Books

My Top 5 Books on Calvin

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

There’s no better entry point into Calvin’s teaching than this richly edifying work by the man himself. It is a summary of the Christian faith written for pastors (many of whom were risking their lives).

* * *

John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey

Hot off the press, this very readable book serves as an ideal introduction to Calvin’s life and emphases.

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John Calvin: A Biography by T. H. L. Parker

For decades, this volume has been considered the standard introduction to Calvin.

* * *

The Unaccommodated Calvin by Richard A. Muller

Muller’s academic treatment places Calvin in his historical context and challenges various misconceptions and rabbit trails in 20th-century Calvin scholarship.

* * *

Calvin, Participation, and the Gift by J. Todd Billings

Billings’s award-winning exploration of Calvin’s emphasis on union with Christ includes up-to-date engagement with recent criticisms of Calvin’s doctrine of grace.

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Related Elsewhere:

Previous Top 5 lists have featured neglected doctrines, spiritual memoirs, marriage, Lent, fiction books for the soul, managing your money, devotionals, how character shapes belief, food, Atheism, China, Presidents, World Christianity, Ancient-Future Faith, the Civil Rights Era, Social Justice, Church History, Popular Culture, the Civil War, Apologetics, Atheism, and Sex.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Cuba for Christ—Ahora!

Review

Wings for the Single Person

A More Civilized Christian Right

Books Uncommon and Offbeat

Is The Gay Marriage Debate Over?

Evangelicals on the Newburyport Trail

Hard Times

The Clash of Stereotypes

To Kill or to Love—That Was the Question

News

Where Jerusalem and Mecca Meet

Editorial

Not One Sparrow

Back to Cuba

More Freedom But Not Free

Review

CDs on The List

Review

Blood and Desperation

Does Global Christianity Equal American Christianity?

Renewed Focus and Vision

Review

Divine Devolution

Readers Write

A Whole Good World Outside

When the War Never Ends

Review

Voiceless Women

'Honor Thy Father' for Grownups

What to Do about Unbiblical Unions

News

Go Figure

News

Quotation Marks

News

Passages

News

Less Edgy Conferences

News

News Briefs: July 01, 2009

News

Radicals Rejected

Q & A: Robert A. Schuller

News

Recession Hits Refugees

News

Family Ties

News

After George Tiller's Death

News

Martyrs Killed by Conspiracy

View issue

Our Latest

News

Charlie Kirk Aims to Expand Turning Point USA to Evangelical Campuses

But not all Christian campuses have embraced the conservative group.

News

Sarah Jakes Roberts Evolves T. D. Jakes’s Women’s Conference

At a record-setting event this fall, 40,000 followers listened to her preach about spiritual breakthrough and surrender.

Being Human

Walking the Camino de Santiago with Barrett Harkins

The missionary to pilgrims shares wisdom from the trail.

News

The Evangelical Voters Who Changed Their Minds

Amid a hyperpartisan electorate, a minority plan to vote differently than they did in 2016 and 2020.

News

Meet the Evangelical Expats Staying in Lebanon

Shout to the Lord in a Foreign Language

Worshiping God with words we don’t understand may seem strange. But I consider it a spiritual practice.

Jesus Is Still Right About Persecution

Nine truths believers need to understand to pray well for the suffering body of Christ.

The Bulletin

Electioneering

The Bulletin discusses the final presidential campaign push, churches in the age of screens, and the UN’s work in Gaza.

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