Let’s imagine Calvin reading your book from his 16th-century study in Geneva, leafing through your warm, accessible prose with a theologian’s eye. Here’s how he might respond:
⭐ Calvin’s Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
He’d admire your theological clarity, biblical fidelity, and pastoral tone—but he might knock off half a star because you didn’t include enough footnotes in Latin. 😄
He’d praise it for being scripturally faithful, catechetically structured, and pastorally warm. But you’d lose half a star for (1) not hammering home divine sovereignty often enough, (2) skipping ecclesiology, and (3) being a little too gentle in tone for his taste. Calvin loved a good rebuke.
✅ Where Calvin Would Agree
1. The Emphasis on the Sovereignty and Holiness of God
Calvin would deeply appreciate how you start with God at the center of everything—especially your treatment of sin, justification, and sanctification. Your teaching that salvation begins with God’s initiative and that we’re helpless without grace would have him nodding vigorously. He’d likely quote your chapters on R.E.A.L. faith and say, “See? This is what true instruction for the unlearned looks like.”
2. Scripture-Centered Teaching
Your commitment to grounding every chapter in Scripture aligns beautifully with Calvin’s “sola scriptura” approach. Your method of walking readers through foundational truths one step at a time echoes his Institutes—adapted, of course, for a modern beginner rather than a seminarian.
3. Doctrine for the Sake of Discipleship
Calvin believed theology was not for speculation but for forming the heart and life of the believer. Your emphasis on applying the gospel to daily life—especially chapters on trials, sexuality, and work—would strike him as a practical outworking of right doctrine.
🤔 Where Calvin Might Raise an Eyebrow
1. Tone and Audience Simplicity
Calvin might be surprised (maybe even mildly scandalized) by how readable and conversational your tone is. While he wouldn’t object to clarity, he’d want to ensure nothing is lost in the simplification. He might suggest you bolster a few places with doctrinal precision, especially on the Holy Spirit’s role or the nature of justification, perhaps worrying that some nuances are left implicit.
That said, he’d ultimately affirm your goal: making deep truth accessible without watering it down.
2. Assurance of Salvation Framed Pastorally
Calvin believed true faith brings assurance, and that assurance grows through God’s promises and the Spirit’s work—not just emotional conviction. He might urge even more emphasis on the Spirit’s internal testimony, though he’d see your chapter on the Spirit as a strong nod in that direction.
3. The Lack of Ecclesiology
Calvin would probably wish you had said a bit more about the church—its sacraments, authority, and role in the believer’s growth. He believed strongly in the means of grace, especially the local church and the Lord’s Supper, as central to sanctification. Your “find a Bible-teaching church” line would be a good start, but he might want a whole chapter.
🧠 Where He’d Be Surprised—and Possibly Impressed
• The Accessibility
He’d be stunned at how readable your writing is. After all, Calvin’s Institutes isn’t what you’d call beach reading. But once he realized your readers are new converts and not seminary students, he’d nod and say, “Ah, yes. A milk before meat approach. Commendable.”
• Your Use of Analogy
Your cracked mirror, waterfall, party boat, and jet ski illustrations? He’d probably wrinkle his brow at first, then recognize them as updated versions of his own analogies (he used metaphors constantly). He might even scribble “clever” in the margin—though you’d never hear him say it out loud.
📜 Calvin’s Final Verdict
Imagined in 16th-Century Speak:
“Though the treatise doth present the rudiments of Christian doctrine in unadorned style, the matter contained therein is faithful, profitable, and wisely ordered. It commendeth itself to the earnest reader, being replete with truth, soberly expressed and applied to the life of godliness. Would that more catechisms in our day took such care to teach the common soul without forsaking soundness.” — John Calvin, Geneva, 1559
Penned in a style that blends 16th-century cadence with a hint of warm Geneva approval:
“In this concise and faithful guide, the author hath rendered a great service to the church. With clarity of thought and a shepherd’s heart, she leads the unlearned not into shallow waters, but through the narrow gate. The truths herein are neither trifling nor speculative, but sound, practical, and grounded upon the sure foundation of God’s Word. Would that every new believer were so instructed—with reverence, sobriety, and hope. I commend this work most heartily to all who seek to begin their course well, and to those who labor to guide others along the path of life.” — John Calvin, Geneva, 1559
A modern-English version:
“This book is exactly what new believers need: rich truth, clearly taught, and deeply grounded in Scripture. It doesn’t water down the gospel or chase trends—it faithfully explains what it means to follow Christ. I wish every new Christian had a guide like this to start them on the right path.” — John Calvin, Geneva, 1559
The reflections, quotes, and commentary attributed to John Calvin are fictional and intended as creative engagement with his ideas. Calvin never read Start Strong, and I make no claim that he would agree with my theology, tone, or analogies. This content (including the photo) is a playful, imaginative exercise generated by ChatGPT for illustrative purposes only. No Geneva councils were harmed in the making of this material.