A Life of John Calvin: A Study in the Shaping of Western Culture

by Alister E. McGrath

Book Overview

The first biography of John Calvin since 1975 and the only life of the great reformer to analyse his impact on subsequent generations of theologians, politicians, economists and philosophers. This... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0631189475
• Release Date: October 1993
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.1" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Critical Review of "A Life of John Calvin"

John Calvin has been cast by many biographical writers as an austere, iron-fisted, dictatorial sixteenth century theologian. Alister McGrath's exhaustive and detailed work seeks to dispel these myths while giving insight into the character and thinking of Calvin that profoundly shaped Western Culture. McGrath is Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University and author of several theology textbooks, including Christian Theology, The Christian Theology Reader, Christian Spirituality, Science and Religion, Historical Theology, and An Introduction to Christianity. McGrath's purpose is to show how Calvin's theological thinking and events, that gained momentum even beyond his life time, shaped Western Culture. This includes the startling premise that capitalism and Marxism both owe their foundation, to some degree, to Calvin's innovating thinking, financial institutions, manufacturing developments, and ecclesiastical structures put in place while at Geneva. McGrath's chronological approach starts with Calvin's educational background, where McGrath delved into obscure records and examines the Universities and professors he studied under, thereby forming his thinking and theology. McGrath even includes city maps and physical relationships of the various universities Calvin attended to help the reader sense and comprehend Calvin's learning environment. Contrasts and comparisons are made throughout the book between Calvin and Luther differentiating their theological viewpoints and emphasis. One such contrast is made between Luther's focus on justification by faith and Calvin's focus on sanctification by faith. In many cases, it appears McGrath is trying to prove Calvin's superiority over Luther. McGrath chips away at various myths regarding Calvin's theology and behavior while at Geneva. Some have suggested that Calvin developed a systematic theology. However, McGrath believes Calvin did not consider himself a systematic thinker nor did he develop or arrange his works (primarily his Institutes) in any systematic form. McGrath notes, "To speak of Calvin as a theological systematizer is to imply a degree of affinity with medieval scholasticism which contradicts his known attitudes." McGrath also seeks to debunk the idea that Calvin's theology was dominated by the concept of predestination, particularly double predestination. McGrath states, "One may identify certain centrally important themes, certain fundamental root metaphors, which allow insights into Calvin's religious thought--but the notion of a central doctrine or axiom which controls it cannot be maintained. `There is no `hard core', no `basic principle' or `central premise', no `essence' of Calvin's religious thought." McGrath believes that if any doctrine was central to Calvin's theology, it was the centrality of Jesus Christ, which is covered in the first book of his Institutes. The `Calvinism' known today (hyper Calvinism) was not adhered to at all by Calvin, but developed by those w

A Helpful Book on Calvin

McGrath's book is a must read for those interested in John Calvin. It is a helpful introduction to the theologian, pastor, reformer, and his times. Careful reading of this work will repay the reader the time invested in diving into its riches. McGrath proves that he is one of the top English theologians and historians with this book. For those interested in learning about John Calvin--we are in his debt.

An extraordinary biography of Calvin for the layperson...

I have read several biographies about John Calvin and I must say that this is by far the best one I've come across! The author is down-to-earth, a little scholastic at times but not too heady. He shows us the man behind the many diabolical and misleading myths. Calvin was an incredibly devout man who deserves to be treated with respect and careful consideration by our own generation. I learned so much about this great Protestant Reformer from this book. A timely masterpiece!

Balanced detailed biography of a major Christian reformer

When people think of the Reformation, two people often come to mind. The first is generally Martin Luther and the second is often John Calvin. Alister McGrath does a service both to historians and Christians; his balanced scholarship sets new standards for biographical writing. McGrath discusses Calvin's life, his academic experience, and his theology. McGrath also includes chapters on Calvin's turbulent relationship with the city of Geneva and properly shows that the man and the city had a significant influence on each other.One of the best parts of this book is that McGrath puts Calvin in to proper historical context by discussing both France and the dominant intellectual trends therein and discussing the city with which Calvin would become forever associated with, Geneva. All throughout the work, McGrath will invite the reader to consider the problems encountered by the Calvin historian; where there is little documentation, McGrath is not afraid to tell the reader. Though McGrath has a clear perspective on who Calvin was and his contribution to history, he acknowledges the contributions of different historians and modifies his position when necessary. This book is not all intellectual and theological history; McGrath explains the social and political significance of heresy and discusses which classes of people tended to adopt Calvinism and why. Some of the interesting observations that McGrath makes throughout the work:- Calvin never opposed Copernicus' theory of heliocentrism; there is nothing to suggest that in, "The Institutes of the Christian Religion," (Calvin's main work of theology) or any of his other works. Indeed the first mention that Calvin was critical of Copernicus was in a 19th century biography of Calvin, written by the Anglican Dean od Canterbury, Frederick William Farrar (1831-1903)- Calvin's relationship to Calvinism; one of the interesting problems in history is to examine the relation between leaders and the movements that they establish. If one looks at John Calvin's theology, one finds that the doctrine of predestination has quite a minor role. It was only later theologians working in what may be called the "Reformed" or the "Calvinist" tradition that put such an emphasis on the doctrine of predestination, election etc...- Calvin's relationship to the emergence of modern capitalism; it has become a popular position among some historians to exaggerate the role of Calvin in the development of modern capitalism. McGrath notes that Calvin's real contribution was more so creating a religious outlook that removed restraints on capitalism (e.g. Calvin did not consider lending money at interest to be immoral) and his positive emphasis of the value of work, especially physical labour.- There was analysis of the way Calvinism favored being involved in the world, rather than withdrawing. The only drawback to this approach is that sometimes the social practices of Calvinism would gradually lose their religious core and become secula

Exciting work

This is indeed an exciting work on a man so often slandered by biographers. McGrath shows the man as he was, a man. A man of true genius, respectability, and honor (yet a man nonetheless). It was a pleasure to read this work, and a credit (once again) to the work of a good and honorable author.