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Institutes of the Christian Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)

by Jean Calvin (1509–1564)

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  • 22 hours to read
  • 50 chapters
  • Reading level: 10th to 12th grade

"Institutes of the Christian Religion (Vol. 1 of 2)" by Jean Calvin is a work of systematic theology first published in Latin in 1536. Written initially as an introductory textbook on Protestant doctrine, it defends Reformation believers against persecution and false accusations of heresy. Calvin covers fundamental Christian teachings including the Ten Commandments, sacraments, and justification by faith, while vigorously challenging Roman Catholic doctrine. Expanding through multiple editions until 1559, it became the foundational text for Reformed churches and remains one of Protestantism's most influential theological works.

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  • Theology, Doctrinal · Early works to 1800
  • Reformed Church · Doctrines · Early works to 1800

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Book I: On the Knowledge of God the Creator

Argument.

The first book treats of the knowledge of God the Creator; but, this being chiefly manifested in the creation of man, man also is made the subject of discussion. Thus the principal topics of the whole treatise are two—the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of man. In the first chapter, they are considered together; in the following chapters, separately; yet some things are introduced, which may be referred to either or both. What respects the Scripture and images may belong to the knowledge of God; what respects the formation of the world, the holy angels, and the devils, to the knowledge of man; and what respects the manner in which God governs the world, to both.

On the first of these topics, the knowledge of God, this book shows,

First, What kind of knowledge God himself requires—Chap. II.

Secondly, Where it must be sought—Chap. III.‐IX., as follows:

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Contents

Show all 50 chapters
  1. Front Matter
  2. Book I: On the Knowledge of God the Creator
  3. Book I: On the Knowledge of God the Creator
  4. Chapter I: The Connection Between The Knowledge Of God And The Knowledge: Of Ourselves
  5. Chapter II: The Nature And Tendency Of The Knowledge Of God
  6. Chapter III: The Human Mind Naturally Endued With The Knowledge Of God
  7. Chapter IV: This Knowledge Extinguished Or Corrupted, Partly By Ignorance: Partly By Wickedness
  8. Chapter V: The Knowledge Of God Conspicuous In The Formation And Continual: Government Of The World
  9. Chapter VI: The Guidance And Teaching Of The Scripture Necessary To Lead: To The Knowledge Of God The Creator
  10. Chapter VIII: Rational Proofs To Establish The Belief Of The Scripture
  11. Chapter IX: The Fanaticism Which Discards The Scripture, Under The: Pretence Of Resorting To Immediate Revelations, Subversive Of Every Principle Of Piety
  12. Chapter X: All Idolatrous Worship Discountenanced In The Scripture, By Its: Exclusive Opposition Of The True God To All The Fictitious Deities Of The Heathen
  13. Chapter XI: Unlawfulness Of Ascribing To God A Visible Form. All Idolatry: A Defection From The True God
  14. Chapter XII: God Contradistinguished From Idols, That He May Be Solely And: Supremely Worshipped
  15. Chapter XIII: One Divine Essence, Containing Three Persons; Taught In The: Scriptures From The Beginning
  16. Chapter XIV: The True God Clearly Distinguished In The Scripture From All: Fictitious Ones By The Creation Of The World
  17. Chapter XV: The State Of Man At His Creation, The Faculties Of The Soul: The Divine Image, Free Will, And The Original Purity Of His Nature
  18. Chapter XVI: God’s Preservation And Support Of The World By His Power, And: His Government Of Every Part Of It By His Providence
  19. Chapter XVII: The Proper Application Of This Doctrine To Render It Useful: To Us
  20. Chapter XVIII: God Uses The Agency Of The Impious, And Inclines Their: Minds To Execute His Judgments, Yet Without The Least Stain Of His Perfect Purity
  21. Chapter I: The Fall And Defection Of Adam The Cause Of The Curse Inflicted: On All Mankind, And Of Their Degeneracy From Their Primitive Condition. The Doctrine Of Original Sin
  22. Chapter II: Man, In His Present State, Despoiled Of Freedom Of Will, And: Subjected To A Miserable Slavery
  23. Chapter III: Every Thing That Proceeds From The Corrupt Nature Of Man: Worthy Of Condemnation
  24. Chapter IV: The Operation Of God In The Hearts Of Men
  25. Chapter V: A Refutation Of The Objections Commonly Urged In Support Of: Free Will
  26. Chapter VI: Redemption For Lost Man To Be Sought In Christ
  27. Chapter VII: The Law Given, Not To Confine The Ancient People To Itself: But To Encourage Their Hope Of Salvation In Christ, Till The Time Of His Coming
  28. Chapter VIII: An Exposition Of The Moral Law
  29. Chapter IX: Christ, Though Known To The Jews Under The Law, Yet Clearly: Revealed Only In The Gospel
  30. Chapter X: The Similarity Of The Old And New Testaments
  31. Chapter XI: The Difference Of The Two Testaments
  32. Chapter XII: The Necessity Of Christ Becoming Man In Order To Fulfil The: Office Of Mediator
  33. Chapter XIII: Christ’s Assumption Of Real Humanity
  34. Chapter XIV: The Union Of The Two Natures Constituting The Person Of The: Mediator
  35. Chapter XV: The Consideration Of Christ’s Three Offices, Prophetical: Regal, And Sacerdotal, Necessary To Our Knowing The End Of His Mission From The Father, And The Benefits Which He Confers On Us
  36. Chapter XVI: Christ’s Execution Of The Office Of A Redeemer To Procure Our: Salvation. His Death, Resurrection, And Ascension To Heaven
  37. Chapter XVII: Christ Truly And Properly Said To Have Merited The Grace Of: God And Salvation For Us
  38. Book III: On the Manner of Receiving the Grace of Christ, the Benefits: Which We Derive from It, and the Effects Which Follow It
  39. Book III: On the Manner of Receiving the Grace of Christ, the Benefits: Which We Derive from It, and the Effects Which Follow It
  40. Chapter I: What Is Declared Concerning Christ Rendered Profitable To Us By: The Secret Operation Of The Spirit
  41. Chapter II: Faith Defined, And Its Properties Described
  42. Chapter III: On Repentance
  43. Chapter IV: The Sophistry And Jargon Of The Schools Concerning Repentance: Very Remote From The Purity Of The Gospel. On Confession And Satisfaction
  44. Chapter V: Indulgences And Purgatory. The Supplements To Their Doctrine Of: Satisfactions
  45. Chapter VI: The Life Of A Christian. Scriptural Arguments And Exhortations: To It
  46. Chapter VII: Summary Of The Christian Life. Self‐Denial
  47. Chapter VIII: Bearing The Cross, Which Is A Branch Of Self‐Denial
  48. Chapter IX: Meditation On The Future Life
  49. Chapter X: The Right Use Of The Present Life And Its Supports
  50. Chapter XI: Justification By Faith. The Name And Thing Defined
  51. Chapter XII: A Consideration Of The Divine Tribunal, Necessary To A: Serious Conviction Of Gratuitous Justification
  52. Chapter XIII: Two Things Necessary To Be Observed In Gratuitous: Justification

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About this edition

This free edition of Institutes of the Christian Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) by Jean Calvin comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #45001, released 2014-02-24. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750), Philosophy & Ethics, Religion/Spirituality.

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