©2006, Cumberland House Publishing, Inc., 306 pages in hardback.

To many people, John Calvin is known as the one who taught predestination in opposition to man’s freedom and the one who supported the execution of Michael Servetus.  David Hall addresses Calvinistic teachings as part of this book then moves to a development of  Calvin’s character and leadership abilities.

The book is divided into three parts.  The first provides the reader with an overview of Calvin’s life.  The second section exams his character.  In the final section, Hall examines the long-reaching legacy of Calvin, particularly his influence on colonial leaders involved in the formative stages of America.

Calvin’s life in this fallen world was marked by sad and, also, startling providences, all from the good hand of God.  He studied law prior to his regeneration. His education gave him good preparation for the work God had for him as pastor, author, educator, and publisher.  A separate chapter is devoted to each of these callings.  Calvin dealt with many sorrows.  He was exiled from Geneva.  In his exile he impacted many other lives, continued growing in sanctification, and met his future wife, Idelette de Bure.  Upon return to Geneva, he enjoyed God’s blessings on his pastoral labors and a growing influence in the city.  However, he grieved the death of a son, later the death of his wife, as well as Protestant persecution elsewhere.  He was burdened by the raising of two motherless stepdaughters.

There was abundant opportunity for Calvin’s character to shine in ministry and leadership.  Indeed, it did shine.  Hall takes the reader through Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion showing how his character influenced this work.  It was written for the laity and is very practical. He devotes a chapter each to traits such as humility, keeping an eye on eternity, godliness, honest labor, and prayer.

In this section, chapters are devoted to essential leadership traits such as personal responsibility, faith, handling tragedy, and the importance of benevolence.

The third section may be surprising to readers unfamiliar with Calvin’s influence as it stretched beyond the boundaries of the church.  Calvin’s teachings touched western Europe and ultimately North America through European migration. Hall provides many quotations to show the reality of Calvinistic thought on colonial constitutions.  The balance of powers and internal checks on branches of government grew out of the biblical truth that man is depraved and needs many counselors to make wise decisions.  Limited governmental power stressed the importance of individual self-government and basic freedoms for all citizens.  The sovereignty of God was manifested in the fact that kings and civil leaders rule not for themselves but as ministers of God to whom they must give account.  They, also, are under His law.

Many critics view Calvin’s teaching on predestination as restrictive of personal freedom.  However, a proper study of Calvin along with scripture shows that both support personal responsibility for choices freely made.  Hall devotes several pages to the impact Calvin’s thought had on the development of Christian liberty in church and state.

There are so many avenues that are explored in the opening up of Calvin’s thoughts and writings.  He insightfully addresses the areas of economics and education.  The famous Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, desired to relocate Calvin’s school from Geneva, Switzerland, to northern Virginia.  This project never materialized.  To me, the pages devoted to this idea are worth the price of the book.

This book is an installment in the Leaders In Action series edited by David Vaughan.  Readers familiar with this series know that the purpose is not to produce an in-depth biography.  Instead, it examines individuals as leaders and develops leadership principles that can be employed in ordinary callings and daily lives.

This contribution to the series realistically examines a worthy subject.  It conveys a wealth of scholarship in a very readable and practical style.  Readers should  become better acquainted with Calvin as a person who desired to bring glory to God and to equip God’s people with practical biblical doctrine.  Hall shows that, by God’s grace, Calvin was a successful leader and that western Europe and North America, aware of it or not, are much indebted to him as a result.

Review ©2007 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia