John Calvin

John Calvin
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John Calvin: Writings on Pastoral Piety (Classics of Western Spirituality)

Description of John Calvin:

John Calvin, one of the most important Protestant reformers of the 16th century, is well known as a theologian. However, he was also a caring preacher, pastor and spiritual leader. This volume in the dynamic Classics of Western Spirituality™ series highlights this significant but relatively unknown side of Calvin by exploring his piety and spirituality. This volume covers the scope of Calvin's life and work and includes sections on his life, theological orientation, liturgical and sacramental practices, the psalms, worship and prayer. The sources translated, some of which were previously translated by other persons, include letters, sermons, prayers, lectures, scriptural commentary, worship services and theological writings. While other translations of Calvin's works are available, this volume stands out because of its emphasis on a lesser-explored aspect of his work, his piety. Students and scholars of Protestant theology and spirituality and those with an interest in Reformation studies will find this to be an indispensable addition to their library.

Information on John Calvin from the publisher:

John Calvin, one of the most important Protestant reformers of the 16th century, is well known as a theologian. However, he was also a caring preacher, pastor and spiritual leader. This volume in the dynamic Classics of Western Spirituality series highlights this significant but relatively unknown side of Calvin by exploring his piety and spirituality. This volume covers the scope of Calvin's life and work and includes sections on his life, theological orientation, liturgical and sacramental practices, the psalms, worship and prayer. The sources translated, some of which were previously translated by other persons, include letters, sermons, prayers, lectures, scriptural commentary, worship services and theological writings. While other translations of Calvin's works are available, this volume stands out because of its emphasis on a lesser-explored aspect of his work, his piety. Students and scholars of Protestant theology and spirituality and those with an interest in Reformation studies will find this to be an indispensable addition to their library.

About Elsie Anne Mckee:

Elsie Anne McKee holds a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she is the Archibald Alexander Professor of Reformation Studies and the History of Worship. She is the author of several other works on John Calvin.

Description of Elsie Anne Mckee, author of John Calvin:

John Calvin was the leading pastor of the city-state of Geneva in the formative years of the sixteenth-century Reformation. A foreigner and exile, who became a pastor against his natural inclinations in response to God's call through William Farel and Martin Bucer, Calvin's ministry transformed an unimportant city of small-town burghers into a powerful witness for religious reform. Not only was Geneva itself reformed, but it also became "the most perfect school of Christ that ever was on the earth since the days of the apostles," in the words of John Knox, one of the many refugees and visitors who was inspired by the piety of Calvin's Geneva and spread its influence across Europe.Calvin the theologian is well known as an historical figure. However, modern readers for whom theology sounds like a rather esoteric subject might wonder how that intellectual "ivory tower man" could have reshaped people and communities and nations. Perhaps the most important key to the influence Calvin's thought is the fact that it was wedded to his piety, and the two sides of the one spiritual movement gave significant form and vitality to the Reformed tradition. This volume introduces the main facets of Calvin's piety, including both his personal religious experience and his pastoral ministry and spiritual direction.