Calvin’s Institutes in a graphic-novel format introduces younger readers to the tenets of Reformed theology.

*John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes: Figuring out God and Figuring out Ourselves by Martin Williams and Pleasure Williams, illustrated by Paul Hox. P&R Publishing, 2025. 80 pages.

  • Studying Degree: Center grades, ages 10-12
  • Really helpful For: Ages 8-12

A graphic-novel model of Calvin’s Institutes? Why not? The authors start firstly, with Calvin’s enchantment to the King of France upon his e book’s first look in 1535. Readers ought to already know one thing in regards to the Reformation and the non secular, social, and political upheaval it brought about earlier than cracking this e book’s gentle covers, however Calvin himself will take it from there. Following the unique define, Chapter 1 drives house an important level of Calvin’s nice work: that the one completely very important information an individual can have is information of God and of self, and the 2 are unalterably associated. Subsequent chapters study true piety vs. false faith, the state of fallen humanity, and God’s windfall in Creation.

Calvin, the primary character of this action-packed story, is seen arriving from area to instruct two younger college students named Theo and Geneva (and Luther the cat). T & G ask the questions whereas our information supplies solutions by means of illustration. Among the pictured metaphors are lifted from the Institutes, reminiscent of consuming from the fountain of God’s goodness (i.e., Figuring out Him versus figuring out about him). Historic figures just like the Emperor Caligula and the Apostle Paul make their look, in addition to Plutarch’s philosophical dialogue between Odysseus and an enchanted pig named Gryllus (after which Calvin serves up beneficiant helpings of bacon). Every chapter ends with a abstract and a listing of dialogue questions, plus an invite to lookup the fabric within the unique supply.

Does it work? So long as nobody takes offense on the austere scholar of Geneva pictured as a spaceman, jungle explorer, or deep-sea diver, sure. Calvin’s ideas are clearly and concisely defined with loads of visible help and intelligent purposes. Younger readers will eat it up—and devour plenty of sound theology, too. They’ll be able to dive into Quantity 2 each time it exhibits up (I couldn’t discover any info on that).

Backside Line: A transparent exposition of primary ideas of a traditional Reformed textual content, with intelligent visible aids and humorous touches.

*signifies a starred evaluate (one of the best of one of the best in its discipline)

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Purchase John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes on amazon.

Even higher: purchase it from Westminster Books (it’s presently on sale!).