*John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes by Martin Williams and Joy Williams

Calvin’s Institutes in a graphic-novel format introduces young readers to the tenets of Reformed theology.

*John Calvin’s Illustrated Institutes: Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves by Martin Williams and Joy Williams, illustrated by Paul Hox. P&R Publishing, 2025. 80 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended For: Ages 8-12

A graphic-novel version of Calvin’s Institutes? Why not? The authors begin at the beginning, with Calvin’s appeal to the King of France upon his book’s first appearance in 1535. Readers should already know something about the Reformation and the spiritual, social, and political upheaval it caused before cracking this book’s soft covers, but Calvin himself will take it from there. Following the original outline, Chapter 1 drives home the most important point of Calvin’s great work: that the only absolutely vital knowledge a person can have is knowledge of God and of self, and the two are unalterably related. Subsequent chapters examine true piety vs. false religion, the state of fallen humanity, and God’s providence in Creation.

Calvin, the main character of this action-packed story, is seen arriving from space to instruct two young students named Theo and Geneva (and Luther the cat). T & G ask the questions while our guide provides answers through illustration. Some of the pictured metaphors are lifted from the Institutes, such as drinking from the fountain of God’s goodness (i.e., Knowing Him as opposed to knowing about him). Historical figures like the Emperor Caligula and the Apostle Paul make their appearance, as well as Plutarch’s philosophical dialogue between Odysseus and an enchanted pig named Gryllus (after which Calvin serves up generous helpings of bacon). Each chapter ends with a summary and a list of discussion questions, plus an invitation to look up the material in the original source.

Does it work? As long as no one takes offense at the austere scholar of Geneva pictured as a spaceman, jungle explorer, or deep-sea diver, yes. Calvin’s principles are clearly and concisely explained with plenty of visual support and clever applications. Young readers will eat it up—and consume lots of sound theology, too. They’ll be ready to dive into Volume 2 whenever it shows up (I couldn’t find any information on that).

Bottom Line: A clear exposition of basic principles of a classic Reformed text, with clever visual aids and humorous touches.

*indicates a starred review (the best of the best in its field)

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Review: Follow this book up with The Illustrated Westminster Shorter Catechism (starred review) and The Doctrines of Grace.
• Review: If you’re scratching your head at the church history references above, check out Simonetta Carr’s excellent Church History (she packs a LOT into this one volume) and God’s Timeline by Linda Finlayson (both are starred reviews).
• Booklist: For more Reformation-specific titles, see our Reformation Church History Booklist!

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