John Calvin has become a foundational figure for me theologically. I mean, it makes sense with the whole “Reformedish” thing, but it’s surprising to find out how many Reformed or Calvinist types there are out there who’ve never really spent time with the man’s works. In any case, I’ve noticed over the last few months that I tend to post little sections of his works on a fairly regular basis. That being the case, I’ve decided to gather all of my Calvin posts on one page for easy reference.
I’m also taking this opportunity to formalize my interactions into a little project in which I select and comment on a passage in either the Institutes or the commentaries every week. There are a number of reasons for this, but I’ll list 4.
- Calvin’s works are easy enough to reference and they cover a broad theological terrain which makes him ideal to engage with regularly.
- This will be obvious to most, but I would like to point out that I am not a Calvin expert, but an amateur looking to grow by engagement with one of greats of Protestant thought. I read somewhere that it is wise for young theologians to pick one classic theologian and read everything they’ve ever written, not in order to agree with everything they’ve ever said, but simply to learn. I probably won’t read everything Calvin ever wrote because, well, I’m not getting a Ph.D. here. It is just a blog. Still, Calvin is one of those guys that sustained attention to seems to repay the effort.
- Not enough people know what Calvin taught beyond the 5 points (which Calvin probably didn’t teach, even though he probably agreed with them). This is my little way of introducing people to a Calvin beyond the caricature.
- I’ve been looking for a long-term project.
These ‘Calvin Comments’ will correspond either with my own personal Bible study, or a relevant issue I happen to be studying–that is to say, this is probably going to be haphazard and follow no particular order.
Calvin Comments
Sacraments Across Space and Time
God, the Holy One of Israel Has Chosen to Be Your God
Christmas: Thus God and Man are United. Thus, In Christ, We Posses God
The Doctrine Without Which Holy Week Is Not Good News
6 Reasons To Dig Into Calvin’s Commentaries
When God is Like Alfred Hitchcock
Calvin on Chalcedon in a Nutshell
‘Substance’? ‘Hypostasis’? But Those Words are Un-Biblical!
Speech-Acts and the Peace of Jesus
Jesus is the Beginning, the Middle, and the End
Wait, I Thought N.T. Wright Said That First?
That Time C.S. Lewis Got ‘Total Depravity’ Wrong (Just Like Everybody Else)
The Order Doesn’t Matter Because a Painting Is All We Need
I’m Taking a Sabbath (And So Should You)
That Time Calvin Disagreed with Augustine (Or, How to Read the Fathers Like a Protestant)
Job, Providence, and Multiple Intentionality
Does God Need to Be Woken Up? Calvin’s 6 Reasons to Pray
Three Dangers and One Hope For Pastors
5 Theses on Christ’s Priestly Ministry
Who Needs Preachers when You’ve the Bible?
It is Finished–All of It (Good Friday According to Calvin)
Early Posts
John Calvin’s Motherly God (Or, Why He’s Actually Worth Reading)
Wrath Or Love? Calvin on Why Jesus Goes to the Cross
God Didn’t Just Create the World to Spin On Its Own
“Good Luck! I’m Praying for You!” Wait, What?
Christ’s Cross and Ours: Some Thoughts on Suffering and the Life of Faith
Soli Deo Gloria
Reformedish 
8 thoughts on “Calvin Comments”