All things Calvin

These past two weeks Reformed bloggers have been buzzing with the coverage of many important events surrounding the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth this year. Yes, Calvin is turning 500 this year! It's his quincentennary! To be exact, his birthday will be celebrated on July 10, 2009.

The sixteenth century Reformator is no doubt the most influential figure in the history of the church. His life, piety, theology, and action have had continuing, profound effects in various private and public domains both within and beyond the church which were transformed as a result.

This year is a very opportune time to read the Institutes for those of us who haven't done so, or just read a few sections of his masterpiece. It is also a good time to go deep into the essential tenets of the Reformed theology, knowing that there is a great incentive to do so namely there are hundreds of thousands of people out there who are doing the same thing this year.

Below is my attempt to list all things Calvin online as of today (albeit it is incomplete). You will likely to encounter household names in the Reformed circle offering their thoughts on how Calvin has influenced them and the world.

1. The Calvin 500 blog. Fostering a healthy discussion for an international community about events, conferences, tours, reviews, studies, discussions, and developments related to the 2009 quincentenary of Calvin’s birth.

2. Monergism on John Calvin. One of the best sources for commentaries, essays, articles, multimedia on Calvin.

3. Martin Downes collects audio links to Calvin.

4. Knowing the Truth radio program features many scholars who will discuss Calvin during the month of January.

5. Reformation 21 is blogging the Institutes.

6. Princeton Seminary is also blogging the Institutes

7. Scott Clark offers his take on Calvin-related books.

8. Martin Lynk reads the Institutes and provides his daily reflections on it.

What is interesting is the big anticipation of heaps of books that will be published this year on Calvin. Here is a case in point, which have enjoyed positive reviews and one that I have been wanting to purchase: John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology, edited by Burk Parsons. See the Table of Content and Sample Chapter. Also an interview with Dr Parsons on the book.












Finally, I thought I end this post with the statues of the leading Reformation figures in the Reformation Wall Geneva: (left to right) Theodore Beza (1519 – 1605), John Calvin (1509 – 1564), William Farel (1489 – 1565), and John Knox (c.1513 – 1572).