Life in God: John Calvin, Practical Formation, and the Future of Protestant Theology

Meyer Boulton offers insights beyond the caricature so often portrayed of Calvin, and guides the reader into the depth and value of spiritual practices now only recently being recovered by the protestant church. Boulton does however, tend to repeat his basic arguments, over and over which at a couple of points made the reading drag though this is a minor distraction due to style. The content is worth your time..

This is a fascinating book. The author explores core values of Calvin's theology and lays them out in a refreshing way. It is very relevant to anyone who wants to learn or relearn the Calvinist tradition. Several times I thought to myself, "why isn't Calvin known better for this?"

A book of this topic is long over due, one that draws out from Calvin's own words, Calvin's view on the topic of spiritual formation. I shall never read Calvin's Institutes in the same way again.

A most wonderful book. Quality and clarity of the writing is first-rate.

A very readable and inspiring book about the theology of John Calvin, and how union with Christ and the promises of God can deeply assure us as we live, and how in our union with Christ we have full access to God and can practice the historic practices of the faith and be shaped by the Spirit through them into Christ's likeness.This book has been very exciting by helping us understand how our practice of the practices of the faith is made possible and empowered by our union with Christ.I would highly recommend this book to church leadership groups, pastors, and leaders responsible for discipleship ministries.

Inspiring. Slow in developing the themes. I find it a excellent book.

A beautifully written work following Calvin's formation design. Boutlon gives the reader serious material to chew on. Though he works through Calvin appreciatively, following the delicate nuances nicely, the author doesn't fawningly approve of everything Calvin put forward. Nevertheless, it is obvious that Boulton understands who he is examining, how he put things together, and what he was aiming for.Boulton rightly sees that Calvin's approach to the spiritual disciplines, ecclesiology, sacramentology and theology were for formation of disciples;"...in Calvin's view, the church is a kind of gymnasium: a society of formation and development, gathering occasionally for guidance and inspiration, but then sent out into the world to exercise all week long, at home and in the fields, day in and day out ( . . . ) in short, it develops her savoir vivre, her "knowing how to live" with and in God" (228).I highly recommend "Life in God."

As an Episcopal lay leader working in Adult Formation in Tucson I find this book both illuminating and accessible. This fall I will teach it in my own AngloCatholic parish and at downtown First Christian Church. It deserves a place in seminary Christology courses because of its theme that knowing Christ and Living in God are one and the same. Jon Rinnander