約翰·加爾文(1509—1564)是基督新教曆史上最為重要的人物之一。馬丁·路德與天主教會決裂，開始宗教改革；而加爾文則以一部《基督教要義》建立瞭新教係統神學的典範。

德國曆史學傢蘭剋(Leopold von Ranke)說：“加爾文是美國真正的立基者。”法國曆史學傢論到加爾文宗信徒時說道：“這些人是英國真正的英雄。他們建立瞭蘇格蘭，他們也建立瞭美國。”這些都說明瞭加爾文深遠的曆史影響力。

The first English translation of a classic text of pastoral theology. / John Calvin (1509 1564) originally wrote his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion in Latin. Beginning with the second edition of his work published in 1541, Calvin translated each new version into French, simultaneously adapting the text to suit lay audiences, shaping it subtly but clearly to teach, exhort, and encourage them. Besides reflecting a more pastoral bent on Calvin's part, this 1541 Institutes is also notable as one of the founding documents of the modern French language. / Elsie Anne McKee's masterful translation of the 1541 French Edition the first-ever English version offers full access to the brilliant mind of John Calvin as he considered what common Christian people should all know and practice. / This sparkling translation of John Calvin?'s 1541 French Institutes offers modern-day readers in the English-speaking world the opportunity to read Calvin?'s first version of his masterwork intended for a general audience. Elsie McKee is to be commended for her faithful yet accessible translation of this key text. Karin Maag / Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies, Calvin College and Seminary / major event for Calvin students! English-language readers can, at last, access and use the 1541 version of the Institutes. Scholars of repute consider this version the most admirable of all: it combines freshness and maturity, it is not overloaded with polemical developments, and, as the first theological work in the vernacular, it made a decisive contribution toward shaping modern French. It is a landmark in Calvin?'s corpus. Elsie McKee?'s translation, checked against the original French, remains scrupulously accurate, while it reads with ease and harmonious fluidity. Henri Blocher / Facult Libre de Th ologie Evang lique / Wheaton College Graduate School / I am impressed with what Elsie McKee has accomplished. It is amazing how she has managed to translate Calvin?'s smooth French into an English that is a pleasure to read. Even more important, however, is that she has made this important work of Calvin accessible for a wide audience, so all can experience the stimulus that reading Calvin can give to the church and theology today. Herman J. Selderhuis / Theologische Universiteit Appeldoorn / The 1541 edition of the Institutes has long been considered a gem among the various editions of Calvin?'s classic. Its special virtues are that it is more concise than the final 1559 edition and also more pastoral and practical, reflecting Calvin?'s years in the ministry. Finally we have a superb English translation of this edition by a premier Calvin scholar. Elsie McKee knows Calvin and knows French. The result is a wonderful contribution to Calvin studies in the English-speaking world. Readers of this version will gain fresh perspectives and new insights into the Reformer?'s theology. I. John Hesselink / Western Theological Seminary