John Calvin at 500: Rare Books from the collection at Christian Theological Seminary

Six historic volumes of Calvin’s work reside in the CTS library thanks to a gift to the seminary from Jonathan Byrd. Other generous individuals have given the library an important early edition of Calvin's Institutes and several early print editions of the Greek New Testament.

The writings of John Calvin (1509-1564) were among the most important written texts that systematized and propagated the Protestant and Reformed reformations in 16th and 17th century Europe. Calvin was a second-generation reformer. Freed from the early conflict of the initial break with the Roman Catholic Church, Calvin was able to provide a scholarly foundation for the Reformation mottos: “Grace alone”, “Faith alone”, and “Scripture alone”. Amongst the denominations tracing their roots through Calvin are the Presbyterians, Reformed churches, Congregationalists, United Churches of Christ, Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Calvin believed that the marks of the true church were sound preaching and hearing and right celebration of the sacraments. Preaching and worshipful response were central to his program to reform the church. He was convinced that without sound preaching and an educated laity the Reformation could not go forward. To promote this end, Calvin prepared books to support pastors and educate laypeople. His Institutes of the Christian Religion was intended to be a theology text to aid in Biblical interpretation and to inform congregants. He wanted each scripture passage to be read in the context of the overarching messages of the scriptures.

The Institutes of the Christian Religion has been one of the most widely studied systematic theologies for the past 440 years. Calvin's final Latin edition was published in 1559 (the second printing of the first English translation ([562] is part of the CTS holdings). Calvin also wrote commentaries on most books of the Old Testament and all books of the New Testament except Revelation and II and III John.

Some of the commentaries, like his commentaries on the Pauline epistles, were authored by Calvin in manuscript form, as one would expect. Other "commentaries," such as his work on Isaiah, were transcribed from his lectures then revised by Calvin.

Calvin’s teachings were also foundational in the development of modern Europe and North America. His concept of the separation of  the church and civil government  - each remaining independent of the other whilst recognizing each other’s legitimate authority and supporting each other within their own spheres of influence - transformed Western societies. His affirmations of religious toleration, representative government, constitutional monarchy, the rights and liberties of citizens, and a religiously grounded work ethic led to the Industrial and Scientific Revolutions in the West.

Calvinists tended to be at the forefront of political and social resistance to tyranny. This was the case for Puritans in England, Dutch citizens fighting for freedom from Spain, Huguenots in France, Presbyterians in Scotland and many of the founders of the United States of America.

Some of the greatest philosophers, writers and Christian leaders have considered themselves Calvinists. Amongst them are: John Knox, Oliver Cromwell, John Owen, John Milton, Jonathan Edwards, David Brainerd, George Whitefield, William Carey, William Wilberforce, Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Shaftsbury, Charles Spurgeon and David Livingstone.

The following rare books by John Calvin are held in the CTS Heritage Collection:

(Click on the title for an image and more information)

Paul's Epistles
Latin (Geneva: Ioannis Crispini, 1557, (actually published 1563))
This is a 1st edition of final revision of Pauline commentaries.

Institutes of the Christian
Religion, English, (London: Richarde Harrison, 1562)
The 1st Latin edition was Crispin, 1563 The 1st Latin edition was Crispin, 1551, French translation 1552, revised Latin 1559.

Jeremiah and Lamentations
Latin (Geneva: Vignon, 1576)
The 1st Latin edition was Robert Stephanus, 1555, French translation 1555.

Isaiah
English (London: Felix Kyngston, 1609)
This is the 1st English translation of Calvin's commentary on Isaiah.

Harmony upon the three evangelists
English (London: Thomas Adams, 1610)
This is the 1st English translation of Calvin's commentary on the synoptic gospels.

Additional materials on display

To compliment these commentaries, we are displaying copies of some of Greek New Testaments similar to ones which Calvin would have used or consulted:
(Click on the title for an image and more information)

Complutensian 1514/1522
Erasmus 1522
Erasmus 1540
Stephanus 1569

Later editions of Calvin's work on display

Secondary literature consulted for the annotations in this exhibit include:

• T.H.L. Parker. Calvin's New Testament Commentaries (Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
• T.H.L. Parker. Calvin's Old Testament Commentaries (Westminster/John Knox, c1986)
• John T. McNeill, ed. "Introduction" to John Calvin. Institutes of the Christian Religion (Westminster, 1960).