Few people today realize the extent to which John Calvin, the great Genevan Reformer, and his work have shaped modern culture. Few know it was Calvin who pioneered the effort to decentralize government by calling for checks and balances againt the rule of the few or the king. Equally unknown are his efforts to establish a productive social safety net for immigrants, create education models that were far ahead of his time, and instill a sense of self-worth in all citizens regardless of their occupations or class. He was also known for his support of free markets, the rise of private enterprise, the importance of publishing, and his advancement of knowledge beyond its medieval confines. The result of his work was an explosion of culture and liberty, all aspects of his life that have been increasingly overlooked since he lived in the sixteenth century.
A Heart Promptly Offered presents Calvin's life and his thinking in the context of his role as a leader in Geneva and what it suggests for those who would lead in our time. In addition to glimpses into Calvin's personal life, it also includes insights into his friendships, his struggles, and his literary interests. By means of carefully selected excerpts from his writings—letters, commentaries, sermons, and his Institutes—it presents his groundbreaking political theory, which is an unparalleled contribution to human freedom everywhere.