The Brightest Mirror of God's Works: John Calvin's Theological Anthropology: 236 (Princeton Theological Monograph)

John Calvins perspectives on the nature calling and destiny of the human being is scattered all over his extensive corpus of writings. This book attempts to provide an accurate account of the main theological motifs that governed Calvins doctrine on the human being while keeping in mind variable factors such as the historical development of Calvins thought the pastoral and often unsystematic orientation of his theology and the formative impact doctrinal controversies had on his thoughts. The contribution focuses specifically on Calvins understanding of the created structure of the human being her sinful nature the human beings union with Christ the limits of human reason the anthropological roots of human society and gender. The primary aim is to make the original Calvin speak. But the contribution also addresses some of the most recent debates on Calvins theology and identifies those impulses in his theological anthropology that bear potential for modern reflections on human existence. Like most of us Calvin was a child of his time. However his intellectual legacy endures and readers may well find his thoughts on the human being surprisingly refreshing and stimulating for modern anthropological and social discourses. After reading this well argued and meticulously researched publication by Nico Vorster I am more than ever convinced of the incalculable value of Calvins theological inheritance to the recent modern theological debate. This magisterial lucid exposition of Calvins theological Anthropology shows a prodigious intellect indefatigably processing oceans of text and research literature to present a powerful provocative stimulus and reliable contribution to the recent debate. Nico Vorsters theological analysis is crisp logical and a reliable source of research for academic scholars as well as students. He thoroughly articulates the facts questions and perspectives of different scholars to present his suggestions and proposals. --Jan du Rand North-West University As one of South Africas best-known systematic theologians who focuses on Calvinist studies Nico Vorster in this book investigates several aspects of Calvins anthropology. He shows its relevance in addressing systemic problems that modern societies face like human alienation individualism collective power abuse systemic corruption ecocide and the fracturing of communities. His discussion of Calvins anthropology demonstrates that many of the modern theological anthropological challenges are in fact old questions in new disguises. --Marius Nel North-West University Nico Vorster is Professor in Systematic Theology at the Faculty of Theology of the North West University in South Africa. He has published various books articles and book chapters within the fields of Theological Anthropology Christian Social Ethics and Public Theology. He is the author of the book Created in the Image of God (2011).