Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536 Edition [Paperback]

Mr. John Calvin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 1995

John Calvin was just twenty-seven years old when the first edition of his Institutes was published in Basel in 1536. Calvin's “little book” — as he affectionately called it — grew in size throughout the rest of his life; eventually, this early, shorter version evolved into what is now known as the Institutes, the 1559 edition, which Calvin considered the authoritative form of his thought for posterity. / Renowned Calvin scholar Ford Lewis Battles translated the 1536 Institutes in 1975, after completing his masterful translation of the 1559 Institutes. This revised edition of Battles's translation will interest general readers who wish to better understand the earliest expression of Calvin's theology, as well as scholars who wish to pursue further research. In addition to Calvin's own classic text, the book's four appendices make available in English four significant Reformed texts, including a new translation of Calvin's preface to Olivétan's 1535 French Bible. Five indices include an index of biblical references and a comparative table of the 1536 and 1559 Institutes. Numerous citations in the endnotes from the writings of Calvin's predecessors and contemporaries help place the text in its historical context.

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Language Notes

Text: English, Latin (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

(1509-1564) One of the most influential reformers, his work was of significance throughout Europe and beyond. John Calvin was born in Noyon, France on July 10, 1509. His father was the secretary and attorney for the bishopric of Noyon. Calvin was a brilliant scholar and studied law in Paris, Orleans and Bourges. After what he called a "sudden conversion" at the age of 23, Calvin became a fervent Christian and scholar of the Scripture. Calvin did not immediately break with the Roman Catholic Church, but rather worked toward its reform. His pleas for reform soon brought upon him the hatred of the Catholic Church, and in time he was banished from Paris. Calvin fled to Switzerland, broke with the Catholic Church, and joined with the reformers. In 1536 he published his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, which was a systematic presentation of the Protestant position. In 1559 he founded what later became the University of Geneva. Here he taught his beliefs to thousands of students who in turn carried "Calvinism" back to their homelands throughout Europe. John Calvin died in Geneva, Switzerland on May 27, 1564.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (August 9, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802841678
• ISBN-13: 978-0802841674
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ICR by Calvin, March 25, 2010

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This review is from: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536 Edition (Paperback)

I love this book. I have been a Christian for close to 25 years and this book has helped me grow in my faith. In my opinion it should be required reading for all Christians because it covers a lot of basic doctrinal stances. The book is a little hard to get started in because of the older language type, but if you have a handy pocket dictionary nearby you can look some of the words up. It is taking me a while to go through it because Calvin cites multiple scripture verses to look up on each of his points, which I have been looking each one up because it both helps me understand where he is coming from and it also reinforces my faith.

I love this book! It is awesome and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, wants to sturdy their foundation in Christianity and for those seeking to be an apologist.