Calvin's Theology and Its Reception: Disputes, Developments and New Possibilities (Billings & Hesselink)

A Unique Resource for the Study of John Calvin's Theology, Its Reception, and Its Application Today

J. Todd Billings and I. John Hesselink have compiled an essential collection of essays for the study of John Calvin's theology. Leading Calvin scholars examine the early and late reception-history of Calvin's fundamental teachings, including reflections on the contemporary possibilities and limitations in developing Calvin's thought.

Table of Contents:

Section I: Calvin’s Theology of Scripture and Revelation, and Its Reception

1. The Revelation of God in Creation and Scripture: Calvin’s Theology and Its Early Reception – I. John Hesselink

2. Calvin on the Revelation of God in Creation and Scripture: Modern Reception and Contemporary Possibilities – Mark Husbands

Section 2: Calvin’s Theology of Union with Christ and Its Reception

3. Union with Christ and the Double Grace: Calvin’s Theology and Its Early Reception – J. Todd Billings

4. Calvin’s Theology of Union with Christ and the Double Grace: Modern Reception and Contemporary Possibilities – Michael S. Horton

Section 3: Calvin’s Theology of Election and Its Reception

5. Election: Calvin’s Theology and Its Early Reception – Carl R. Trueman

6. Calvin’s Theology of Election: Modern Reception and Contemporary Possibilities – Suzanne McDonald

Section 4: Calvin’s Theology of the Lord’s Supper and Its Reception

7. Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper: Calvin’s Theology and Its Early Reception – Sue A. Rozeboom

8. Calvin’s Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper: modern Reception and Contemporary Possibilities – Timothy Hessel-Robinson

Section 5: Calvin’s theology of Church and Society, and Its Reception

9. Church and Society: Calvin’s Theology and Its Early Reception – Jeannine E. Olson

10. Calvin’s Theology of Church and Society: Modern Reception and Contemporary Possibilities – David Little 

Author

J. Todd Billings is Associate Professor of Reformed Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and the author of numerous publications including Union with Christ: Reframing Theology and Ministry for the Church and Calvin, Participation, and the Gift, for which he won a 2009 Templeton Award for Theological Promise.

I. John Hesselink is Albertus C. Van Raalte Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.

Endorsements 

"This volume impressively and creatively reunites two approaches to Calvin's thought that have grown apart in recent years: the interpretation of Calvin's thought in its sixteenth-century context, and the reception of Calvin's thought in our contemporary situation. Billings and Hesselink are to be highly commended for the theological vision lying behind this volume, which should be of interest to all students of historical and systematic theology." - Randall Zachman, Professor of Reformation Studies, University of Notre Dame

"This outstanding collection of essays explores the headwaters of John Calvin’s theology in the sixteenth century and maps our major tributaries of his religious thought to the present day. readers will learn much from this penetrating study of the reception, development, and (sometimes) misappropriation of Calvin's rich theological legacy." - Scott M. Manetsch, Associate Professor of Church History, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois

"Billings and Hesselink have offered both the novice and mature scholar new avenues into Calvin's thought by directly combining considerations of various topics in Calvin’s theology with the reception histories of those topics. This advance allows for the serious grappling with the traditions in which all students and scholars work, genuinely providing a gift for Calvin scholarship and a model to be explored for historical theology." - R. Ward Holder, Professor of Theology, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire