DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the thought of John Calvin in his sixteenth-century context by reading and analyzing his Institutes and other selected works.

Calvin's theology was formed in the crucible of sixteenth-century conflicts, virtually all of which bore ministerial, ecclesiastical, exegetical, and doctrinal dimensions. Students concerned to understand and/or perpetuate the Reformed tradition of Protestant theology can benefit from the various ways in which Calvin stands as a model of the pastor-theologian and thereby become better formed theologically--that is, pastorally--by studying his life and writings with care.

Seminar format, meets three hours weekly to discuss readings and issues.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), 2 vols. Westminster, 1960.

de Greef, Wulfert. The Writings of John Calvin. Baker, 1993.

Olin, John, ed. A Reformation Debate: Sadoleto's Letter . . . and Calvin's Reply. Baker, 1976.

One of the following, but do not buy before first class session: (o.p. titles often available used)

Balke, Willem. Calvin and the Anabaptist Radicals. Eerdmans, 1981. (o.p.)

Bouwsma, William. John Calvin: A Sixteenth-Century Portrait. Oxford, 1988.

Butin, Philip. Revelation, Redemption, and Response. Oxford, 1995.

Dowey, Edward A. The Knowledge of God in Calvin's Theology. 3rd ed. Eerdmans, 1994.

Ganoczy, Alexandre. The Young Calvin. T. & T. Clark, 1988.

Graham, W. Fred. The Constructive Revolutionary. John Knox, 1971; Michigan State, 1987.

Hesselink, John. Calvin and the Law. Pickwick, 1992.

Höpfl, Harro. The Christian Polity of John Calvin. Cambridge, 1982.

McDonnell, Kilian. John Calvin, the Church, and the Eucharist. Princeton, 1967. (o.p.)

McKee, Elsie Anne. John Calvin on the Diaconate. . . . Geneva: Droz, 1984.

McNeill, J. T. The History and Character of Calvinism. Oxford, 1954.

Niesel, Wilhelm. The Theology of Calvin. Westminster, 1956; Baker, 1980. (o.p.)

Parker, T. H. L. Calvin: An Introduction to His Thought. Westminster/John Knox, 1995.

_________. Calvin's New Testament Commentaries. 2nd ed. Westminster/John Knox, 1993.

_________. Calvin's Old Testament Commentaries. Westminster/John Knox, 1993.

_________. Calvin's Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 1992.

Schreiner, Susan E. The Theater of His Glory. Labyrinth, 1991; Baker, 1995.

Wendel, François. Calvin: Origins and Development of His . . . Thought. Labyrinth, 1987. (o.p.)

Muller, Richard A. Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms. Baker, 1985.

1. Master's level (553): 1600 pages of assigned reading, including two-thirds or so of the Institutes. CATS level students (853): 2100 pages of assigned reading, including all of Calvin's Institutes.

2. Weekly written response to readings, to be completed before each class.

3. Critical book review, to be submitted in writing and presented in class.

4. Weekly Latin tutorials (mandatory for graduate students, optional for others).

5. Final examination, essay format.

6. Original research paper (CATS students only), topic approved by instructor, outline due by ninth week.