Lyle D. Bierma is P. J. Zondervan Professor of the History of Christianity at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After receiving his PhD in Religion from Duke University in 1980, he taught church history and theology at Kuyper College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, for nineteen years before joining the faculty at Calvin Seminary in 1999. His research and publications have focused on the early history of Reformed covenant theology, the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), and John Calvin.

This study is a refreshing, direct, engaging, and insightful look at one of the most popular theologians in the Reformed tradition. Bierma has likely achieved much in reviving interest in Calvin's octrines of the sacraments and charting a methodological and conceptual way forward.

• AbbreviationsAcknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The 1536 Institutes Chapter 3. Works from Calvin's First Period in Geneva and the Strasbourg Interlude (1536-41) Chapter 4. Works from Calvin's Second Period in Geneva to the Consensus Tigurinus (1541- 48) Chapter 5. The Consensus Tigurinus (1549) Chapter 6. Works from after the Consensus Tigurinus to Calvin's Death (1550-64) Chapter 7. Calvin and the Efficacy of Infant Baptism Chapter 8. Baptismal Efficacy in the Reformed Confessions: Calvin's Legacy Chapter 9. Conclusion BibliographyIndex

Lyle D. Bierma is P. J. Zondervan Professor of the History of Christianity at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After receiving his PhD in Religion from Duke University in 1980, he taught church history and theology at Kuyper College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, for nineteen years before joining the faculty at Calvin Seminary in 1999. His research and publications have focused on the early history of Reformed covenant theology, the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), and John Calvin.

This study is a refreshing, direct, engaging, and insightful look at one of the most popular theologians in the Reformed tradition. Bierma has likely achieved much in reviving interest in Calvin's octrines of the sacraments and charting a methodological and conceptual way forward.

• AbbreviationsAcknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The 1536 Institutes Chapter 3. Works from Calvin's First Period in Geneva and the Strasbourg Interlude (1536-41) Chapter 4. Works from Calvin's Second Period in Geneva to the Consensus Tigurinus (1541- 48) Chapter 5. The Consensus Tigurinus (1549) Chapter 6. Works from after the Consensus Tigurinus to Calvin's Death (1550-64) Chapter 7. Calvin and the Efficacy of Infant Baptism Chapter 8. Baptismal Efficacy in the Reformed Confessions: Calvin's Legacy Chapter 9. Conclusion BibliographyIndex

Lyle D. Bierma is P. J. Zondervan Professor of the History of Christianity at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After receiving his PhD in Religion from Duke University in 1980, he taught church history and theology at Kuyper College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, for nineteen years before joining the faculty at Calvin Seminary in 1999. His research and publications have focused on the early history of Reformed covenant theology, the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), and John Calvin.

This study is a refreshing, direct, engaging, and insightful look at one of the most popular theologians in the Reformed tradition. Bierma has likely achieved much in reviving interest in Calvin's octrines of the sacraments and charting a methodological and conceptual way forward.

• AbbreviationsAcknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The 1536 Institutes Chapter 3. Works from Calvin's First Period in Geneva and the Strasbourg Interlude (1536-41) Chapter 4. Works from Calvin's Second Period in Geneva to the Consensus Tigurinus (1541- 48) Chapter 5. The Consensus Tigurinus (1549) Chapter 6. Works from after the Consensus Tigurinus to Calvin's Death (1550-64) Chapter 7. Calvin and the Efficacy of Infant Baptism Chapter 8. Baptismal Efficacy in the Reformed Confessions: Calvin's Legacy Chapter 9. Conclusion BibliographyIndex