John Calvin (1509–1564)

5 star because of the impact of this book (actually 4 books/volumes) on Protestant Christianity and what it attempted to accomplish. This book is meant as a survey of the Christian faith for those in the Reformed tradition during the 16th century. It would not pass as an academic work today, but nor was intended to do this. For that reason, one needs to look past the ad hominem arguments and generally proof-texting of Scripture. Calvin dealt with the exegesis in his commentaries, and so more detail should be expected there. The reader should also appreciate the context. Calvin is writing to guide Protestant Christians who must have answers for why they reject Roman Catholicism. So, much of Calvin's attention, especially in book 4, is given to critique (to put it mildly) of the papacy and RC system, with regard to soteriology, sacraments, the priesthood, and just about anything else one can think of.

While citing the church fathers from time to time, Calvin leans heavily on Augustine as his primary ancient authority. This comes with strengths and weaknesses. A major weakness, from my perspective, is an embrace of an exhaustive, meticulous view of God's sovereignty. This leads Calvin to assert (and in this regard he does more asserting than arguing) not only that God is the cause, directly or indirectly, of everything that happens in creation history (both good and evil), but also that God has two wills, one revealed and one secret. This latter assertion is especially problematic, since, as others have pointed out, it locates God's goodness in his will (i.e., whatever God wills is "good" because God willed it), rather than his moral character. This means that God ends up ordaining sin and evil (although Calvinists would likely appeal to mystery and a compatibilist view of human free will in articulating this). A dual-willed God is a serious theological dilemma. But that aside, the use of Scripture to support Calvin's view of divine determinism is weak, and again, he tends on these issues to assert rather than argue (relevant texts are Rom 9, John 6, Eph 1, etc.). He seems, for example, to assume individual soteriology when context would more naturally lead to corporate and missional applications.

I was expecting Calvin's arguments for his soteriology, including his definitions of predestination and election to be stronger, but I realized he was more or less outlining these almost for advanced catechism purposes and not to make theological arguments that would stand scrutiny, especially recent arguments. It is notable that Calvin departs significantly from the first three centuries of Christian theology, as did Augustine, regarding his view of human free will and responsibility. And Calvin identifies several times that he is confused at the lack of coherence he interprets in the writings of the early church fathers before Augustine. I think more accurately, Calvin just doesn't like what they stated.

I was initially going to give this a 4 star rating due to the weak argumentation for his view of sovereignty (not simply that I disagree with it, but that he doesn't argue it well). But I changed my mind to give Calvin 5 stars for the reasons I noted at the outset. It also needs to be noted that Calvin does very good work in many other areas of explaining his theology. His section on the Lord's Supper as "real presence" is compelling and well argued. He also inserts pastoral exhortations at various places throughout, almost as expressions of praise (sermon-like style). There's lots to like in this very famous work of Calvin's and I'm glad I took the time to read it.… (more)

I find Calvin's Commentaries to be excellent for personal study and reflection, a valuable source for sermon preparation~ to have my mind stimulated, enhanced clarity to my studies, meditations and reflection.
It is the coming to both the wine press, where the juice is pressed from the ripened fruit of the vine, and to the cellar where we are refreshed by the fermented and matured libation with richness in color, layers of depth, the delicious savoring, and enjoyment that which will make the heart glad and the soul refreshed, nourished and healthy.… (more)