Joel R. Beeke (editor). Calvin for Today. Reformation Heritage Books: Grand Rapids, 2010. 279 pages.

Introduction

Calvin for Today is an edited compilation of the addresses given at the 1st Puritan Reformed Conference, which was hosted by Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan), in August 2009. The theme of the conference was “Calvin for the 21st Century,” and was attended by a diverse group of people with interest in the Reformed faith. The addresses in Calvin for Todayreflect the richness of Reformed theology as they examine a number of different ways in how John Calvin’s ministry continues to be relevant to the 21st century. Furthermore, the articles do not need to be read in their specific order, which makes it an excellent topical resource for theological libraries.

Summary

Calvin for Today contains both information and practical applications of how to use Calvin’s thought in the world and culture in which we live today. Written for the man or woman in the pew, yet retaining a flavor of the spoken style, it is informative to the mind, stimulating in thought, and practical for one’s life. The book begins as the conference did, with an introduction sermon by Dr. David Murray, entitled “What Kind of Love is This.” From there, the book is broken into five different overarching topics dealing with John Calvin and his theology:

• Calvin and the Bible
• Calvin the Theologian
• Calvin and the Church
• Calvin the Ethicist
• Calvin and His Contemporary Impact

Within these five topics are addresses which focus on a number of different subjects including Calvin on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, missions, the church, Scripture, the Spirit’s work, redemption, ethics, believers’ benefits, the early church, reprobation, marriage, reforming the church, the resurgence of Calvinism in America, and why Calvin is important for the 21st century. The contributors of these addresses include Jerry Bilkes, Michael Haykin, Nelson Kloosterman, David Murray, Joseph Pipa, Neil Pronk, Donald Sinnema, Derek Thomas, and Cornel Venema.

Analysis

Calvin for Today is particularly good for the resurgence of Calvinism in American evangelicalism. In this day and age, as Calvinism has been growing more than ever in the last 150-years, it is important to know Calvinism in its entirety and not limit oneself merely to the doctrines of grace or God’s sovereignty. Here readers will see that Calvin was more than just 5-points; that Calvinism actually affects all areas of life. For example, John Calvin’s high-view of the Scriptures and his view of family and marriage, to his view on how the Spirit works, and the role, doctrine, and reforming of the Church, are all best seen as they are put together in the book’s conclusion which looks at Calvin’s contemporary impact in the 21st century. “The Resurgence of Calvinism in American” by Ligon Duncan runs through the nine influences over the last 150-years in the American culture that has helped bring about the resurgence of Calvinism, both old and new. Concluding the book is Joel Beeke’s “Twelve Reasons Why Calvin is Important Today.” In his typical systematic approach, Beeke spends his time addressing what he believes to be the 12 major reasons that John Calvin is still contemporary and important to the Church today.

Conclusion

Out of the number of books that have been published in the past couple of years, this title stands out in a way like none other which I have read. Calvin for Todaydeals not just with the more familiar issues of Calvinism—that is, not only the doctrines of grace—but digs deep, showing that Calvinism is more than soteriology. Furthermore, not only in great depth, but in a way that is understandable and applicable for the layman in the pew. The book—being that the chapters are edited addresses—is easy to read and comprehend, but still has the level of richness and information as a lecture in a seminary class. I do not know of a book that exists which consists of scholars and pastors like those listed above that deal with Calvin, and better yet, relate his theology to the 21st century Church. Regardless if one is an old or new Calvinist, this book will help shed light on how to properly understand and learn Calvin’s theology, and how to apply and reform the Church today.

View the Sample Pages here

This volume grows out of a conference at The John Owen Centre for Theological Study in London to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformer’s birth. Topics covered include Calvin’s life and reforming work, his Institutes of the Christian Religion, aspects of his theology, and his commitment to revolutionary living and powerful preaching. The contributors are Joel Beeke, Sinclair Ferguson, Ian Hamilton, Anthony Lane, Ray Pennings, and Paul Wells.

David Hall writes,

“This superb anthology of essays exploring the relevance of John Calvin for our times is exactly what we are coming to expect from the faithful, burgeoning Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and their faculty—a strong blend of mature scholarship from hearts promptly and sincerely offered to God. These essays, from one of the most successful North American conferences during the 2009 Calvin Quincentenary cycle, also comprise one of the finest literary offerings on the subject. Readers are given an expert introduction to Calvin as exegete, reformer, preacher, theologian, leader, missionary, ethicist, and to his enduring influence. It is a pleasure to read, it contains fine research, and it depicts the practical side of Calvin wonderfully. I am pleased to commend it heartily to a reading public, who assuredly will discover more about Calvin in future years from essays of this quality. Volumes, conferences, and leaders like these will advance that much needed recovery. Moreover, it presents a Calvin who is much harder to hate or ignore—perhaps making this book and its thought as dangerous and influential as Calvin’s.”

Originally $18.00, RHB $13.00

Richard Gaffin is Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a graduate of Calvin Collge, Grand Rapids, and he holds his Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from Westminster. He also is the author of Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology, and Perspectives on Pentecost.

Calvin’s views on the Sabbath are the subject of claim and counterclaim. This book brings together two controversial themes. Calvin’s ideas on Church/state relationships and on the sabbath. Richard Gaffin traces the development of the beliefs of Calvin through his comments and writings also helps us to understand the relationship between the ten commandments and the New Testament. Calvin’s conclusions have a much wider implication than just what you do on Sunday! You might also be surprised by Griffin’s analysis.

Sermons on Mechizeldek and Abraham
The Sermons cover chapters in Genesis with serious examination of Abraham, “the Friend of God” first, as to Abraham’s courage in rescuing his nephew Lot, second, as to his godliness in paying tithes to Melchizedek, third, as to Abraham’s faith in believing God, and lastly, as to his Obedience in offering his son Isaac. Complete and unabridged. Foreword by Dr. Richard A. Muller.

Sermons on the Deity of Christ
Published over 400 years ago, these selected sermons by John Calvin on Christology repudiate false doctrine of Christ but also provide the believer a picture of their majestic Saviour. As in all of Calvin’s Sermons, he is revealed not simply as a theologian and expositor, but as a preacher and pastor to those placed under his care. Forward by Richard C. Gamble.

Sermons on Election and Reprobation
This collection of sermons from the book of Genesis, deals with an awesome topic that has throughout time been repeatedly misunderstood, ignored, and most often shamefully denied. Calvin will cause the reader of these sermons to rightly understand this profound doctrine, to come away with the Biblical truth of the Sovereignty of the Creator in salvation and judgement. Forward by David J. Engelsma.

Sermons on Galatians
This work is a newly typeset edition from the 1574 edition by Arthur Golding and consists of two parts: the text of the whole of Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians as translated by Calvin as well as his sermons on the letter. Forward by Dr. Robert Godfrey.