Calvin: A Guide for the Perplexed

John Calvin is a major theologian of the Christian Church, but one who is also the subject of widespread misunderstanding and misinterpretation. He is also a figure whom other theologians either seek to 'capture' to endorse their own (often very different positions) or whom they seek to vilify. His situation in late medievalism is often overlooked. So there is an important need to re-situate Calvin. A Guide for the Perplexed attempts to do this in the context of providing a 'middle level' introduction to his thought. The need for such re-situating will be stressed in the first Chapter, 'Orientation'. As befits the series, attention will be focussed on Calvin's thought, not on his personal character or career, though reference will be made to these as necessary, and the Introduction will include a brief overview of his life and times. Attention will be made not only to Calvin's theological positions, but also to the philosophy intertwined within them, the significance and interest of which is often overlooked.