John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life [Paperback]

Herman J. Selderhuis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2009

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 bring Calvin 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 in the world in which he lived.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Five hundred years after the birth of John Calvin, the reformer of Geneva continues to loom large as one of the most formative figures in Christian history, and one of the most difficult to know up close and personal. Herman Selderhuis presents here a fresh new biography based on a careful reading of Calvin's letters and other sources. Calvin emerges as neither hero nor villain, but rather as a flawed and forgiven pilgrim who never lost sight of his final destination and inspired many others along the way. A wonderful introduction to a great teacher of the church!" (Timothy George, dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, and general editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture )

"One would think that with all the biographies of John Calvin through the centuries there would be nothing new to say. Think again! Veteran Calvin scholar Herman Selderhuis has followed Calvin himself in going 'back to the sources' and provides a portrait of Calvin drawn exclusively from Calvin's own writings. The result is a fresh and invigorating look at the human person behind all the caricatures, the faithful servant of Christ who saw his life as being lived in the providence of God--a God whose ways he often did not understand. Find here a fully human Calvin whose commitment to the 'pilgrim life' instructs and inspires us still today." (Donald K. McKim, editor of Readings in Calvin's Theology, The Cambridge Companion to John Calvin and Calvin and the Bible )

"This is simply one of the best biographies of Calvin I have seen. Selderhuis has managed admirably to combine keen academic insight with a clear, engaging writing style and many delicious details. For all who are curious about Calvin, Selderhuis's John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life is the place to begin." (Frank A. James III, president, Reformed Theological Seminary )

"A delightful new biography of Calvin by one of Europe's leading Reformation scholars. Selderhuis does not simply rehash the events of Calvin's life; he weaves those events into a story of a man on a geographical, theological and spiritual pilgrimage--or more precisely, a story of a man on a pilgrimage." (Lyle D. Bierma, Jean and Kenneth Baker Professor of Systematic Theology, Calvin Theological Seminary )

Review

"This is simply one of the best biographies of Calvin I have seen. Selderhuis has managed admirably to combine keen academic insight with a clear, engaging writing style and many delicious details. For all who are curious about Calvin, Selderhuis's John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life is the place to begin."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 287 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (January 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830829210
• ISBN-13: 978-0830829217
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neither friend nor foe, June 29, 2009

By 

A. Omelianchuk "www.ochuk.com" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life (Paperback)

With Calvin I have found that it is a bit difficult to encounter the man behind the theology, because so many biographies either lionize or demonize him that few if any are worth reading. Enter Herman J. Selderhuis's new biography John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life whose book is neither laudatory nor disparaging and very, very well-written.

"Life is a steeplechase," begins Selderhuis, "there are dangers everywhere, and God himself, who has put most of the obstacles in our way, watches to see whether we make it over them. Such is John Calvin's view of life." From there Selderhuis exposits the life of Calvin from ten angles:

1. Orphan (1509-1533)
2. Pilgrim (1533-1536)
3. Stranger (1536-1538)
4. Refugee (1538-1541)
5. Preacher (1541-1546)
6. Victim (1546-1549)
7. Widower (1549-1551)
8. Patient (1551-1554)
9. Sailor (1555-1559)
10. Soldier (1559-1564)

Selderhuis's biography brings the stoic looking, long-bearded figure to life in numerous ways. Calvin was emotional and susceptible to anger and grief, but made strenuous efforts to deal patiently with his critics. He labored arduously to have unity with co-leaders, yet would not compromise if he felt the truth was in question. After reading about Calvin's temperament, it is not surprising to see why his Reformed forebearers have embodied many of his personal traits. There is much to revere in Calvin's character as their is much to be repelled by. His passion for God's glory was fanatical, and his dedication to service unimpeachable. Calvin had a great heart for the poor that prophetically called upon the rich to sacrifice for their less fortunate brethren. All in all Calvin was a mover and a shaker in Christian history that defies simple categories and makes reverent adulation or supercilious attacks on his character seem silly. John Calvin was all too human, and would find such praise embarrassing, though he would not be surprised by his critics, if he were alive today.

Much of what we believe and learn in the Protestant church today owes a debt to Calvin, even if one is not a Calvinist. We have much to be thankful for in Herman Selderhuis's fantastic biography, because it successfully approaches the great Reformer as neither a friend nor an enemy. Calvin is fascinating for having the lasting worldwide effect that he has, and he is a testimony to Christ's grace working itself out in the most fallible of human beings. For that, this book greatly helps us crawl into his skin.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not enough superlatives to describe this book., August 3, 2009

By 

PastoralMusings "mslapastor" (Dixie) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life (Paperback)

First of all, I must say that I generally enjoy books that are published by IVP. This one is among the few exceptions. I did not enjoy it, but I greatly enjoyed it. There are not enough superlatives in my vocabulary to describe the pleasure I took in reading this book.

Selderhuis is certainly a good historian. He is also a good writer. History can be dry and dull. This one is not. The writing is well done. The author holds the reader's attention. The research is well done, too.

In the book's 259 pages there is an abundance of material about Calvin. This is a biography of Calvin, so it covers all of his life and all of his ministry.

Honestly, Selderhuis takes a positive look at Calvin, but still shows us his not so good points as well. In fact, at one point, the author speaks of Calvin as petty. He is sometimes described as impatient. I can see no place where Calvin is painted to be better than he actually was. At the same time, Calvin has been absolved of some of the popular charges against him.

Calvin has been accused of many different things. Among those things were charges that he had Servetus burned, sought a theocracy in Geneva, and ruled Geneva as a sort of iron-fisted tyrant. Selderhuis shows that these charges are not true. In the case of Servetus, Calvin had to obey the law in turning him over to the authorities. Calvin did not call for his death, however. In fact, Calvin sought for Servetus to not go to Geneva in the first place. Neither did he rule in Geneva in any fashion other than as pastor. Calvin was not even granted the status of citizen until just a while before he died.

Throughout the book we find the thing that drove Calvin: a passion for truth. Calvin loved God's Word. We may disagree with many things about him, but that is the one thing that was characteristic of his life. After having been exiled for three years and returning, Calvin began his preaching by expounding the passage immediately following the one he had expounded three years before, continuing his expository sermons and demonstrating his respect for Scripture.

The subtitle of the book is A Pilgrim's Life. Calvin lived his life as a pilgrim in two respects: 1. He was a Christian pilgrim who was on his way to his heavenly home. 2. He was a man who had no home country. He was an exile from France and was no citizen of any other country or city. Calvin is accurately portrayed as a man with no home. Thankfully, he has arrived at his home. Let us hope that Calvin will also find a friendly home in more hearts due to this book.

My only regret is that a five star rating system does not allow me to give ten stars for an exceptional book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good popular biography, January 10, 2012

By 

Anson Cassel Mills (Lake Santeetlah, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: John Calvin: A Pilgrim's Life (Paperback)

Selderhuis has done a good job of presenting a short, popular introduction to the 16th century reformer and his era. In the introduction, the author says he feels "nothing for Calvin either way"; yet without turning the book into a hagiography, Selderhuis is generally positive, placing within proper historical context the attitudes and activities of Calvin for which he has been frequently criticized in subsequent generations.

I enjoyed the book and learned from it. Nevertheless, I had the tinkerer's urge throughout, itching to tidy up the syntax and make different word choices (e.g. "In 1557...he was asked by the council whether or not a new heater should be purchased" [223]). Some of the occasional awkwardness and strained colloquialisms of the work may originate in the translation from the Dutch.