“This book by Rubén Rosario Rodríguez is an excellent contribution to the analysis of the importance of John Calvin as a leader of the emerging Protestant Christian theology. Rosario Rodríguez carefully analyzes the various aspects of Calvinist thought and their implications for the convergences between Calvinism, Lutheranism, and Catholicism. It includes the importance of support for impoverished people and the possibility of coming together in ecumenical relationships that highlight convergences rather than contradictions. I recommend attentive and careful reading of this extraordinary book.”
Luis N. Rivera-Pagán, Henry Winters Luce Professor of Ecumenics, emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary
“Rosario Rodríguez has written a comprehensive analysis of Calvin’s theology, practical ministry, and recommendations for Christians in social, economic, and political relations. It addresses Calvin’s challenge to sixteenth-century Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anabaptist theologies while also considering how Calvin’s theology and practical ministry have influenced Christian involvement in matters of economic justice, government, immigration, and race policy in Latin America and South Africa from Calvin’s time to our own. This book is valuable for scholars, students, pastors, and church classes.”
Harlan Beckley, Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion, emeritus, and founding director of the Shepherd Program on Poverty and Human Capability, Washington and Lee University
“Why would a twenty-first century constructive theologian, especially one from a minority heritage, write a book on John Calvin that invites readers to take a second look? Rosario Rodríguez’s Calvin for the World offers some thought-provoking answers. The creative fruit of twenty years of teaching, this lively text ranges over many topics that contemporary people would see as their own concerns—from apartheid, to immigration, to Christian engagement in public life, to liberation theology, and more. Professor Rosario Rodríguez shares the exciting surprises that his students have encountered when he has brought voices from many contexts into dialogue with Calvin, and he makes a good case that the so-called dictator of Geneva has something relevant to say today, that this long misread (or rather, unread) pastor is a viable and even worthwhile conversation partner on these ‘modern’ issues. Rosario Rodríguez never glosses over Calvin’s legendary negative reputation. However, by a combination of historical context and fascinating comparisons with figures like Bartolomé de Las Casas, Gustavo Gutiérrez, Thomas More, Allan Boesak, Cotton Mather, and Archbishop Romero, he draws out grounds for reconsidering whether Calvin just might be a more valuable resource for contemporary thought than the old stereotypes would suggest.”
Elsie McKee, Archibald Alexander Professor of Reformation Studies and the History of Worship, Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary
Rubén Rosario Rodríguez (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary), an ordained Presbyterian minister, holds the Clarence Louis and Helen Steber Professorship in Theological Studies and directs the Mev Puleo Program in Latin American Politics, Theology, and Culture at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. His recent publications include Dogmatics after Babel, the T&T Clark Handbook of Political Theology, and Theological Fragments: Confessing What We Know and Cannot Know about an Infinite God. He has also done advocacy work with Missouri Immigrant and Refugee Advocates (MIRA).