The Teaching of Calvin, by Rev. Prof. A. Mitchell Hunter, M.A., D.Litt., F.R.S.E., New College, Edinburgh. Publishers, James Clarke & Co. Ltd., 5 Wardrobe Place, Carter Lane, London, E.C.4; published price of the volume is 15/- net.
This is a new edition of the author’s original book, and is said to be in some respects a new book. To all who are interested in theology as a study, and in particular to ministers and divinity students, this work cannot fail to be of the greatest interest. It deals with the person, life, works, and of course, especially the theology of John Calvin. Although the title may indicate heavy and uninteresting subject matter for the reader, the very contrary is true; inasmuch as the author’s method and manner of presenting the several sub-divisions of his wide subject, are distinguished by a most attractive, clear and readable style. This of course is subsidiary to the substance of the book. The author treats of Calvin’s Institutes, Commentaries, the Source of his theology, Predestination, the Sacraments, and Intolerance and Servetus, etc., etc. He does not overload the work with verbatim quotations from Calvin, but quotes occasionally. He employs the method of paraphrasing Calvin’s words and views on a given subject, and we have reason to believe that those views are rendered accurately and faithfully. This we found to be helpful as to reading and following the line of Calvin’s thought and argument on the various doctrines and views handled by Dr. Mitchell Hunter. We cannot say that Dr. Hunter himself is an all-round Calvinist; but he does provide a most detailed, comprehensive and interesting survey of what is worth knowing and thinking about regarding Calvin and Calvinism. Let us briefly indicate the nature of the author’s treatment of his subject by extracts from his chapter on Predestination. Regarding Election, “He (that is, Calvin) illustrates by asking, what had Paul, before he was born, to entitle him to so high an honour? Paul is the apostle not because of any peculiar fitness or capacity, but solely because he was destined so to be in the counsels of eternity.” And as to reprobation, the author writes, “It is along the same lines that he develops the other side of predestination, that of reprobation. No man is reprobate because of what he is in contra-distinction to those who are saved . . . The reprobate, like the elect, are appointed to be so by the secret counsel of God’s will and by nothing else (Inst. II, xxii, para. 11). Though their life justifies that will, their rejection is not determined originally because of their life . . .” Thus is given part of Calvin’s views. Then Dr. Hunter proceeds to bring under review Calvin’s statements by introducing the opinions of Augustine, Luther, Melanchthon, and others; e.g., “Luther assented to the eternal rejection of some while asserting God’s universal purpose of grace, but he made no attempt to reconcile the two assertions, holding that we cannot do so and must simply accept them both. But to that Calvin would not agree, on his part declaring that reprobation as much glorified God as election.” Readers of this work grounded in the Scriptures and conversant with the Westminster Confession of Faith and holding the doctrines therein, will not have difficulty in placing question marks beside some of Dr. Hunter’s personal observations throughout the work.