CALVIN FOR TODAY

Description

EDITED BY JOEL R BEEKE

Calvin for the 21st Century is an edited compilation of the stimulating addresses given at the Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary’s annual conference in August 2009, at Grand Rapids, Michigan. The book contains a wealth of information and practical applications about how to use Calvin’s thought in our challenging day. Topics include Calvin on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, missions, the church, Scripture, the Spirit’s work, redemption, ethics, believers’ benefits, the early church, reprobation, marriage, and reforming the church. A highlight is Ligon Duncan’s chapter on “The Resurgence of Calvinism in America.” The book concludes with a summary chapter by the editor, Joel Beeke, who expounds twelve reasons Calvin is important for us today. Additional writers include Jerry Bilkes, Michael Haykin, Nelson Kloosterman, David Murray, Joseph Pipa, Neil Pronk, Donald Sinnema, Derek Thomas, and Cornel Venema.

If you can afford only one of the books published on Calvin that commemorated the 500th anniversary of his birth, this is the one to get! Written at laypeople’s level, and retaining a flavor of the spoken style, it is informative, stimulating, and practical.

Joel R. Beeke (Ph.D. Westminster Theological Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, and author of numerous books.

Diana Kleyn is a member of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is the mother of three children, and has a heart for helping children understand and embrace the truths of God’s Word. She writes monthly for the children’s section in The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth magazine, and is co-author with Joel R. Beeke of the series Building on the Rock.

“This superb anthology of essays exploring the relevance of John Calvin for our times is exactly what we are coming to expect from the faithful, burgeoning Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and their faculty—a strong blend of mature scholarship from hearts promptly and sincerely offered to God. These essays, from one of the most successful North American conferences during the 2009 Calvin Quincentenary cycle, also comprise one of the finest literary offerings on the subject. Readers are given an expert introduction to Calvin as exegete, reformer, preacher, theologian, leader, missionary, ethicist, and to his enduring influence. It is a pleasure to read, it contains fine research, and it depicts the practical side of Calvin wonderfully. I am pleased to commend it heartily to a reading public, who assuredly will discover more about Calvin in future years from essays of this quality. Volumes, conferences, and leaders like these will advance that much needed recovery. Moreover, it presents a Calvin who is much harder to hate or ignore—perhaps making this book and its thought as dangerous and influential as Calvin’s.” – David Hall

“2009 was the year of the 500th Anniversary of the birth of John Calvin and throughout the world the opportunity was seized to remember the great achievements of this man who loved God, and tell them to whoever would listen. This book of essays reminds us of the richness of Calvin’s accomplishments and the fruit of his labors, his goal being the pervasive reformation of personal and ecclesiastical life in the light of the Scriptures and thus to impact the world. How great was his vision of life lived under the Word of God; each of these essays casts its light on Calvin’s various astonishing accomplishments. They explain and commend Calvin warmly, and take us beyond the Reformer to the God of the Reformer.” – Geoff Thomas