If you are still considering reading Calvin this year, there is yet time to start. If you miss this week you will only have missed the address to the French king and will not have missed any of the substance of the Institutes.
As an encouragement to consider at least beginning read this from Sean Lucas, a professor at Covenant Seminary, who has himself begun reading Calvin afresh. He comments:
One of the things that has struck me afresh is how the Institutes really are what Calvin (and what I in class) say they are: a manual on piety. Over and again, Calvin preaches, cajoles, directs, persuades and urges; he calls on us to “lift your hearts up” to heaven in order to mediate on the grace and glory of God. He wants us to be changed through a genuine love of God our gracious and loving father. It has been quite refreshing spiritually to do this.
That was my impression when I read them 20 years ago. It’s not too late to jump on board.
Also, if you were thinking about listening to the Covenant Seminary lectures on Calvin on your iPod, I have converted them all to audiobook format. In contrast to normal mp3s, audiobooks remember where you left off when you sync your iPod or switch for a time to a song or some other recording. Let me know if you are interested, and we’ll figure out a way to get these to you. Email me here.
UPDATE; I have been made aware of another site – Princeton Seminary – which has its own schedule for reading the Institutes and has been given permission to post the excellent McNeill/Battles translation in daily increments so that one can read without having to buy the actual book. Also, there is included in this site a podcast of an audio recording of the Institutes. (However, be warned that the audio changes Calvin so that he writes as one who is gender inclusive.) Because of copyright issues, the readings only stay posted for a few days, so you will need to keep up.
MagistraCarminum
May I just say that I found the letter to the King of France fascinating? Calvin is lively and thorough in defending the Reformation there.
TulipGirl
“I have converted them all to audiobook format.”I’m impressed. You’ve got mad tech skillz.”However, be warned that the audio changes Calvin so that he writes as one who is gender inclusive.”I’ve heard it is only for when that reader is recording, and it isn’t when there are other readers.Personally, I find it annoying. While I think that inclusive language is beneficial in many contexts, I like to think that most people are smart enough and stable enough to take references to “man” and understand them to be all humankind, when reading older works.
Randy Greenwald
You’ve got mad tech skillz.No, I’ve got software. Audiobook Builder