Calvin?s Institutes of Christian Religion is one of the most important and influential Christian books ever written, on the same level as Augustine?s Confessions and Bunyan?s Pilgrim?s Progress. However, for today?s Christians, used to simple sentences and paperbacks, the 1300 pages of closely argued text seem so daunting that many who buy the book do not actually read it. This is sad as John Calvin has had a huge influence on Western civilization as well as the church of Christ. Professor Lane?s helpful reader aims to remedy this situation. He wants us to read Calvin for ourselves and see what a great theologian he was. Professor Lane provides a summary of every book, chapter and most paragraphs of the Institutes. He highlights the main arguments and draws attention to particularly important sentences. He also helpfully points out parts that have little relevance today. This book is not meant to be read on its own, but with an open copy of the Institutes beside you. Professor Lane admirably succeeds in his mission. I found myself dusting off my copy of the Institutes and reading passages I have not read for 20 years. The book also contains a summary of Calvin?s life and the history of the various editions of the Institutes. The book assumes that you have the McNeill-Battles translation of the Institutes, citing page numbers and footnotes. However you can still use this book to good effect if you have the Henry Beveridge translation (as I do).

Calvin’s Institutes of Christian Religion is one of the most important and influential Christian books ever written, on the same level as Augustine’s Confessions and Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. However, for today’s Christians, used to simple sentences and paperbacks, the 1300 pages of closely argued text seem so daunting that many who buy the book do not actually read it. This is sad as John Calvin has had a huge influence on Western civilization as well as the church of Christ. Professor Lane’s helpful reader aims to remedy this situation. He wants us to read Calvin for ourselves and see what a great theologian he was. Professor Lane provides a summary of every book, chapter and most paragraphs of the Institutes. He highlights the main arguments and draws attention to particularly important sentences. He also helpfully points out parts that have little relevance today. This book is not meant to be read on its own, but with an open copy of the Institutes beside you. Professor Lane admirably succeeds in his mission. I found myself dusting off my copy of the Institutes and reading passages I have not read for 20 years. The book also contains a summary of Calvin’s life and the history of the various editions of the Institutes. The book assumes that you have the McNeill-Battles translation of the Institutes, citing page numbers and footnotes. However you can still use this book to good effect if you have the Henry Beveridge translation (as I do).

Calvin’s Institutes of Christian Religion is one of the most important and influential Christian books ever written, on the same level as Augustine’s Confessions and Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. However, for today’s Christians, used to simple sentences and paperbacks, the 1300 pages of closely argued text seem so daunting that many who buy the book do not actually read it. This is sad as John Calvin has had a huge influence on Western civilization as well as the church of Christ. Professor Lane’s helpful reader aims to remedy this situation. He wants us to read Calvin for ourselves and see what a great theologian he was. Professor Lane provides a summary of every book, chapter and most paragraphs of the Institutes. He highlights the main arguments and draws attention to particularly important sentences. He also helpfully points out parts that have little relevance today. This book is not meant to be read on its own, but with an open copy of the Institutes beside you. Professor Lane admirably succeeds in his mission. I found myself dusting off my copy of the Institutes and reading passages I have not read for 20 years. The book also contains a summary of Calvin’s life and the history of the various editions of the Institutes. The book assumes that you have the McNeill-Battles translation of the Institutes, citing page numbers and footnotes. However you can still use this book to good effect if you have the Henry Beveridge translation (as I do).

Calvin’s Institutes of Christian Religion is one of the most important and influential Christian books ever written, on the same level as Augustine’s Confessions and Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. However, for today’s Christians, used to simple sentences and paperbacks, the 1300 pages of closely argued text seem so daunting that many who buy the book do not actually read it. This is sad as John Calvin has had a huge influence on Western civilization as well as the church of Christ. Professor Lane’s helpful reader aims to remedy this situation. He wants us to read Calvin for ourselves and see what a great theologian he was. Professor Lane provides a summary of every book, chapter and most paragraphs of the Institutes. He highlights the main arguments and draws attention to particularly important sentences. He also helpfully points out parts that have little relevance today. This book is not meant to be read on its own, but with an open copy of the Institutes beside you. Professor Lane admirably succeeds in his mission. I found myself dusting off my copy of the Institutes and reading passages I have not read for 20 years. The book also contains a summary of Calvin’s life and the history of the various editions of the Institutes. The book assumes that you have the McNeill-Battles translation of the Institutes, citing page numbers and footnotes. However you can still use this book to good effect if you have the Henry Beveridge translation (as I do).