Ten Things You Should Know About the Theology of John Calvin
Who was John Calvin, and why was he important for the Reformation? This article answers this question by highlighting ten things you should know about his theology.
Who was John Calvin, and why was he important for the Reformation? This article answers this question by highlighting ten things you should know about his theology.
Who was John Calvin, and why was he important for the Reformation? This article explains by looking at ten things you need to know about his life and theology.
Some have argued that the Reformers had a poorly developed missiology. This article responds by explaining that the Reformers in fact recovered the Great Commission. To show this, it reviews the missiology of John Calvin.
This article addresses several questions about the Reformers, such as how they viewed each other, did John Calvin and Martin Luther ever meet in person, and Luther's apparent anti-Semitism.
This article offers three principles of theological writing that pastors and theologians can glean from John Calvin: write with brevity, clarity, and a single purpose.
This article describes the friendship of William Farel and John Calvin, along with their reforming work in Geneva.
Diaconal work is always associated with caring for the poor. This article argues that this should not be the case. Deacons are called to care for the non-poor also. If diaconal work is seen as Christ’s way of administering mercy, then the work should go beyond the poor. In this article the author looks at the example of John Calvin in Geneva, where there was the fund to care for other needs or people.
This article highlights the pastoral care of John Calvin.
This article examines the nature of the relationship between John Calvin and John Knox, showing how they viewed one another.
What does it mean that God created man is his own image? John Calvin defining the image of God in man in both the narrower and broader sense. He also showed how the fall impacted the image of God in man. This article explains these concept from Calvin’s point of view.
To John Calvin, creation is the theatre of the glory of God. Creation is the stage for the revelation of God’s program of salvation for his church.
How did the doctrine of the perseverence of the saints develop in the way it is understood and applied in the life of the church? This article gives an overview of the history of this doctrine, starting with the important contribution of Augustine. It continues with how Thomas Aquinas saw perseverance as a necessary gift of God, but believers cannot be certain it was given to them.
This article gives a general introduction into how to approach a study of John Calvin and his significance in the context of the sixteenth century Reformation.
The purpose of this article is to give a better understanding of John Calvin and his work by examining his interpretation of the Reformation.
This article places the life and work of John Calvin within its historical context. Reid believes that to understand the sixteenth-century Reformation, one must always keep in mind the radical and revolutionary character of Calvin's teaching, which made the Reformation such a dynamic movement.
This article begins by discussing the term "Calvinism." It offers a brief overview of the commitment of John Calvin to proclaim the glory of God, in the midst of a life of great suffering. Then it discusses the doctrine of total depravity.
This article views Calvinism as a theology that faithfully represents the teaching of the Bible. Further, the author foresees the future of this teaching as one that will lead to a global revival of Christianity. The rest of the article explains in detail the reasons why this author is so positive about the future of the teaching of John Calvin.
This article, an excerpt from John Calvin's Institutes, reminds us that human beings are spiritually dead until they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
Convinced that God commands how he wants to be worshipped, John Calvin developed a liturgy that incorporated preaching of the word, prayer, administration of the sacraments, almsgiving, and singing.
This article documents the struggle of John Calvin with the Nicodemites.
Helm argues in this paper that John Calvin's theology and the covenant theology of the Westminster Confession of Faith are in essential doctrinal agreement. He describes what he understands covenant theology to be and what Calvin's conception was of the relationship between Adam and the human race, and compares that with Calvin's English successors.
Does John Calvin differ from his successors on the matter of the extent of the atonement?
Did the Calvinists really understand well the teaching of John Calvin, or did they distort it? This article compares Calvin with his successors, especially the Reformed Orthodox of the seventeenth century, on the area of soteriology.
This article addresses the notion of soul sleep after death, and what John Calvin had to say about it. He said that the soul is immortal, and after death waits consciously for the resurrection.
This is a brief confession of faith by John Calvin. Some elements include confession of God as the creator of all things, his providence and sovereignty, the sinfulness of man, and total depravity.
What is the importance of the relationship between the church and the truth? The article is based on the teaching of John Calvin that one of the marks of a true church is the faithful proclamation of the Word.
This article is an excerpt from John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, dealing with the Christian philosophy of self-denial.
This article is an account of the marriage of John Calvin to Idelette de Bure, a lady who had lost her first husband to a plague. The article details how she spent the rest of her life in the ministry with Calvin, noting her instrumentality in his ministry, in Strasburg and then later in Geneva.
This article presents John Calvin's understanding of the role of the pastor. It also points out that the pastor may not stand in the way of Christ alone having the dominion in his church.
John Calvin succinctly defined Christian piety as "that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces." Included in his many discussions on piety are terms such as faith, fear, reverence, love, and knowledge. The central themes of Calvin's piety were the honouring of God and being thankful to him. This article surveys Calvin's writings on piety and seeks to understand his view on the topic.
This article gives some commentary by John Calvin on how Christ was revealed in the old dispensation and then in the new.
Preaching characterized most of John Calvin’s work in Geneva. This article looks at his style and view of preaching.
This article explains the role John Calvin played in the Reformation in Geneva.
Why did John Calvin once say that justification is the hinge on which religion turns? This article explain Calvin’s view on justification in contrast to the Roman Catholic’s teaching.
This article is a biography on John Calvin with focus on his pastoral and teaching ministry.
This article is an argument in defence of proof-texting. Historically, it has served a useful function as a sign of disciplinary symbiosis among theology and exegesis. The authors believe that a renewed practice of proof-texting may serve as a sign of lively interaction between biblical commentary and Christian doctrine.
