SKU: 36419990643

Institutes of the Christian Religion: Books 1-4

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Institutes of the Christian Religion: Books 1-4Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is one of the most important and straightforward works of theology ever written, yet so few people actually read it. The Christian Heritage Series presents all four books of the Institutes in complete, unabridged, easy to read volumes. John Calvin certainly writes good theology, but he also writes with beauty and clarityand both these aspects are captured in Beveridges translation. Calvin is concerned that

Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion is one of the most important and straightforward works of theology ever written, yet so few people actually read it.

The Christian Heritage Series presents all four books of the Institutes in complete, unabridged, easy-to-read volumes. John Calvin certainly writes good theology, but he also writes with beauty and clarity—and both these aspects are captured in Beveridge’s translation. Calvin is concerned that readers not be puffed up with new knowledge, rather he wants us to be drawn to the majesty and holiness of God in order to know our sin and our need for grace. Read this classic to grow closer to God.

Book 1

“What accords better and more aptly with faith than to acknowledge ourselves divested of all virtue that we may be clothed by God, devoid of all goodness that we may be filled by Him, the slaves of sin that He may give us freedom, blind that He may enlighten, lame that He may cure, and feeble that He may sustain us; to strip ourselves of all ground of glorying that He alone may shine forth glorious, and we be glorified in him?” ~From Book I of the Institutes

Look Inside the Book

Book 1 of the Institutes is about the knowledge of God the creator. As Calvin observes, the knowledge of God and the knowledge of man are inextricably intertwined, and if we are to know ourselves rightly, we must have a knowledge of God’s holiness and majesty. However, since the human mind is an idol factory, our knowledge is so tainted and dim that we live in death and ignorance unless God’s grace intervenes. Here Calvin discusses God, natural law, human sinfulness, Scripture, the Trinity, and providence.  

"Of those shelved classics warranting a dusting off, Book I of Calvin’s Institutes is among the most deserving. This is not because it offers much that is new; the treasures Calvin offers are not those to be unearthed only through possession of secret coordinates. As with so many literary gems, the trouble is not a lack of access but a dearth of appreciation for what lies hidden in plain sight, the contents more assumed than actually explored. The reader who takes the time to ponder the riches here will not be disappointed. He will find that this is not just a good old book, worth reading solely for its inherent literary value. More than this, it is a volume with critical import for today, as its pages soundly sketch the realm, made visible by divine revelation, that conditions our present situation." ~From Timothy G. Harmon’s Introduction

 

Book 2

“The Word of God leaves no half life to man, but teaches, that, in regard to life and happiness, he has utterly perished. Paul, when he speaks of our redemption, says not that the half dead are cured (Eph. 2:5, 6; 5:14) but that those who were dead are raised up.” ~From Book II of the Institutes

Look Inside the Book

Book 2 of the Institutes is about the knowledge of God the redeemer—Jesus Christ. Calvin captures the completeness of our redemption, explaining the depths of our sinfulness and the ways that Jesus Christ is present in both the old and new covenants. The law is a picture of Christ’s righteousness, and the gospel is the declaration of Christ’s redemption of us. Whether he’s unpacking the ten commandments or describing Christ as prophet, priest, and king, Calvin makes Jesus and his work on the cross the center of our theology.

“Please remember that Calvin’s goal in writing the Institutes was not to distill out of Scripture the “theology things” that we all ought to be thinking. To do so would be to attempt to replace Scripture. Rather, his goal was to give us a map so that we could run back into Scripture and better understand what we find there. And as we read book II of the Institutes, what we find is that throughout Scripture what we should always see is Christ set before us.” ~From Ben Merkle’s Introduction

Book 3

“[Our] renewal, indeed, is not accomplished in a moment, a day, or a year, but by uninterrupted, sometimes even by slow progress God abolishes the remains of carnal corruption in His elect, cleanses them from pollution, and consecrates them as His temples, restoring all their inclinations to real purity, so that during their whole lives they may practice repentance, and know that death is the only termination to this warfare.” ~From Book III of the Institutes

Look Inside the Book

Book 3 of the Institutes is about the mode of procuring the grace of Christ, or what we might call individual salvation. Calvin does not get lost in technical terminology or relegate faith to mere intellectual belief. Instead, our individual salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit and results in faith, repentance, justification, and sanctification. Whether he is arguing against Catholic errors such as Purgatory or teaching about predestination or Christian liberty, Calvin shows the beauty of the utterly free forgiveness that we have in Jesus and how He who began a good work in us will surely complete it.

