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Calvin, John. Calvin's "Institutes": A New Compend. Introduction by Hugh Kerr. John Knox
Press, 1989
According to author and theologian Hugh Kerr, regarding the founder of Calvinism, "much of Calvin's system, as well as his polemics against Roman Catholicism have become outdated and irrelevant for modern thought. Systems as such are under general suspicion in almost every area of life" while pluralism is favored as the dominant way of conceptualizing the relationships between modern religions (Kerr 16). However, although some of Calvin's writings have been consigned to the dust heap of history, Calvin also has much to teach us, and many of his writings are still potentially inspiring and useful for modern readers. Calvin's most famous (some might say infamous) notion was the doctrine of predestination, or the notion that God has already 'elected' certain persons to be saved (Kerr 10). The Compend is intended to distill Calvin's writings and beliefs into manageable form for the modern reader, so he or she can judge Calvin on his own terms.
It would be mistaken to believe that Calvin had a sense of superiority regarding his belief schema because of his notion of 'election.' Calvin stressed the essentially hypocritical, fallen nature of all human souls, which could only be redeemed through God's grace. Calvin believed that the 'proof' of God's existence lay in the natural inclination of the human to see God in the world. Religion is not a product of folklore, even though some religions may be fraudulent, but the apprehension...
This instinct is smothered by wickedness, which causes us to forget God and our innate knowledge of his influence upon our lives. God's beneficence is evident everywhere in the universe: "wherever you cast your eyes, there is no spot in the universe wherein you cannot discern at least some sparks of his glory" (Calvin 24). Those who do not acknowledge this are turning from the wisdom that is engraved upon the human heart.
A great deal of the book actually seems relevant to the religious debates of today -- such as the protest of many people that they are 'spiritual' but not 'religious' or worship nature, rather than the reflection of God's hand in nature. Calvin adamantly speaks out against those who would equate 'nature' with God -- nature is not the same thing as God, rather God created nature. However, there is an orderly process to the world, and just as Calvin condemns secularists who attempt to distill divinity from the creation, it is just as critical to Calvin's philosophy that those who see fate as proceeding willy-nilly without the overriding hand of God, are in error. "How many of us there are who, when we lift our eyes up to heaven or cast them about through the various regions of the earth, recall our minds to a remembrance of the Creator, and do not rather, disregarding their author, sit in idle contemplation of his works?" (Calvin 25).
This quote reflects how, despite his 'doom and gloom' reputation, Calvin's belief…
Calvinism in the South Calvinism Calvinism is an interconnection of beliefs and influences adopted by many denominations, and creeds (Bowen 2014). It was first known as the reformed theology, produced by the Protestant Movement started by Martin Luther in the 16th century. It sought to alter or reform the perspectives of the Roman Catholic Church in explaining the basis for man's salvation through the sovereignty of God (CARM 2014). Since then, it
His most crucial involvement was in the organization of the governing of the church and the social structure of not only the church but the city (of Geneva, Switzerland). He was also a major political strategist and thinker. He modeled the social organization entirely on biblical principles. It was Calvin, for instance who established the same hierarchy we utilize today in Christian churches. He incorporated the church into the Geneva
17th Century Portraits Art that was produced in northern Europe in the 17th century quite different from the art in southern Europe. This difference was based on the fact that in northern Europe -- particularly in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland -- Calvinist approaches to Christianity were the rule. In southern Europe, particularly Italy and Spain, the Catholic Church still held sway, and painters tended to be loyal images that reflected
Salvation Debate- Calvinism and Arminianism Calvinism and Arminianism are two different systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's free will. What differentiates these views is the issue of free will and whether people have any as compared to God's will. Some people claim that God's will supersedes human will in all situations if God's will is different. On the other hand, some people
Providence debate or the debate over depravity and atonement, Armenianism vs. Calvinism is one of the "doctrines that divide."[footnoteRef:1] The debate continues among Evangelicals even though the original battle began in the seventeenth century. The crux of the difference between Calvinism and Armenianism is that the latter group believes that God has bestowed free will upon human beings, and as such, free will can be used to opt out
Calvinism and the Reformation John Calvin (originally Jean Cauvin) was born July 10th, 1509, in the merchant city of Noyon, France, in a family of modest ancestry of watermen and artisans. His father, Girard Cauvin, ran the course of a respectable bourgeoisie member who studied law and went all the way from a town clerk to the position of a procurator of the cathedral chapter. As a prediction to his son's further