How do we move from the Bible to formulating theology? This article believes that a study of good examples may help to prevent the exercise from becoming purely theoretical. The author uses John Calvin to present an example of how one person made such a move. In particular he uses Calvin’s implicit approach to church leadership and in particular church government. This article wants to understand how Calvin moved from the Bible to practice and then compares it to contemporary models.
This article discusses the suffering of John Calvin, and what Calvin himself had to say about suffering.
This article, a chapter from an early 20th century book on John Calvin, gives an explanation for Calvin's involvement in the trial and execution of Michael Servetus.
This article provides a biography of the life of John Calvin.
In this chapter Haykin reveals John Calvin's approach to Scripture and theology that was clearly pro-missions and pro-evangelism. While Calvin was concerned more directly with purifying the church than initiating a worldwide missions movement, his interpretation of the Bible was consistent with a free proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of the lost.
This essay is concerned with R. C. Sproul's rendering of the positions of Martin Luther and John Calvin against Roman Catholic opponents. It reflects on Sproul's use of their exposition of justification by faith. The author believes that Sproul's usage is lacking.
Chapter 1 is a study of the significance of John Calvin’s understanding of the doctrine of providence. In the second part of the chapter, Hart considers the implications for a Christian approach to history, and the limits in seeking meaning in history.
This chapter is an exploration of the significance of the Mosaic covenant. Chapter 1 is a historical-theological comparison of two important Reformed theologians, John Calvin and Herman Witsius. Witsius is known for his Economy of the Covenants between God and Man (1677).
The article discusses John Calvin's teaching on the Lord's Supper, comparing it to the doctrines of other institutions and theologians such as that of the Roman Catholic, Luther, and Zwingli. The main issue of contention discussed concerns the presence of the body of Christ in the bread and wine.
Did the theological heirs of John Calvin deviate from their heritage? Was Calvin’s dynamic biblical theology lost by his successors? Was the philosophical methodology of Aristotle introduced into Reformed theology by Theodore Beza and Zacharias Ursinus? This chapter considers these criticisms as they were applied in particular to the tradition of the Westminster Standards. T. F.
The concern of Chapter 1 is the spread of John Calvin’s theology in the world. It provides a survey of Calvin’s and his successors’ influence on the development of modern culture.
Gaffin reflects in Chapter 11 on John Calvin’s view of justification and union with Christ in Book 3 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Gaffin gives a brief overview of the treatment of justification in successive editions of the Institutes from 1536 to 1559. Next, he considers what Calvin mean by the “double grace” (duplex gratia) that believers receive by union with Christ.
In the Introduction John Calvin is considered as one who made one of his most enduring contributions as he paved the way for modern, market-based business practices. The authors argue that Calvin both witnessed and contributed to a change in the world’s economy.
For John Calvin the subjects of money, wealth, and business are all created entities. Money is a creation, and as such it should not be worshipped, overemphasized, or ignored. Like the rest of creation, it has a place and is useful. In the section of Chapter 1 presented here, the creaturely character of the economy is considered.
Why is John Calvin important today? What did he teach and does that encourage remembrance in the church of Jesus Christ? Beeke identifies twelve roles of Calvin that make him relevant for the church today: his role as educator, socio-theologian, evangelist, pastor, pietist, commentator, churchman, trinitarian, preacher, Christian, theologian, and exegete.
In Chapter 1 the author wants to provide insight into the historical and theological context of John Calvin’s Institutes. Beach reflects on Calvin’s prefatory address to King Francis I of France and his defence of the Protestant faith against cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto, Bishop of Carpentras in southern France. He also provides a sketch of Calvin’s life and the nature of the Institutes.
Is believing in predestination a hindrance to evangelism? Because he taught and believed in predestination, John Calvin has been accused of lack of enthusiasm for evangelism and mission work. To answer this accusation this article looks at Calvin's teaching on evangelism and mission work and how they relate to predestination
How did John Calvin understand the authority of Scripture? Can he be included in modern views on inerrancy? After giving a short description of Calvin's view of the inspiration of Scripture, the author gives a bibliography on literature that is helpful for further research in this area.
What is the relation between faith and reason? Through giving an answer to this and other questions, Oliphint wants to provide a biblical foundation for apologetics. A discussion of John Calvin’s understanding of the twofold knowledge of God (Lat. duplex cognitio Dei) and awareness of divinity (Lat.
This paper is an examination of John Calvin's understanding of spiritual gifts, in the light of the impact of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement.
This volume is an anthology of writings representing a high view of Scripture and reflecting the historic Reformed theological and confessional tradition. It offers a selection of texts on the doctrine of Scripture.
What was the practice of the Reformers with regard to the mission of the church in the world? Is it true that Martin Luther and John Calvin had no concern for the mission of the church? Gustav Warneck speaks of a "strange silence" of the Reformers in this regard. It is the view of Chaney that Luther was not blind to the missionary call of the church. Read the article for more.
Did John Calvin uphold the doctrine of inerrancy? To answer this question this article turns to Calvin's exposition of 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:20. Then it comes to summarize Calvin's view on inerrancy.
This article gives the biography of Idelette de Bure, the wife of John Calvin.
Was Geneva a theocracy and was John Calvin its pope? To answer this question this article looks at the involvement of John Calvin in Geneva and in the execution of Servetus.
Nicole presents a discussion of John Calvin's doctrine of Scripture. The larger part of the essay is a bibliographical appendix.