Theology of John Calvin

by Karl Barth, Geoffrey W. Bromiley

Overview

Though Karl Barth wrote his lectures on John Calvin more than seventy years ago, the wrestling of one theological giant with another can hardly fail to be exciting and instructive. Delivered at the University of Göttingen in 1922, Barth's lectures offer a brilliant theological analysis of the Reformation — of Calvin in particular — while at the same time providing vital insights into the development of the theologian Barth himself.

Barth's lectures open with an illuminating sketch of medieval theology, an appreciation of Luther's breakthrough, and a comparative study of the roles of Zwingli and Calvin. The main portion of the lectures consists of an increasingly sympathetic, and at times amusing, account of Calvin's life up to his recall to Geneva. In the process, Barth examines and evaluates the early theological writings of Calvin, especially the 1536 edition of the Institutes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802806963
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/23/2007
Pages:	452
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.01(d)

About the Author

(1886—1968) Karl Barth was professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Basel, Switzerland. He is considered by some to be the greatest Protestant theologian of the twentieth century and possibly the greatest since the Reformation. Among his most famous works are Church Dogmatics and The Epistle to the Romans.

Geoffrey Bromiley (1915—2009) was professor emeritus of church history and historical theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. His other books include Historical Theology: An Introduction and Introduction to the Theology of Karl Barth.

Table of Contents

PART I: PRESUPPOSITIONS

1. Reformation and Middle Ages

1 Connection
2 Contrast
3 Common Features

2. Calvin, Luther, and Zwingli

4 Luther
5 Zwingli
6 Calvin

PART II: LIFE OF CALVIN

3. Early Years, 1509-1536

7 Introduction
8 Psychopannychia
9 1536 Institutes


Introduction
Knowledge of God and Man
Sacraments
Church
False Sacraments
Christian Liberty


Authorities
Laws
People and Government

10 Basel to Geneva


Writings

4. First Genevan Stay

11 The Situation in Geneva
12 Calvin's Work
13 Reformation Program


Church Order
Catechism
Confession

14 Reception
15 Conflicts


Anabaptists
Caroli


Lausanne Disputation, 2.17.1537
Bern Disputation, 2.18.1537
Crisis
Lausanne Synod, 5.14.1537
Bern Synod, 5.31.1537
Bern Synod, 9.22.1537

Bern Ceremonies


Bern View
Geneva View
Calvin's Attitude (Easter 1538 in Geneva)

16 April to September 1538


Calvin in Bern
Zurich Synod, 4.28.1538
Summer 1538

5. Strassburg Stay, 1538-1541

17 Commentary on Romans
18 Participation in German Colloquies
19 Correspondence with Sadolet

Indexes

Subjects
Names
Scripture References

Editorial Reviews

Church Times (U.K.)
"A fascinating insight into Barth's developing assessment of the Reformation."

Interpretation
"Refreshing and informative. . . This is a great book by a great theologian about a still greater theologian. . . Although Calvin research has far surpassed Barth's 'youthful' explorations, this is a rewarding study that any student of the Reformed tradition will find magnetic, instructive, and useful."

Journal of Theological Studies
"This book, The Theology of John Calvin, is highly significant. It is, as is customary, elegantly and scrupulously translated by Geoffrey Bromiley. . . Everyone who takes Barth seriously should read this book at least once!"

Religious Studies Review
"Of great interest to Calvin scholars as well as to students of Barth's theology."

Sixteenth Century Journal
"The book is significant not only as an early-twentieth-century interpretation of Calvin . . . , but also as a reflection of Barth's theological development shortly after the second edition of his Epistle to the Romans, as he begins to come to grips with the foundations of the Reformed theological tradition and his place within it. The book itself will come as a real surprise to Calvin scholars who are unfamiliar with Barth's approach to historical studies."

The Expository Times
"What makes this book such a good read is the fact that not only is the reader introduced to the best mind on Calvin, but in so doing is exposed to theological method at its most brilliant. . . The relevance of this book cannot be overstated."

H. Martin Rumscheidt
—Atlantic School of Theology
"These lectures are a significant marker on the road of Barth's theological progress. Barth's resolute joining of the knowledge of God and the knowledge of history, widely valued by many, is already present in these lectures from 1922. Biography, history, theology, reflection, and actualization for our time flow smoothly one into the other.. Barth brings to these lectures a rare congeniality and sensibility for what was at the heart of the Protestant Reformation - then and now. A captivating and reliable introduction to Calvin and to his theology."

Ronald S. Wallace
—Columbia Theological Seminary
"An important contribution to modern Calvin studies. It deals as much with Calvin's life as with his teachings, and as we would expect, Barth had mastered all the details of Genevan affairs and of Calvin's writings, letters, and disputations to make himself an authority on his subject. This book will prove useful also for its searching introduction to the Middle Ages and Luther."

From the Publisher

A fascinating insight into Barth's developing assessment of the Reformation.

Church Times (U.K.)

"Refreshing and informative.... This is a great book by a great theologian about a still greater theologian.... Although Calvin research has far surpassed Barth's "youthful" explorations, this is a rewarding study that any student of the Reformed tradition will find magnetic, instructive, and useful."

Interpretation

This book, The Theology of John Calvin, is highly significant. It is, as is customary, elegantly and scrupulously translated by Geoffrey Bromiley.... Everyone who takes Barth seriously should read this book at least once!

Journal of Theological Studies

Of great interest to Calvin scholars as well as to students of Barth's theology.

Religious Studies Review

"The book is significant not only as an early-twentieth-century interpretation of Calvin..., but also as a reflection of Barth's theological development shortly after the second edition of his Epistle to the Romans, as he begins to come to grips with the foundations of the Reformed theological tradition and his place within it. The book itself will come as a real surprise to Calvin scholars who are unfamiliar with Barth's approach to historical studies."

Sixteenth Century Journal

"What makes this book such a good read is the fact that not only is the reader introduced to the best mind on Calvin, but in so doing is exposed to theological method at its most brilliant.... The relevance of this book cannot be overstated."

Expository Times