On the Christian Life, A New Translation (Calvin)

Description

For centuries, Christians have read John Calvin’s On the Christian Life to answer a fundamental question: What does it mean to live faithfully as a Christian? This fresh translation of what is often referred to as Calvin’s “Golden Booklet” features an all-new introduction, robust citations, and explanatory footnotes—introducing a new generation of readers to a classic work of Christian spirituality.

In the book—a portion of the Reformer’s magnum opus, Institutes of the Christian Religion—Calvin suggests that a deep understanding of theology is worthless if the gospel has yet to “penetrate into the most intimate affection of the heart.” Touching on essential themes like self-denial, submission to God, bearing one’s cross, enduring suffering for the sake of righteousness, and meditating on the life to come, this accessible work will help believers reflect on their lives as Christians and lean on the grace of Jesus in everyday life.

• A Brand-New Translation: Translated from the original Latin edition by Calvin scholar Raymond A. Blacketer—making this classic work more accessible to modern readers than ever before
• A Fresh Introduction: Includes an all-new introduction by editor Anthony N. S. Lane, professor of historical doctrine at the London School of Theology
• Helpful Resources: Includes robust source citations and explanatory footnotes to help pastors, students, scholars, and everyday Christians better understand Calvin’s words and context Explores the Christian Life: Addresses themes including self-denial, taking up one’s cross, submitting to God, and suffering for the sake of righteousness
• Explores the Christian Life: Addresses themes including self-denial, taking up one’s cross, submitting to God, and suffering for the sake of righteousness

Contents

Editor's Introduction
Abbreviations

Book III: How We Obtain the Grace of Christ
The Benefits That Come to Us and the Fruits That Follow from That Grace

Chapter 6: The Life of a Christian
First, the Arguments That Scripture Uses to Encourage Us to That Life
Chapter 7: The Sum of the Christian Life, in Which We Discuss the Denial of Ourselves
Chapter 8: Bearing the Cross
An Aspect of Self-Denial
Chapter 9: Meditation on the Future Life
Chapter 10: How We Must Use the Present Life and Its Means of Support

General Index
Scripture Index

Endorsements

“How can believers offer themselves to God as living sacrifices? Every Christian on the road to the heavenly city needs a faithful fellow traveler with whom to discuss the ups and downs of the sacrificial Christian life. John Calvin is one such companion from the past. In this freshly translated excerpt from his Institutes, the cream of classic Reformed orthodoxy, Calvin discusses how Christians can live all of life to the glory of God as living sacrifices, traversing fruitful topics such self-denial, submission to God, divine sovereignty, affliction, cross bearing, and meditation on heaven. Take up and read this thoroughly experiential treatment of practical Christianity!”
—Joel R. Beeke, Chancellor and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary; Pastor, Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“Many might think that John Calvin is a dry intellectual who is remote from their experience as struggling Christians today. This picture is far from reality, as this fresh translation of a wonderful Christian classic reveals. I highly recommend this work!”
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California

About the Author

John Calvin (1509–1564) was one of the most influential theologians of the Reformation. Known best for his Institutes of the Christian Religion, he also wrote landmark expositions on most of the books in the Bible.