The Soul of Life

John Calvin is the most notable figure from the Reformed tradition. Unfortunately, he is often characterized as a stern and cerebral individual who had little concern for practical matters. However, Calvin was actually influential in promoting a profound sense of piety among early Protestantism. In The Soul of Life , Joel R. Beeke presents the life and ministry of Calvin with a special emphasis on Calvin’s efforts for cultivating healthy spirituality among the churches. The selections from Calvin’s own work will give readers a firsthand look at Calvin’s emphasis on godliness, and by God’s grace, will be a means for spurring on greater godliness in our day.

Table of Contents:
The Life of John Calvin
The Piety of John Calvin
Section One: The Definition and Importance of Piety
Section Two: Piety’s Supreme Goal, Soli Deo Gloria
Section Three: Theological Dimensions
Piety’s Profound Root: Mystical Union
Piety’s Double Bond: The Spirit and Faith
Piety’s Double Cleansing: Justification and Sanctification
Section Four: Ecclesiological Dimensions
Piety Through the Church
Piety of the Word
Piety in the Sacraments
Piety in the Psalter
Section Five: Practical Dimensions
Prayer
Repentance
Self-Denial
Cross-Bearing
The Present and Future Life
Obedience
Recommended Books by or about Calvin Series Description

Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality . The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects’ contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.