John Calvin has been the subject of widespread misunderstanding and misinterpretation. He is a figure whom other theologians either seek to "capture" to endorse their own, often very different, positions or whom they seek to vilify. Calvin: A Guide for the Perplexed attempts to "re-situate" Calvin by providing a mid-level introduction to his thought. As befits the series, special attention is given to Calvin's thought, not on his character or career. The focus here is not only on Calvin's theological positions, but also on the philosophy intertwined within them, the significance of which is often overlooked.

Introduction

1 Orientation -who Calvin was - Calvin and 'Calvinism' - idolising and demonising - recent scholarhip - anachronism - philosophy.

2. Knowledge of God and self - "Sensus Divinitatis" - Revelation - 'Reformed' epistemology

3. God in Trinity

4. Jesus Christ, his person and his work

5. Grace and faith - the will - predestination - faith and assurance - justification and sanctification (two-fold righteousness)

6. Ethics - natural law/common grace - the revealed law and its 'uses' - what is valuable - intention

7. Church and State - word and sacrament - Two Kingdoms - magistrate - resistance

8. Calvin and Calvinism - Kendall - Puritanism - Scholasticism - Warfield

Further Reading

Index