My Book Annotation on: Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Volume 1 and 2

[Wayne S. Benner]

Annotation-Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Volume 1 and 2
Copyright 2009 Use by permission only.

Edited by John T. McNeill and from the, "Library of Christian Classics," the text is informative and of two challenging volumes. What of these challenges, the authoritative translations, without individual introduction, rely on the preconceived knowledge of the reader, on Calvin and his progress. I respect the fact that this translation does not transcend into the biographical arena, but stays true to its purpose, a scholars translation of a work. Adhering to the principles of academia.

It is noted in the lengthy translator's note, "behind the present English version lie extensive studies of Calvin's vocabulary and investigations of his scriptural usage...the aim has been to achieve a reasonably consistent rendering of Calvin's meaning in modern English." As a whole work, this text, "Continues to challenge intensive study and contributes a reviving impulse to thinking in the area of Christian doctrine and social duty." The systematic attention to detail for which I have found to be profound, can be estimated in the lengthy introduction.

A brief bibliography does put the work into the context of historical rendering and we learn from this bibliography that, "A new stage now began...He would never cease thereafter from tireless activity in the cause of the Evangelical faith." Also of importance within the introductory paragraph's, informative dialogue in regards to alternate translations. The editor admits that, "The Latin Edition of 1559 must always be held to bear Calvin's most indisputable imprint of authority," and Calvin notes that, "although he did not regret the labor spent, (he) was never satisfied until the work had been arranged in the order now set forth (Latin Edition)." It is important that the reader understand that Calvin, "claims that in laboring at the revision through a time of illness with a quartan fever, he has furnished clear evidence of the zeal that moved him...to carry out this task for the God's Church." Those of religious faith in-line with Calvin or of strong religious conviction could see this as a truth, the non believer may see it as a strong conviction, regardless of the faith. Either end of the belief system certainly can agree on the conviction of the man, maybe not his reasoning for the conviction.

It would be commendable and a lengthy project to write at length of this work, but this is an annotation and thus brief. In short, it is still important for my audience to understand not in detail Calvin's exact thoughts, but what he wrote about in a more general sense. Volume one and two consist of Calvin's distinct writing on, "The Knowledge of God the Creator, The knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, First Disclosed to the Fathers Under the Law, and then to us in the Gospel, "The Way which we receive the Grace of Christ: what benefits come to us from it and What effects follow, The external means on aides by which God invites us into the society of Christ and holds us therein.

Authoritative and extensive, John Calvin's, "Institutes of Christian Religion, "offers insights of tremendous value, from a powerful reformer. Decisive and qualitatively translated, it is apparent that the, "editor-Scholar," aimed to provide a translation, of common English, that adheres to the pains taken by Calvin the original author.