Greg's (not Oprah's) Reading Club

One of the things we wanted to do in 2008 was, well, something different with our blog.  One thing I (Greg) have always wanted to do has been to host an online reading group or book club.  Being the serious, academic type that I am, this book club will probably not be for everybody.  So...without further ado...our first reading selection is, as I announced in an earlier post, John Calvin's 1536 magnum opus INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.  You can read it for free online thanks to the wonderful folks at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.  If you're really an egghead intellectual you may want to read his Latin version, the Institutio Christianae Religionis (we won't think less of you if the Latin's too daunting for you...).

Because of the immense size of this tome, I'll give my reading selections by the week.
Week 1 (all links below are in html, not PDF):

SUBJECT OF THE WORK
EPISTLE TO THE READER
METHOD & ARRANGEMENT
GENERAL INDEX OF CHAPTERS
FIRST BOOK:  THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Read the first TEN chapters

Feel free to post comment here if you have any thoughts about the material.  If we need to find a bulliten board site or something more conducive to discussion posts then we can move it.  Happy reading!!!

Comments

[ded]

Since I know I am not Calvinist, nor even a fan of Calvin, I think I'll pass on the book club selection.

[Greg]

I understand, David. I would love to hear your suggestions for any future selections.

[ded]

Thanks for inviting my thoughts on a book to read and discuss.

Since your current book is large, it will be a while, no, before you need another idea?

My favorite Christian author is George MacDonald. I'd have to give some thought to what would make a good book for group reading and comment.

[Greg]

Calvin's huge tome is probably the worst choice imaginable for a reading group, now that I think about it. Something fictional would be much better. I like MacDonald...I remember Philip McGuire always had me read his works. So maybe I can have 2 reading groups...!

[ded]

Came across the following quote from Calvin:

"Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning; but is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart."

I like it and thought I would let you know, it isn't that I am against Calvin.

I cannot get into my heart that God pre-destines anybody to either salvation or damnation. I am also, a bit apprehensive about killing heretics. May be because I have some folks that think that of me!!

The point I really want to make here (additionally to sharing the Calving quote), I think I decline an interest in Calvin because I don't have the time to read a long book!

[Greg]

No problem, David! John Calvin is definitely a lightning rod type of figure who draws both intense praise and harsh criticism. His participation in the arrest and burning of Michael Servetus was actually minimal - the blame actually resides with the Taliban-like Geneva city council (a body with whom Calvin had much influence) rather than Calvin himself who appealed to them to spare Servetus. Not to justify Calvin completely but executions were a common thing in his day and Servetus was the only person executed in the long span of Calvinist-controlled Geneva.

BTW, I found something you'll love - you can download MacDonald's "Unspoken Sermons" here:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/macdonald/unspoken3.html

As far as the double predestination.... I love Billy Graham's quote that "God will not let anyone go to hell in peace."

[Reed]

Ok, I am admittedly a rather pointed critic of Calvin's views. However, I will gladly read the book since Calvin, unlike most other theologians, really sought out a systematic, thoughtful and consistent "system" of theology. I really admire the ambition and commitment, even if I do not agree with his conclusions.