Book Review

John Calvin His Life and Influence

By Robert L Reymond
(Published by Christian Focus)

Robert Reymond is Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Florida and in this book he brings us a brief introduction to the life and works of the great reformer. If you want a concise introduction to John Calvin's life and introduction to his writings, particularly his most famous work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, this is the book to read. He also looks at the influence Calvin and his writings have had on the world in the succeeding centuries, both for Christians and Western Society in general. This is not just a eulogy of what Calvin did, but the author also looks at some of the more contentious issues of Calvin's life, particularly the burning of Servetus and he explains the events that led to this situation and the mindset of people at the time.

I found most of this book easy to read and at just under 150 pages it is not a massive tome, the author lists recommended biographies for those who wish to learn more about John Calvin.


Discovering Christ in Genesis

By Don Fortner
(published by Evangelical Press)

You may be familiar with Don Fortner from his occasional articles in Evangelical Times, he is the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky. Recently I reviewed his book Discovering Christ in Revelation, which I felt was an excellent book which did exactly what the title said. Don Fortner has done several of these books and I have now read Discovering Christ in Genesis.

This is not a chapter and verse exposition of Genesis, but rather goes through selected passages in the book to reveal the grace and glory of God in Christ. This is done in chapter order and he comments on the principle characters to whom God revealed himself in those times. He shows the presence of Christ and the evidence of God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ and also applies it to modern day situations. There is no pandering to liberal views on the authority of Genesis, but good solid bible teaching. I recommend this book; the chapters are fairly short lending themselves to be part of a daily bible study.


Peter Richardson