Customer Reviews

Calvins Commentaries (22 Volume Set)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A great commentary. Calvin does his own exegesis of the original text; allowing him to bring out a unique and delightful interpretation of the scriptures. Each section of scripture begins with his translation of the text, and then is expounded upon, point-by-point. This is a great and enlightening (and cheap may I add) addition to any Christians library. Calvin's efforts to finish a complete commentary of the bible were never achieved (due to his death I believe). So, the following books have no commentaries to them:

Judges, Ruth, 1& 2 Samuel, 1& 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, 2 & 3 John, and Revelation.

Also, in regards to this commentary, Calvin does a two volume Harmony of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and has a separate commentary for the gospel of John. He also does a two volume Harmony of the Law (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The entire set contains a total of 22 volumes, and the binding and pages of each volume are of good quality. All in all, this is a great commentary, something you can pass down to generations to come. IF... you're looking to get the theology of Calvin, then my friend, you're barking up the wrong tree, get Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion (BKA Calvin's Institutes).

Much has been written about the theology of John Calvin. For most, you either love him or hate him. Regardless of whether or not you love or hate him, he is a force to be reckoned with. Calvin was one of the greatest biblical scholars that ever lived. He had an incredible command of the Scriptures in that he did not base his interpretations on one or two passages, but sought to integrate all of the Scriptures' teaching. His commentaries reflect this well as Calvin shows that he is able to combine solid exegesis with pastoral insight (something lacking in many commentaries today). Even Jacob Arminius said: After the reading of Scripture, which I strenuously inculcate, and more than any other ... I recommend that the Commentaries of Calvin be read ... For I affirm that in the interpretation of the Scriptures Calvin is incomparable, and that his Commentaries are more to be valued than anything that is handed down to us in the writings of the Fathers -- so much that I concede to him a certain spirit of prophecy in which he stands distinguished above others, above most, indeed, above all." Calvin's comments are still relevant for Christians today, and serve as an excellent resource for pastors and teachers in the church.

This set would have had 5 stars if it had a better translation. This one is slightly out-dated and poorly edited in some places. If you are on a budget, get this set (I have them on my shelf and use them regularly!). However, if you can afford to go higher with the price, get the paperback series from Eerdmans; It has a higher quality of translation. (However, you will have to be patient with the Eerdmans set as only the NT and a few volumes from the OT are currently available).

Pastors should also look at Calvin's sermons (also available from Amazon) to see a great example of how one can explain and apply the great truths of the Bible to the people of God in their own day and age.

What a brilliant mind! I have been greatly edified by this godly man and his devotion to the exposition of the scriptures. Oh that we had more scholars of his calibur today.
Oh! And I use these commentaries daily in my bible study.

Since purchasing this set, I find myself going to Calvin most often for understanding of difficult passages. I have Henry, Poole, and Gill on the whole Bible, and many individual volumes, but now go to Calvin first.

The reformers such as Luther and Calvin believed that the scriptures were perspicuous - not obscure; this comes through in these commentaries.

This set may be found for much less than is listed above.

. . .but there's no option for that -- and I'm not a Calvinist!

Regardless of one's religious views, Calvin's Commentaries on Scripture are a fabulous resource for exegetical biblical study. While I would never rely on them all by themselves, I have used them, in addition to non-Calvinist Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish texts in my own exegetical work.

Calvin was the first truly great scholar of the Reformation (and hence, of Protestant Christianity). He knew the Scriptures. He knew Church History. He exegeted and systematized and defended and justified and did so in a manner which made Protestantism, especially Reform Protestantism, a sensible and acceptable alternative to Catholic Christianity. In effect, unlike Luther who tried to reform the established Church itself, Calvin set up a new church to replace the old. (I personally don't think this was such a good thing. . .)

Again, while disagreeing with many of Calvin's conclusions, I do not, and cannot deny the breadth of his scholarship, and hence, its enduring usefulness.

I think others have reviewed these commentaries much like I would, but just to let you know, you can get it for about $200.00 at christianbook.com

This is truly a great set by one of the greatest minds in Christendom. I have newer commentaries, but I all ways find myself going back to this set. It is a good balance of application and exegesis. For this price you can not go wrong. It does not matter if you hold to all the points that Calvin teaches, you will find yourself being blessed by a man whose heart is running after God.

This is perhaps one of, if not, the greatest commentary written after the Reformation. Calvin offers a wealth of detail on each verse with no explaining away, no spin, and a deep understanding of the many views and controversies in scripture. This level of articulation and deep understanding of scripture has not likely been surpassed since his time. Calvin was a model theologian (post Pentacost) that the Puritans even aspired to duplicate, and such is evident in his rich and godly perspective.

I strongly recommend this commentary to every Christian as a companion in daily devotional Bible studies. I also recommend this commentary to those interested in learning about Christian truths.

They were delivered a few weeks before the schedule date (US to UK) and were well packaged. Thank you.

Contrary to the esteemed view most Protestants have of John Calvin, his work in these volumes suffers from what we call "diarrhea of the pen." Mr. Calvin clearly had an original mind (whether such was rooted in truth is another matter) but his sheltered experience in reality is demonstrated in this work. It is telling that, in contrast with Mr. Calvin's protracted discourses, God's own Son could instruct or settle disputes with merely a word or sentence and what God simply recorded as fact Mr. Calvin, rather, writes volumes. Subsequently, these verbose additions to God's revelation predisposes the argument that God's word is insufficient in the revelation of truth or in its instruction in righteousness and causes the reader to question whether Mr. Calvin's ideas originate in God or merely in man.
I am certain there will be many who will disagree with me, but we are not of "Apollos, nor Cephas, nor Luther, nor Calvin" but we are all of Christ and His alone.