KNOWING GOD AND OURSELVES:
Reading Calvin’s InstitutesDevotionally
By David B. Calhoun
Banner of Truth. 341 pages. £15.00
ISBN 978 1 848 717 183
Dr David Calhoun is well positioned to write this book, having lectured for 25 years Institutes on Calvin’s at Covenant Theological Seminary.
In his own words he has found Calvin’s works to be a source of strength in the midst of life’s challenges and the way the book warmly commends Calvin’s most important work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, shows a profound respect and thankfulness for what God did through the French reformer.
The format of the book follows Calvin’s work very closely, having 26 chapters matching the major sections of the Institutes them-selves. Each chapter has introductory quotes from Calvin and other authors, a reading assignment from the Institutes, a Scripture passage and then a prayer. This is designed to make the exercise devotional, rather than merely academic, which is commendable. The rest of the chapter is a mix of helpful insights, summaries of the main teaching from Calvin in the reading assignment and helpful quotes from writers and preachers ancient and modern.
Dr Calhoun has aimed the book at students who are studying the Institutes. This aim has a narrow focus, but I think for anyone who wants insight into reading the Institutes this is a great place to find help. It is clear, relatively brief, and accessible if one is willing to put in the work.
