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Cliff notes on Luther and Calvin

Tertiumquid

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Jul 26, 2003
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Are you the type of person who doesn't have the time to read Calvin's Institutes or Luther's Works? Do you have a basic understanding of the history of Luther and Calvin, but find yourself at a loss when it comes to explaining their distinct theological concepts? Couldn't somebody just write a book without all the theological gibberish that makes sense?

Well, I have two books to reccommend:

Calvin For Armchair Theologians
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0664223036/qid=1121659826/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6014763-3820626?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Luther For Armchair Theologians
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0664223818/qid=1121659949/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-6014763-3820626?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Both books focus on theology, rather than history. The books are super easy to read. I've had the Calvin book for quite a while, I just picked up the Luther one. The Luther volume is excellent. It is probably the best simple overview of the complex theology of Luther I have ever read.

The only criticism I would offer, is that the books come with some goofy cartoons, the footnotes to the primary sources are sparse, and by and large there is no criticsm of either Luther or Calvin.

But the text itself is wonderful. It is concise and well written. These 2 volumes are excellent guides to jumping into Reformation theology.

Regards,
James Swan