If you're looking for a good introduction to John Calvin, it'd be hard to go wrong with John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology, edited by Burk Parsons.At Ligonier you can read the Table of Contents and Sample Chapter.
And at the DG blog you can read a helpful interview with Burk Parsons about the book and why he put it together.
Here are a few blurbs for the book:
“On the five-hundredth anniversary of John Calvin’s birth, it is utterly fitting that a book of essays should appear that is designed for ordinary Christians, not scholars. The scholars will have their conferences, of course, and rightly so, but here is a collection of essays that will inform and move ordinary readers to grasp something of the profound gift God gave to the church in the person and ministry—and especially the writings—of Calvin. Read this book, then find yourself drawn toward many profitable and stretching hours reading Calvin’s Institutes and some of his many commentaries.”
—D. A. Carson, Research professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois
“To my knowledge, there never has been a collection of authors of any edited volume under whose ministry I would rather sit than these. What stands out is that they are humble, holy men of God. Most of them are too old—too seasoned—to care about scoring points. Their lives witness to the preciousness of Christ and the importance of purity. Expect no bombast. Expect humble, measured admiration and wise application. This a good way to meet John Calvin: in the holy hearts of humble servants of Christ. The only better way would be to read the man himself.”
—John Piper, Pastor for preaching and vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
“Deep calls to deep, and Burk Parsons’ rich and insightful work on John Calvin takes us both deep and wide into the heart of this extraordinary saint. Most of all, I’m grateful to God that a whole new generation of believers can now be introduced to one of the greatest theologians of all time. I highly recommend this book to all who are seeking a closer—and deeper—walk with our Savior!”
—Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder, Joni and Friends, International Disability Center, Agoura Hills, California
“There is a fresh breeze blowing in these pages. A new generation has discovered the riches of biblical truth to be found in John Calvin’s work. Written in an inviting and accessible style, this book extends an invitation to all to come and learn as well. However, what they will learn will have far less to do with Calvin and far more to do with the centrality and greatness of the triune God whom he served. Calvin would have wanted it that way, and so do we.”
—David F. Wells, Senior research professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts
