Calvin's Doctrine of the Word and Sacrament

About this book

Charles Hodge viewed Calvins doctrine of the union of believers with Christs humanity in the Lords Supper as an uncongenial foreign element in Calvins thought having no root in the system. Robert L. Dabney found Calvins doctrine to be a strange opinion which he had to reject because it is not only incomprehensible but impossible. Were these eminent theologians correct or did they miss the genius of Calvins thinking at this point? Back in print at last Ronald Wallaces classic study is a careful examination of Calvins Commentaries Institutes Sermons and Tracts designed to clarify the teaching of the great Reformer. The following two sentences from the preface aptly sum up the authors intention: "What is most important in the study of Calvin today is to reveal what the Reformer himself actually said in order that misconceptions about his teaching may be cleared away. Therefore this work is not a critical study of Calvin but an attempt to express his teaching as copiously fairly and sympathetically as possible. Dr. Wallaces book is also valuable for the insight it gives into Calvins method of interpreting Scripture especially the Old Testament.