clarity and brevity. Don McKim's work would have made him proud. In fewer than two hundred pages, McKim gives a rich but accessible biography of Calvin, and an equally inviting summary journey through Calvin's mature theology as found in the 1559 Institutes. It makes a good first exploration of the influential Reformed theologian as well as a ready reference guide."" --Gary Neal Hansen, Associate Professor of Church History, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary Donald K. McKim is a former seminary Dean, Professor of Theology, and Executive Editor for Theology for Westminster John Knox Press. He is the author and editor of a number of books, many focusing on John Calvin and the Reformed theological tradition. He is an Honorably Retired minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Written specifically for younger children, this biography focuses on Calvin's youth, his time at the university, and the circumstances of his conversation. Learn about his early leadership of the Protestants in France, and his flight to Basel, Strassburg, and Geneva when King Francis I began executing Protestants. A warm and affectionate picture of the leader of the second generation of the Protestant Reformation, this book is perfect for independent reading or reading aloud. 159 pages, softcover. Ages 9-12.

John Calvin was one of the most important leaders of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. In this revision of his major biography, T. H. L. Parker explores Calvin's achievement against the backdrop of the turbulent times in which he lived. With clear and concise explanations of Calvin's theology, analyses of his major works, and insights into his preaching, this definitive biography brings this crucially important reformer and his world to life for readers.

One of western civilization's most influential men, Calvin considered himself a pilgrim and pastor first. This book introduces his essential life and thought to modern readers.

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 bringCalvin 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 inthe world in which he lived.

An international array of major Calvin scholars considers aspects of Calvin's theological thought and influence. Historians as well as theologians present the major themes in his writings in addition to discussing the ways in which his thought spread and has increasing importance today.

Many would argue that a true understanding of contemporary Christian thought is impossible without a basic understanding of Calvin's contributions. William Stacy Johnson, a leading Presbyterian theologian, offers this clear and fundamental study of Calvin's insights as a primer for those with little or no knowledge of his work.

This volume, enhanced with questions for discussion and a handy glossary, is sure to be an invaluable resource for those who seek an accessible way into a deeper understanding of Calvin's impact on the development of Christian faith and on society.

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Through the nearly 450 years since his death, John Calvin has been portrayed by his critics - Protestant as well as Catholic - as a cold, ruthless fanatic. This distorted characterization, for the most part, remains today. What was this man really like? An unfeeling, gloomy monster or a saint untouched by the common problems which beset lesser men? The author examines Calvin's personal correspondence and reveals him as a man capable of human mistakes and weaknesses, and yet, a deeply dedicated, sensitive individual undeserving of the years of vilification. This book, available here in English, for the first time in over 35 years, considers John Calvin from a personal standpoint. The excellent preface by Calvin-scholar John T. McNeill, carefully noted resources, brevity, readability, and human interest make this a biography for scholars and laymen alike.

Historians have credited--or blamed--Calvinism for many developments in the modern world, including capitalism, modern science, secularization, democracy, individualism, and unitarianism. These same historians, however, have largely ignored John Calvin the man. When people consider him at all, they tend to view him as little more than the joyless tyrant of Geneva who created an abstract theology as forbidding as himself. This volume, written by the eminent historian William J. Bouwsma, who has devoted his career to exploring the larger patterns of early modern European history, seeks to redress these common misconceptions of Calvin by placing him back in the proper historical context of his time. Eloquently depicting Calvin's life as a French exile, a humanist in the tradition of Erasmus, and a man unusually sensitive to the complexities and contradictions of later Renaissance culture, Bouwsma reveals a surprisingly human, plausible, ecumenical, and often sympathetic Calvin. John Calvin offers a brilliant reassessment not only of Calvin but also of the Reformation and its relationship to the movements of the Renaissance.

The first biography of John Calvin since 1975 and the only life of the great reformer to analyse his impact on subsequent generations of theologians, politicians, economists and philosophers. This biography is theologically unbiased and is written as much for historians and general readers as for those interested in Calvin the Church reformer.

John Calvin (1509-1564) was one of the main Protestant Reformers of the sixteenth century. His thought spread worldwide, and today he is still looked to for theological insights and as a guide to Christian faith by millions of people. In this book, one of the world's leading Calvin scholars, Willem van 't Spijker, provides a compact guide to Calvin's life and the main elements of his thought. Van 't Spijker bases this work on the best contemporary scholarship. By tracing Calvin's influence, he shows both the development of Calvin's thought and the ways in which it was important in his time and later. This book will be an excellent introduction to Calvin's life and thought for both beginning students and those already acquainted with Calvin's work.

John Calvin (1509-64) influence reaches from the Reformation to Karl Barth and beyond. Outstanding as biblical scholar, preacher and practical Church reformer, Calvin intended all his work to serve the Word of God. Although couched in 16th century terms, his theology drew on the wealth of previous Christian thought and continues to be relevant to the situation of the Church today.This book is a comprehensive introduction to the whole range of Calvin's theology. Concentrating on Calvin's major work The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Parker explains it's relevance to Christians of all times. This volume will give readers a full and serious sense of Calvin both as a Christian and as a thinker.

Stemming from the Desiring God 2009 National Conference, Julius Kim, Douglas Wilson, Marvin Olasky, Mark Talbot, Sam Storms, and John Piper invite us to sit with Calvin in the theater of God, marveling at his glory.

Honoring the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Christopher Elwood offers an insightful and accessible overview of John Calvin's theological ideas within their historical context. A Brief Introduction to John Calvin discusses the trials and tribulations Calvin encountered as he ministered and taught in Geneva, paying special attention to the theological controversies associated with the Trinity and predestination. In this concise introduction, Elwood explores the development of Calvinism and its influence in today's world.

Drawing heavily on Calvin’s letters, commentaries, the Institutes, and other lesser-known writings, Horton explores the riches of Calvin’s piety and its significance for contemporary Christian living.