Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (or “Principles of the Christian Religionâ€) is not strictly speaking a summa theologiae (“summary of theologyâ€), but more precisely (and pastorally!) a summa pietatis (“summary of piety/godlinessâ€). It is a book about Christian piety, or how to rightly cultivate godliness and true spirituality in the fear of the LORD, learning to more biblically and effectively love and serve God and neighbor by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a book aimed at making all biblical theology pastoral and practical for the glory of the Triune God!
Church historian Philip Schaff said of Calvin’s Institutes: “This book is the masterpiece of a precocious genius of commanding intellectual and spiritual depth and power. It is one of the few truly classical productions in the history of theology, and has given its author the double title of the Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas of the Reformed Church.†Calvin’s Institutes “holds a place in the short list of books that have notably affected the course of history†(J. T. McNeill), has been characterized as the Reformation’s “most eloquent theological statement†(S. Ozement), and is “one of the masterpieces of world literature (Nichols). The publication of the Institutes during the Reformation was “distinctive, both eloquent and accessible. As a literary voice on doctrine, Calvin was alone†(B. Gordon).
Join Pastor Charles R. Biggs in this study of Calvin’s Institutes. Below you will find reading assignments, outlines, class lectures, and marker board images from each week when Pastor Biggs taught in September 2017 – May 2018.
Text: The Institutes of the Christian Religion (1541, Banner of Truth edition)
Suggested Pre-Reading:
- Reformation Piety
- The Life and Teaching of John Calvin Part 1 and Part 2
- Introduction to the Institutes
- Bibliography
Class 1:Â John Calvin: Pastor and Pilgrim
Outline  Audio  Class Notes
Class 2:Â Introduction and Overview of the Institutes of the Christian Religion
Outline  Audio  Class Notes
Class 3:Â Prefatory Letter and Chapter One: Knowledge of God
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 4:Â Chapter One: Knowledge of God-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 5: Chapter Two: Knowledge of Man and Free Will-Part 1
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 6:Â Chapter Two: Knowledge of Man and Free Will-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 7:Â Chapter Three: The Law of God-Part 1
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 8:Â Chapter Three: The Law of God-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 9: Chapter Four: Faith, with an Explanation of the Apostles’ Creed-Part 1
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 10: Chapter Four: Faith with an Explanation of the Apostles’ Creed-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 11:Â Question and Answer Session #1
Terms of the Institutes of Christian Religion  Audio
Class 12: Chapter Four: Faith with an Explanation of the Apostles’ Creed-Part 3
Class 13:Â Chapter Five: Repentance
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 14: Chapter Six: Justification by Faith and the Merits of Works-Part 1
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 15:Â Chapter Six: Justification by Faith and the Merits of Works-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board  Supplement: Justification and Sanctification
Class 16:Â Chapter Seven: The Similarity and Difference between the Old and New Testaments
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 17:Â Chapter Eight: The Predestination and Providence of God
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 18:Â Chapter Nine: Prayer, with an Explanation of Our Lord’s Prayer
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 19:Â Chapter Ten, Eleven, and Twelve: The Sacraments/Baptism/The Lord’s Supper-Part 1
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 20:Â Chapter Ten, Eleven, and Twelve: The Sacraments/Baptism/The Lord’s Supper-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 21:Â Chapter Thirteen and Fourteen: The Five Ceremonies Falsely Called Sacraments/Christian Freedom
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 22:Â Chapter Fifteen and Sixteen: The Power of the Church/Civil Government
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 23:Â Chapter Seventeen: The Christian Life-Part 1
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board
Class 24:Â Chapter Seventeen: The Christian Life-Part 2
Outline/Homework  Audio  Marker Board  John Calvin and the Reformation of Piety