Which translation of Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion would you (I’m talking to those who are familiar with both translations) recommend? The 2 volume set with Battles’ translation looks good but it’s more money than the one volume Hendrickson edition that uses the older Beveridge translation. Out of the two which would be the one to get? Or is there another that’s better than them both?
B”H
Battles. Case closed.
Say it like you mean it Esteban. 8)
Esteban: Good enough for me! Now the question becomes: Do I purchase a copy or request one for review?
mcneill, battles is it. although beveridge is free here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.titlepage.html
Battle. Battles. Battles.
Either that or learn French & Latin.
Hands down.
Drew: I have Beveridge’s translation as an e-Sword module as well, but I can only sit in front of the computer and read for so long. So I figure with next year being so idolatrously dedicated to Calvin I’d pick up a hard copy of the Institutes.
Mike: I really need to learn both French and Latin! I took latin in the 7th grade and did incredibly well, but then I forsook it for Spanish in 8th grade, only to never learn either language well. :(
I, uh, bought the H-… He-… the Hendrickson…
Battles is the answer.
Every now and again I contemplate producing a fresh translation from the Latin. But not today.
I had the two volumes set with the notation by McNeile, but I sold it.
I’m back in the market, as it were…
Michael: There’s little doubt that the price is right on that volume.
Seumas: Would that I could. My knowledge of Latin is limited to the names of logical fallacies.
TC: Pity. I’ve never sold a book but I threw a few out that I wish I had kept.
So I’m really late to the game, but I agree that McNeill (Battles) is the only way to go. Are you thinking about doing the Reformation21 read through Calvin in 2009 thing? I’m probably going to re-read through it using their reading plan.
I’m thinking about taking a year to focus on theology, and back off NT for a year…but I don’t know if I can live up to that goal.
Ranger: No, no plans on reading through the Institutes in a year, but Derek Thomas’ post from earlier today in which he linked to both translations (which btw were really expensive, not a ‘good price’ like he said) got me wondering which translation was best. I’d like to have a good copy of Calvin laying around for when I need to look something up.
My goal for next year is to spend the whole year reading/learning about the canon of Scripture. I have a number of books and articles to work through.
I suppose it’s a must have if one is a professional scholar but I can’t see myself forking over 50 bucks for it…. but then if I was a professional scholar I’d just use the library at whatever shcool I was teaching at….
FF. Bruce has a book on the Canon of Scripture to consider.
Brian: I wouldn’t call it a must have, but it’s definitely of interest. I’d pay $50 for the set if I had to but I can probably get a better deal than that.
And I have the Bruce book, thanks.
Nick, keep an eye of ebay for a used copy. I picked up the two volumes for $30 a while back.
My copy of this wondrous edition of the Institutes was irreparably damaged in storage, and I, with much pain and anguish, had to dispose of it. Neither pain nor anguish have yet subsided.
Nathan> I find it best to communicate my opinions humbly and unassumingly. ;-)
Mike: Thanks, I will. I’m contemplating a review copy but truth be told, I have no intentions of reading the whole thing, at least any time soon, so I don’t know if that would be the best bet.
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Compare the the two. The bottom line is which translation do “you” like best. The important thing is getting it read.
GB: Yeah, but I don’t want to waste time with an inferior translation. I did end up getting Battles’ translation though.
Logos Bible Software is offering a collection of the Norton, Allen, and Beveridge translations of the Institutes, which you’ll be able to read side-by-side. This collection also includes the 1559 Latin edition of the Institutes and the 1560 French edition—for a total of five editions in three languages. You can learn more at http://www.calvin500.com.
Kent: Thanks for the head’s up. I wonder if it will get enough pre-pub interest to be produced before Calvin’s birthday this year. I doubt it but I suppose that anything is possible.
One of my profs at Calvin College always recommended Beveridge’s over Battle’s. He compared Battle’s translation to the N.I.V.
Klinger what did he say Beveridge was? The KJV?
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I find Battles too verbose and diluted in impact
Allen & Beverige seem superior in terms of impact.