Institutes of the Christian Religion - John Calvin

Published as an audiobook by Blackstone Audio, Inc: 2013.

First published 1536/1559 in Latin, 1541/1560 in French.

Translated into English by Henry Beveridge, 1845.

Audiobook narrated by Bob Souer.

There is a real artifice to creating a yearly book list, that is sometimes more apparent to me than others. In terms of the placement of Institutes at this point in this list in this year, it becomes very apparent to me, because this is an audibook I started listening to in (I seem to recall) 2024. That means that I actually listened to the vast majority of this book (which at normal speed is 67 hours long - I did listen to parts of it at 1.25 speed) in 2024 and 2025, and yet, because it was finished now, I add it to my 2026 list. Potentially I could have divided it into four reviews, matching the four books/volumes of the overall work, but as it is gathered together under one title, I'm mostly happy with my decision.

Still, I'm happy to be able to add it to any list, because this has been an investment(!), and one that I am glad I have made.

Institutes of the Christian Religion is a well-known theological title, up there with The City of God by St Augustine as one of those classics that have been very influential in the history of Christianity. The City of God is forever on my To Be Read pile, and one of these days (or more likely, one or two of these years) I will work my way through it too!

John Calvin, writing in the middle of the Reformation era, sets out to give a systematic account of Christian theology and thought, taking the time to dig into all of what he considers to be the main areas of doctrine, and particularly keen to counter what he sees as the heresies of the 'popish' tradition. So the four books are: 'Of the Knowledge of God the Creator' , 'Of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to The Fathers Under the Law, and There After to Us Under the Gospel', 'The Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ, the Benefits It Confers, and The Effects Resulting from it' and 'Of The External Means or Helps by Which God Allures Us Into Fellowship with Christ, and Keeps Us in it' (the Church). Under these different sections Calvin comments on everything from the doctrine of Creation, to prayer, to self-denial, to the credibility of Scripture, to the ten commandments, to civil government.... anything he feels is important for the readers in his context to know.

It is very thoughtfully written, and insightful.

Of course, with Calvin being the father of what has become known as Calvinism, he does spend some time talking about Calvinist doctrines such as predestination and infant baptism, which I think in the first instance he does not press quite as strongly as some of his followers, and in the second instance is one of the least convincing parts of his arguments. I often comment that we should not feel obligated to fully agree with anyone's theology, no matter how influential, because God's Word should be more important than what any person thinks. I think Calvin is incredible, and have pulled multiple insights from his work over these past few years, but it doesn't mean I will agree with everything he says.

Where Calvin is his strongest is in drawing lines in the sand, and calling believers to persevere in the face of persecution. This makes sense considering his context of actually facing severe persecution or death. So Calvin encourages believers that in order "To withstand these assaults, faith arms and fortifies itself with the word of God. When the temptation suggested is, that God is an enemy because he afflicts [and Calvin makes clear that sometimes God does afflict for his good purposes], faith replies, that while he afflicts he is merciful, his chastening proceeding more from love than anger." (Book 3, chapter 2, section 21).

With the era he is writing in being so revolutionary, it is also almost amusing to hear the derogatory terms he calls those who disagree with things he feels are clearly scriptural. He calls the 'popish church' blind, ignorant, foolish... at times he almost rants. But once again, in context it makes sense.

Overall, the Institutes are a brilliant resource for the church, and a simple review cannot do it justice (especially considering how long it has taken to listen to). I have no doubt that taking the time to listen to it has in some way shaped my thinking, and it will be a resource I return to (if not read cover to cover again) multiple times in the future.

Completed 13 February 2026.

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