As the subtitle indicates, The Reformed Faith of John Calvin is a summary (not an abridgment) in one volume of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. In a succinct, systematic way, the book sets forth the essence of the great reformer's teachings in his Institutes on all the truths of the Christian religion.
Throughout, this sum of Calvin's explanation and defense of the truths of the Christian faith is either expressed or supported by quotations of Calvin. The book is replete with quotations from the Institutes (in the judgment of the author, the most important and vivid statements of Calvin), so that the reader hears Calvin himself.
One who reads this book will know the Institutes and its comprehensive, powerful instruction in the Reformed faith—the faith of the sixteenth-century Reformation of the church and the faith of true churches of Christ in the twenty-first century.
The book also gives a brief explanation of certain of Calvin's teachings, offers analysis of Calvin's doctrine, applies the reformer's teachings to contemporary doctrinal issues, and even, rarely, becomes so bold as to criticize Calvin's doctrine, for instance, Calvin's teaching that the magistrate is called to enforce the first table of the law of God.
Many seminarians, pastors, elders, and laity, perhaps even a theologian or two, although desirous of learning the content of the Institutes, are put off from reading it by the sheer size of the massive, two-volume work or are hindered by the demands of their calling. This summary will supply their want and, it is hoped, motivate them to read the Institutes itself.
What others are saying about this book:
"Professor Engelsma has done the church a great service with this book. He has taken the weighty volumes of John Calvin’s Institutes from the “I need to read this, but it’s so big and not so easy to read” shelf and presented it to us in a very attractive volume that is difficult to put down. Young people, you really need to get a copy of this! Those of you who have your copies of Calvin’s Institutes, and have from time to time picked it up for some meaty reading, this book will help you see things in Calvin and the truth God used him to set forth that you may not have noticed before. Now in one handy volume we have a wonderful sketch of Calvin and his life, three very helpful chapters explaining the nature, history, style and structure of the Institutes, and a summary of the Institutes. All excuses for not being familiar with Calvin’s Institutes have by this book been forever rendered empty." - John Huizenga
Read a review by John Huizenga (the Beacon Lights).
David J. Engelsma served as minister to several Protestant Reformed congregations until he was appointed to the Protestant Reformed Seminary in 1988 as professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament studies. He also served as editor of the "Standard Bearer" from 1988-2002. Prof. Engelsma has lectured and preached throughout the British Isles on behalf of the British Reformed Fellowship, which is devoted to the spread and defense of the Reformed faith in the United Kingdom. He lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with his wife and is the father of 9 children. He has authored many RFPA books.
- 472 pages
- ISBN 978-1-944555-05-4
