Anyone read Calvin's Institutes, Book of Concord?

[Madaglan]

I’m thinking about getting this book and reading it over Christmas break. From what I understand, it is a masterpiece for the Reformers. I really want to read the book because I want to understand what many evangelicals really base their ideas upon. However, I also realize that there’s a slight possibility I’ll come across some anti-Catholicism

For this reason, I’m wondering if anyone can give me some advice on what I should keep in mind in reading through this long classic work.

I’m also planning on reading the Book of Concord, too–as well as Timothy Ware’s The Orthodox Church. So any reminders would be great. Thanks!

 

[Reformed_Rob]

I haven’t read it all, but what I’ve read and learned from talks/teaching about Calvin’s Institutes, are that you will encounter, along with serious Reformed theology, some criticisms of Catholic church practices and doctrine. He even quotes several Church Fathers like Augustine and Bernard of Clairvoux, and tries to “pull them onto his side.”

There are different publications of the Institutes. If you read the first one, I think the 1533, you will have a short read (maybe 300 pages). But if you read his final version, you’ve got about a 1200 page read (the 1539 version I think).

Maybe it’s on the “banned reading list” and you’re not supposed to read it if you’re Catholic, without permission.

Undoubtedly, aside from what you may seriously disagree with, you would be edified by his teaching on submitting our minds and lives to Christ. It’s a philosophical/theological book, and has heavily influenced Western Civilization.

 

[Madaglan]

Originally Quoted by Reformed Bob:

Maybe it’s on the “banned reading list” and you’re not supposed to read it if you’re Catholic, without permission.

Don’t worry about that. I’ve probably read more than my share of “banned” reading already. And even if I do need permission, I’ll just ask my local priest and he’ll probably say, “sure.”

I think the first edition was 1536, but I may be wrong. I did not realize that later additions were x 4 as long as the original edition. Is there any reason why Calvin added so much later on? Anyhow, thanks for your advice

 

[Reformed_Rob]

Madaglan:

I think the first edition was 1536, but I may be wrong. I did not realize that later additions were x 4 as long as the original edition. Is there any reason why Calvin added so much later on? Anyhow, thanks for your advice

From what I understand, he added more because he realized it was such a foundational work, and though he wrote other things, he thought it was necessary to continually add and expand what was already there. But that’s overly simplistic, I’m sure there’s more to it than that.

I’d suggest getting a good 2 volume hardback (expect ~$50 new) if you get the big version. The shorter version would probably serve your purpose, and you wouldn’t spend like 2 months reading something, get bogged down in it (because it’s not Catholic) and not finish. But I don’t know you, you may breeze joyfully through it. Anyways, the shorter version is more than many Calvinists read now anyways, so you’ll have read more Calvin than most Calvinists!!

Just be sure to check his “Church Father quotes” as much as you can. He’s a “proto-William Webster” in that regard.