Reformation Heritage Books

This is the new and definitive English-language edition of one of the monumental works of the Christian church. Under Dr. McNeill's personal supervision labored a whole corps of expert Latinists and Calvin scholars. All previous editions-in Latin, French, German, and English-have been collated; references and notes have been verified, corrected, and expanded; and new bibliographies have been added.

The translator and his associates have taken great care to preserve the rugged strength and vividness of Calvin's writing. They have not, however, hesitated to break up overly long sentences to conform to modern English usage or, whenever possible, to render heavy Latinate theological terms in simple language. The result is a translation that achieves a high degree of accuracy and at the same time is eminently readable.

The work features for the first time in any English edition: headings for chapter divisions and sections, symbols keying the growth of the Institutes from the outline of faith of 1536 to the systematic treatise of 1559, and notes explaining the background and meaning of Calvin's thought. And it includes for the first time in any language: comprehensive Scripture, Author, and Subject indexes.

Author   John Calvin (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.