“But if you have picked up on any of the caricatures of John Calvin, you may be surprised to find him describing faith and repentance, justification and election, and holiness and heaven in ways that are startlingly moving. Do not let me mislead you, Calvin was a theologian and an academic. Calvin was a stern spiritual general of the church. His work is at war with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and he does not take the battle lightly. Paragraph after paragraph consists of volley after volley in which Calvin meticulously aims and fires the Word of God at sinful hearts, lofty arguments, and arrogant corruptions in the world and the church.... And yet, through the meticulous barrage, just when you might be tempted to think him some kind of Biblical or theological machine, his words crest again with an unmistakable light and warmth.” ~From Toby Sumpter’s Introduction

 

Book 4

“For as God, regenerating us in baptism, ingrafts us into the fellowship of His Church, and makes us His by adoption, so we have said that He performs the office of a provident parent, in continually supplying the food by which He may sustain and preserve us in the life to which He has begotten us by His word. Moreover, Christ is the only food of our soul, and, therefore, our heavenly Father invites us to Him, that, refreshed by communion with Him, we may ever and anon gather new vigor until we reach the heavenly immortality.” ~From Book IV of the Institutes

Look Inside the Book

Book 4 of the Institutes is about the external helps by which God brings us in fellowship with Christ, three of the most notable being the Church, the sacraments, and the civil government. For Calvin, the Christian walk is never something an individual does in isolation, but involves pastors, elders, and deacons who preach the word, administer the sacraments, and exercise church discipline. Furthermore, God uses the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to remind us of His grace towards us, and uses the magistrate as His deacon, taking vengeance on evil-doers and rewarding the righteous.

“John Calvin was one of the eminent servants of Christ in the history of the church, and we should cultivate a demeanor of gratitude whenever we are given the opportunity to reflect on his contributions.... Returning to the teaching of the great Reformer himself will be a great protection against this kind of foolishness—the error of claiming the heritage of great men that you have almost nothing in common with. And guarding against this error may not be as daunting as you thought. As C.S. Lewis once pointed out, the great books often offer a great deal more clarity than the commentaries on them do.” ~From Douglas Wilson’s Introduction

THE CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SERIES: The authors in the Christian Heritage Series paid a high price for the words you see before you. Not all paid with blood, but each spent his life fighting for the truth. This faithful sacrifice has become a rich inheritance for the Church in our day, even though it is often neglected. The Christian Heritage Series aims to put these important theological classics on every Christian’s bookshelf in colorful, well-crafted, and affordable volumes, with introductions written by those that love the books and their heritage.

AUTHOR: John Calvin

INTRODUCTION: Tim Harmon, Ben Merkle, Toby J. Sumpter, Douglas Wilson

TRANSLATOR: Henry Beveridge

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Douglas Wilson

PAGE COUNT: 400, 474, 736, 782

SIZE: 5.5x8.5"

BINDING: Paperback

ISBN-10: 1952410541, 195241055X, 1952410568, 1952410576

ISBN-13: 978-1952410543, 978-1952410550, 978-1952410567, 978-1952410574

PUB. DATE: October 27, 2020 (first published in 1559)

