Calvin's Institutes Abridged - Far Eastern Bible College

530 Pages·2000·2.83 MB·English

An Abridgment of
CALVIN’S
INSTITUTES
of the Christian Religion
Book I – IV
Timothy Tow
Far Eastern Bible College Press
Singapore, 1997
An Abridgment of Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion:
Book I – IV
© 1997 by Timothy Tow
Published by
Far Eastern Bible College Press
9A Gilstead Road, Singapore 309063
Republic of Singapore
ISBN: 981-00-9335-7
Cover Design by Charles Seet
Cover photograph of portrait of John Calvin—courtesy of Rev Reijer A. Grisnigt,
the Netherlands.
To
My Students
The young Calvin. The first edition of the “Institutes” was published
when he was 27 years old. (Picture by courtesy of Biliothèque publique et
universitaire, Genève.)
FOREWORD TO BOOK I AND II
Calvinism is often misrepresented, not only by its opponents, but also
by those who are counted among its adherents. While the latter sometimes
draw conclusions that are alien to the Reformer’s teaching, the former tend
to make a caricature of his thoughts. Consequently, the rank and file of
Protestant Christians are lacking a clear insight of what the system represents.
We hardly dare to expect a change for the better. As a matter of fact, the
number of those who are thoroughly acquainted with Calvin’s thinking has
always been very small, and it will probably continue to be so. There are not
many Christians who would take the time to explore the rich spiritual heritage
of the great Genevan as contained in his many sermons, his letters, and in his
famous Institutes of the Christian Religion. And most certainly Calvin
himself would advise us rather to turn to the living and everlasting Word of
God and to attend to the preaching of it. As a matter of fact, he was not
interested in Calvinism, nor did he seek the following of Calvinists, be they
Hyper-, Neo-, or just ordinary Calvinists! In promptness and sincerity, he
only wanted to promote true, Biblical Christianity. Unlike many other
theologians, John Calvin did not try to develop a theology of his own. He is
great in not seeking greatness. Yet, being endowed with an unusually keen
mind, and a receptible heart, Calvin’s expositions of Biblical truth are at
once timeless and timely.
Having discovered the lasting value of Calvin’s writings, Dr Tow desired
to make them accessible to the Christian Community. Hence this Abridged
Edition of the Institutes of the Christian Religion. It has been a great
undertaking. With painstaking accuracy, Dr Tow has summarised the
Reformer’s teaching. Without deviating from the original, he has given us a
very readable book. It should be in the hands of the old and the young.
Pastors and youth leaders could use it as a textbook for religious instruction.
It may serve as a Compendium for theologians who want to brush up their
knowledge of Reformed doctrine.
The present edition covers Book I and II of Calvin’s Institutes. We are
looking forward to the publication of the remaining part. May it be given to
the author to complete his task in not too long a time. May the Lord use it for
our generation that we might be solidly rooted in the faith of our fathers.
J. C. Maris
Amsterdam
October 17, 1975
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PREFACE TO BOOK I AND II
If it is true, according to B. B. Warfield: “what Plato is among
philosophers, or the Iliad among epics, or Shakespeare among dramatists,
that Calvin’s Institutes is among the theological treatises,” then no student
of theology can afford to go without some serious reading in this immortal
work. “Even from the point of view of mere literature, it holds a position so
supreme in its class,” reiterates Warfield, “that everyone who would fain
know the world’s best books, must make himself familiar with it.”
The writer of this Abridgment was first introduced to Calvin’s Institutes
of the Christian Religion while a student at Faith Theological Seminary,
USA. What was offered as an elective, he discovered to his delight to be a
gem of the greatest price. This led him to pursue through the voluminous
work on his own, and to re-study it in latter years. Through Calvin’s
inspirational teaching (his emblem is a heart offered to the Lord) of “the true
and substantial wisdom which principally consists of the knowledge of God
and the knowledge of ourselves,” this writer has found a new, radiant
confidence for living in perilous end-times like these. For, Calvin has taught,
as no other theologian, that “salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).
Reading Calvin’s Institutes, however, is like going through a ten-course
Chinese dinner. The feast he spreads is so sumptuous that it takes no little
time to imbibe. In order to render the Institutes more assimilable to students
of Far Eastern Bible College, the writer has made this Abridgment for their
guidance, chapter by chapter.
Having found such Abridgment profitable also to laymen, Rev Quek
Kiok Chiang has given it generous space in the Far Eastern Beacon for
serial publication. This wider dissemination in turn has found further reception
in the Australian Beacon published by Mr John S. Mackenzie. Through
these circulations, requests have been received from Calvin lovers at home
and abroad for a more permanent form of the Abridgment.
With deep gratitude to the Father Almighty for His sustaining hand, the
Abridgment of the first two of Calvin’s four books is completed hereat. It is
sent forth with a view of giving some assistance to other students of theology,
and of stirring up interest in those not acquainted with Calvin’s teaching.
Yea, it is sent forth with a prayer, that it might grip the heart of everyone who
has never been lifted into the heights of Calvin’s marvellous comprehension
of the sovereignty and grace of God.
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The writer is grateful also Dr J. C. Maris, his esteemed friend and
colleague in the testimony of the International Council of Christian Churches,
for his kind introduction and encouragement to consummate this work of
Abridgment.
In making this Abridgment, the writer has solely used John Allen’s English
translation of Calvin’s original in Latin and French. A glossary is added to
help tide over Calvin’s use of profound words for his profound thoughts on
the profounder truths of God.
Timothy Tow,
Singapore, 1976.
PREFACE TO THIS COMPLETE EDITION
The Abridgment of Book III and IV took us another couple of years.
This enabled us to teach it to our students a couple of times. By the early
eighties, we should have published the complete edition.
Why did we procrastinate? There were two reasons. We printed seven
thousand copies of Book I and II. It was when the stock had finally exhausted
that we took steps toward publication of this complete edition. The other
reason was the shortage of hands.
In typesetting and proof reading this complete edition, we gratefully
acknowledge the labour of love rendered by Mrs Tan Yin Chan of Life B-P
Church office, and by Miss Lau Yeong Shoon on behalf of Far Eastern Bible
College Press. We are also indebted to Rev Charles Seet for the art work of
the book, and to Roger Kok and Foo Siang-tse.
“To God by the glory, great things He hath done.” Amen.
Timothy Tow,
October 1997.
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