A Review of ‘John Calvin’ by Simonetta Carr
March 5, 2009
As a parent, I am always looking for reading resources for my children which are true to the Christian faith without being preachy or moralistic. One such new resource, for ages 7-10, is in the church library: John Calvin by Simonetta Carr and beautifully illustrated by Emanuele Taglietti. This new book is the first in a proposed series, the ‘Christian Biographes for Young Readers’ series, from Reformation Heritage Books. Augustine, John Knox, and B. B. Warfield are among other anticipated volumes. This one came out first in honor of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth (July 10, 1509).
The book has much to commend. Clearly written, Mrs. Carr deftly and ably distills Calvin’s life and writings, highlighting the main points, noting his weaknesses, and drawing some important lessons from Calvin and the Reformation. In addition, she casts the story within the larger historic framework of the Reformation and Europe, noting important reformers like Martin Bucer and Theodore Beza as well as Roman Catholic foils such as Cardinal Sadoleto. The illustrations and pictures add depth to the story, giving clarity to Calvin’s home, Geneva, and the Geneva Academy in Calvin’s day. The broad layout, chapter tabs, time line, and ‘Did You Know’ section at the end all make the book user-friendly, adding depth to the story and explaining some things not common to us today. One such word was a game Calvin often played called ‘quoits’ similar to our game of horseshoes.
While this book is written for pre-teen children, most everyone would benefit from reading this book. It gives a concise, abridged version of Calvin’s life and importance. Certainly all who are members of a church named in honor of this great reformer should have a working knowledge of his life. This book will provide that. Also, children will certainly benefit from hearing of a man who lived a life well spent. Calvin worked hard, studied hard, and produced vast resources which the church still uses today. Calvin is definitely a model for young children to emulate.
I would encourage you to check out this book to read to your children or have your children read it. While this serves as an introduction to Calvin’s life, it may be a springboard to reading other hisitorical Reformation accounts as well. Happy reading!
New Library Arrivals
February 27, 2009
Because He Loves Me, Elyse Fitzpatrick
Christless Christianity, Michael Horton
Crossway Comprehesive Concordance of the Holy Bible: ESV
John Calvin, Simonetta Carr (Ages 8-12)
Reformation Heroes, Diana Kleyn and Joel Beeke
Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges
Sacred Parenting, Gary Thomas
A Communion Poem
October 24, 2008
While reading Philip Ryken’s book, City on a Hill, I came across the following poem by Mark Noll. The poem tangibly captures our desperate need for God’s grace, and it reminds us how that grace is manifest to us at the Lord’s Table. As always, I’m anxious for the feast that will be set for Sunday morning.
Note – Scots’ form is a method of communion in which people come forward to tables in the front of the sanctuary to receive the sacrament.
Scot’s form in the suburbs
by Mark A. Noll
The sedenatary Presbyterians
awoke, arose, and filed to tables spread
with white, to humble bits that showed how God
almighty had decided to embrace
humanity, and why these clean, well-fed,
well-dressed suburbanites might need his grace.
The pious cruel, the petty gossipers
and callous climbers on the make, the wives
with icy tongues and husbands with their hearts
of stone, the ones who battle drink and do
not always win, the power lawyers mute
before this awful bar of mercy, boys
uncertain of themselves and girls not sure
of where they fit, the poor and rich hemmed in
alike by cash, physicians waiting to
be healed, two women side by side – the one
with unrequited longing for a child,
the other terrified by signs within
of life, the saintly weary weary in
pursuit of good, the academics (soft
and cossetted) who posture over words,
the travelers coming home from chasing wealth
or power or wantonness, the mothers
choked by dual duties, parents nearly crushed
by children died or children lost, and some
with cancer-ridden bodies, some with spikes
of pain in chest or back or knee or mind
or heart. They come, O Christ, they come
to you.
They came, they sat, they listened to the words,
“for you my body broken.” Then they ate
and turned away – the spent unspent, the dead
recalled, a hint of color on the psychic
cheek – from tables groaning under weight
of tiny cups and little crumbs of bread.
The ESV Study Bible
October 23, 2008
The much anticipated ESV Study Bible has arrived (see introductory video below). From my own perusal through it, it seems it will be a tremendously helpful resource for anyone interested in serious study of God’s Word.
Although not explicitly “Reformed” (such as Ligonier Ministries’ The Reformation Study Bible), it will fit well on the shelf of any Reformed believer as it affirms a covenantal understanding of Scripture and the sovereignty of God over all things, including the salvation of men.
For example, the notes on Ephesians 1:4 say:
He chose us in him means that the Father chose Christians in the Son (Christ), and this took place in eternity past, before the foundation of the world. This indicates that for all eternity the Father has had the role of leading and directing among the persons of the Trinity, even though Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are equal in deity and attributes. God’s initiative in redeeming the believer from sin and death was not an arbitrary or whimsical decision but something God had planned all along “in Christ.” Since God chose his people in his love, they can take no credit for their salvation. God was determined to have them as his own.
You’ll find a solid covenantal perspective in the introductory article, Overview of the Bible: A Survey of the History of Salvation, written by Vern S. Poythress.
One other note on the Bible – it’s big. Really big. Almost 3,000 pages.
This bible will be a tremendous resource for all Christians and I heartily recommend it.