William J. Bouwsma (1923–2004)

The really isn't a biography of Calvin so much as it is an analysis of his religious creed, with particular attention to 16th century "anxiety" and its personal effect on Calvin's religious beliefs. The book's emphasis is strongly theological, with minimal attention to Calvin's biography and even less attention to the historical setting within Reformation Europe and in Geneva itself. I would have liked to have seen more on the relationships between Calvin and Luther, Melancthon, and Zwingli among others; on Calvin's role in the martyrdom of Michael Servetus; and on the historical and cultural setting within Geneva. Additionally, this is definitely not a "beginner's book" and presupposes a greater familiarity with the Institutes, Commentaries, and other writings than the casual reader will be likely to have. On the plus side, though, it has encouraged me to download an inexpensive translation of the Institutes for Kindle browsing.… (mehr)