Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life [Paperback]

John Calvin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2004

In this classic devotional, John Calvin urges readers to apply the Christian life in a balanced way to mind, heart, and hand. In style and spirit, this book is much like Augustine's Confessions, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, or Thomas à Kempis's Imitation of Christ.

Originally part of John Calvin's Institutes, the devotional covers themes such as obedience, self-denial, the significance of the cross, and how believers should live their lives today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life has inspired readers around the world for more than four centuries.

Now in paper, this classic devotional will guide you on how to apply biblical principles to everyday life. Originally part of John Calvin's Institutes, the devotional covers themes such as obedience, self-denial, the significance of the cross, and how believers should live their lives today.

Rather than focusing on contemplative other-worldliness, the Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life stresses the importance of a devotedly active Christian life. In style and spirit, it is much like Augustine's Confessions, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, or Thomas à Kempis's Imitation of Christ. Its intense practicality, however, sets it apart, making it easily accessible for anyone seeking to carry out Christian values in everyday life.

The translator, Henry J. Van Andel, competently preserved the colorful language and direct style of which John Calvin was a recognized master.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801065283
• ISBN-13: 978-0801065286
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Calvinist
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Devotionals
  • #42 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Worship & Devotion > Devotionals

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Necessary Apologetic to Today's "Word-Faith" Heresies, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life Devotional Classic (Paperback)

Calvin is the master exegete. Calvin pastors his readers with a glimpse into the eternal purposes of suffering. The author encourages the suffering saint to see that Jesus Christ was the ultimate suffering servant and that our temporal afflictions are sent from God to cause us to rely on Christ and promote obedience, sobriety, righteousness and godliness. The book is a quick, understandable read as it is a distillation of portions of his "Institutes." This work should dispel the false notion that all that interests Calvin is predestination!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, What a Life-Changing Book!, November 22, 2002

By 

C. R Biggs "Biggsman" (Round Hill, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (Hardcover)

How do you review a book such as this one? When I first read this book several years ago, it changed the way I thought and lived the Christian life. Now, rereading it some years later, it reminds me of just how foundational it was in my way of thinking of "the Christian life". Especially in the way it taught me (and others through me who I teach) how important and "normal" is suffering in the true Christian life. It is through suffering God conforms us to the image of Christ.

This is a volume taken from the third volume of 'Calvin's Institutes' and has been incredibly helpful for Christians for over 400 years! One of the things you will find about this book is how extremely easy it is to understand it, as well as practical (in fact it is almost like it was written yesterday). Oftentimes, it is easy to think that a book written originally in the 16th century would be both difficult and impractical! However, this book is biblically crystal clear as well as useful! I have given this book away often and I have only seen growth in those to whom I have given it! May it be a new book for you, or one you buy again for a friend.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Place this little booklet next to your Bible...., September 12, 2003

By 

"regenerated" (Jackson, TN, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (Hardcover)

This section from Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion makes one hungry for more. Modern writers cannot hold a candle to the depth of Christ-knowledge that our older brothers had. Indeed, we are in a time of spiritual declension. But Calvin, Knox, Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, Asahel Nettleton, and others were "meat", whereas almost all of the latest titles available at the local "Christian" bookstore are mere "dessert"- sweet (sounding), but in the end empty, and unable to satisfy. No substance to them. I will say this as politely as possible: Put away your Max Lucado and your "Left Behind" (false eschatology) and get into God's Word, and then go and see how God taught the ancients. These men were not focused on making men "feel" good about themselves. No Arminian lightweights were they. If you read this booklet, and its content does not resonate within your soul, then you will have reason to fear that you have not learned Christ aright. This booklet is required reading for all in my household. Read it and see why.

May I also recommend www.graceonlinelibrary.org