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SKU: 36419990643

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4.4 ★★★★★
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Amanda Greathouse
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 3
3.5 stars, A little boring to say the least.
Format: Kindle
Wow so I'm not sure where to begin on this one. This was a very different take on the legend of Arthur and Excalibur. This is told from the point of view of Morgan the sister of Arthur. Honestly the first 50% of this book is world building and character building which unfortunately was super boring for me. Morgan to me was a female MC that had a hard time in believing in herself. Sometimes taking too long to understand exactly what was going on around her. Draven was also a different male MC, like I couldn't put my finger on him and what he was all about. It was not until the last 10% of the book did we get some answers on the mystery that is Draven. The other 50% of the book centered around this big journey with everyone having a different motive. We see a spark of magic around this time that had me excited but then we never expanded upon that and what it could mean for the female MC. I feel like I want to read the second book just to see where this goes, but the spice was probably a 2 out of 5. Side characters are ok, Lancelet was fun but I almost felt like I wanted more.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2023
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Krystina
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
A bewitching retelling of Arthurian legend!
Format: Kindle
In a land where the Fae have nearly become only a legend and those who still posses even a morsel of the blood are few and far between, Morgan finds herself cast aside by most of society due to her rumored half-Fae lineage, including her brother, King Arthur. With the kingdom at the brink of war, Arthur entrusts her with a quest to retrieve a Fae weapon of legendary power: the sword of Perun, Excalibur. Accompanied by men she loathes, Captain Kairos Draven and Ragnar Whitehorn, she embarks on her long and unbeknownst perilous journey, only to find that things she once believed to be myth are in fact very real. With devastating twists, omitted truths, witty banter and fierce action, Queen of Roses leaves you begging to know more about the secrets of Aercanum! Wow, wow, wow! Going into this story, I did not realize that it was going to be a retelling of Arthurian legend, especially not one with a fantastical twist! The unique spin almost gave me The Witcher vibes and I think adding Fae into the mix was quite interesting. I knew the basics of the legend but after reading this book, it has piqued my interest and makes me want to learn more about it. My attention was snatched as soon as I finished the prologue and I knew that I was going to devour this story. I truly enjoyed the gender swaps and even how Arthur was portrayed as villainous. Morgan’s past and even her parts of her present is absolutely heartbreaking, and I felt for her at times. I can only recall one other book that made me hate characters the way I despised Florian and Arthur, leaving me with my blood boiling and feeling disgusted. Even after finishing the book, Draven is still a mystery to me and I cannot figure out how to feel about him. I guess they just means that the author did an excellent job at conveying each character’s persona! The rich world building and imagery made it easy for me to visualize the places that the group visited along their journey. I am truly engulfed in this story and I cannot wait to see wait fate awaits Morgan and how the Fae will be even more incorporated in the next book!. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2023
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Tiana
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Enchanting
Format: Kindle
"Queen of Roses" by Briar Boleyn is a delightful and refreshing reimagining of the classic tale of King Arthur, with a captivating twist that places the spotlight on Morgan, a character who has often been overshadowed in traditional retellings. Boleyn's creative decision to shift the narrative perspective to Morgan breathes new life into the story, offering readers an intriguing and compelling look at the Arthurian world from an entirely different angle. One of the most commendable aspects of this book is its incorporation of Fae elements, which adds an enchanting layer of magic and mystery to the already familiar Arthurian setting. Boleyn skillfully weaves the world of the Fae into the narrative, creating a captivating backdrop against which the events of the story unfold. This addition not only adds depth to the world-building but also provides ample opportunities for twists and turns that keep readers thoroughly engrossed. However, while the book boasts numerous strengths, it does have one noticeable flaw: the characterization of Morgan. While it is reasonable to create a flawed and complex protagonist, it appears that at times, Morgan's character becomes overly difficult and hard to relate to. Her persistently negative perception of one of the main male characters, who is a potential love interest, despite his efforts to support and assist her, may come across as somewhat irrational and could test the patience of some readers. Striking a balance between a strong, independent character and one who can recognize genuine support and affection could have enhanced the overall reader experience. Nonetheless, the allure of "Queen of Roses" lies in its innovative approach to the Arthurian legend and its skillful blending of fantasy elements into a familiar narrative. Boleyn's evocative prose draws readers into a world where magic, destiny, and fate entwine, leaving us eager to uncover the mysteries that unfold within the pages. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2023
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Stephanie
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
An action-packed dark romantasy
Format: Kindle
I loved this book! Queen of Roses is an Arthurian-inspired dark romantasy that is the first book in the Blood of Fae series. The story follows Morgan, the princess of Camelot who is rumored to be part fae. Fueled by prejudiced hatred and a mistrust of fae blood, Morgan’s abusive father strips her of her birthright and hands it to her half-brother, Arthur. Instead of becoming queen, Morgan is commanded to join the temple of the goddesses when she comes of age. However, Arthur turns into a psychopathic, power-hungry, fae-hating king as he ages. He develops malevolent plans and commands Morgan to find an ancient weapon with legendary power. Although Morgan is wary of Arthur’s intentions, she embraces the opportunity to go on a journey and potentially change her fate. The story picks up from there and we follow Morgan on her quest to find the ancient relic. It’s full of high stakes adventure, mystery, tension, banter, forced proximity, hidden magic, self discovery, and betrayal. This first installment of the series intricately develops the world building and character development. There’s little romance in this book, but it is evident that it is a slow burn that will continue to develop throughout the remainder of the series. Overall, I loved the world building, the epic fantasy, Morgan’s journey of self discovery, and all of the twists and turns that set the stage for the future installments. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2024
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AlynReads
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 4
Arthurian Fae Quest…say less.
Format: Kindle
A fae centered Arthurian tale unlike any I’ve read so far. The author did a great job at descriptive world building, with scenes easily playing out in my minds eye. There was plenty of action, suspense, and even a touch of horror. An enemies to lovers, slow burn romance, a quest, with plot twist and turns aplenty. There was a love triangle, which I’m not usually a fan of but, it played out well in this story line. The FMC, Morgan Pendragon, was so blatantly naïve, yet I typically expect as much in a ‘book one’ of a series, especially one that features a fairly sheltered princess. I was happy to read that in spite of this, she still showed a strong sense of morals, fire, and spine. Now our MMC? Kairos Draven, aka Void’s Edge. Oh, how I’m a sucker for a smoking’ hot grumpy warrior alpha with a witty mouth, and a strong sense of “touch her and die” attitude, so you know who held all my cards. That ending? Just made me swoon all the harder. Now add a battlecat that rivals the size of a horse…and well Ms. Briar Boleyn you have well and truly stolen my heart. I’m excited to see where the story goes from here, and follow along to see more of the characters growth. I went into this story fairly blind, and I think I enjoyed it all the more because of it. Once the story got going, it had me in an absolute chokehold and it was difficult to put down.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024

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