The concept of equity in Calvin's ethics

the long version

Although much has been written about the theology of John Calvin since his death, it has only been in recent years that the depth, range and dynamic of his social ethics have been recognized by scholars. In his landmark book The Concept of Equity in Calvin's Ethics, Guenther Haas maintains that the concept of equity is the theme of central importance in understanding the depth and range of Calvin's social ethics. To appreciate the concept of equity in Calvin's thought, it is important to understand the history, development and meaning of equity in Western ethical thought, as well as Calvin's interpretation of it. To accomplish this, Haas provides, in Part One, a brief survey of the development of the concept of equity from Aristotle to the scholastics and its use by Calvin's contemporaries. Haas also examines the influences on Calvin's thinking before and after his conversion to Protestantism, with special attention paid to those influences that employed the concept of equity. In the heart of this study, Part Two, "Equity in Calvin's Ethics," Haas presents a thorough exposition and analysis of the extensive role the concept of equity plays in Calvin's ethics. He clearly demonstrates that Calvin's approach to ethics is not restricted to the meditation of the text of Scripture.