John Calvin Criticism
John Calvin (1509–1564) was a pivotal French theologian and reformer whose influence on the Protestant Reformation remains profound. His dedication to the principle of Sola Scriptura was tempered by a scholastic and humanist tradition, and his seminal work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, offers a comprehensive summary of Reformation theology. Calvin, following the example of St. Augustine, emphasized human depravity and the doctrine of predestination, asserting that salvation is predetermined by God for some, while others are not chosen, irrespective of merit. This theological framework significantly impacted areas such as business, law, culture, and governance, and continues to be reflected in the Reformed and Presbyterian churches worldwide.
Calvin was born in Noyon, France, and educated in theology and law in Paris and elsewhere. His conversion to Protestantism led to the publication of the Institutes and his eventual settlement in Geneva, where he played a crucial role in reforming the city's church and society. Despite challenges, including opposition from Geneva's city council and the controversial condemnation of Michael Servetus, Calvin's influence grew. His systematic preaching, biblical commentaries, and theological writings turned Geneva into a hub of Reformed thought.
Calvin’s major works include his exhaustive Institutes, sermon transcriptions, and vast correspondence that provide insight into his theology and character. His biblical commentaries, starting with Romans, explore key doctrines like justification and predestination, while his tracts engage in polemical defense of Protestantism. As noted by De Vries, Calvin saw the Word of God as a 'means of grace,' a shift in theological perspective during his time.
Calvin's theology has been both lauded and critiqued. The first edition of the Institutes was a major success in Reformation circles but met resistance from conservative aristocrats. However, among traders and the middle classes, his ideas found acceptance due to their focus on biblical authority and rejection of ecclesiastical abuses, as Hesselink explores in the context of law and gospel. Calvin’s thought has been a recurring theme in Western intellectual history, influencing movements like Puritanism and debates on free will versus predestination, as discussed in Rainbow's examination of predestination. His legacy persists as a cornerstone of theological study and debate, underscoring his significance as a leading figure in the Western European tradition.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Essays
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The Pathfinder: Calvin's Image on Martin Luther
(summary)
Below, Gerrish compares the two great Reformers, Luther and Calvin, asserting that, though Calvin never met Luther, Calvin's image of Luther can be fairly well ascertained through the Genevan's correspondence.
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Calvin's Critique of Calvinism
(summary)
In the following excerpt, originally delivered as a lecture, Oberman treats Calvinism as a movement made up of various traditions and schools of thought that are not necessarily in agreement with their namesake. Oberman believes that a study of the Reformer—especially in the areas of his humanism, issues of renewal and unity, the eucharist, science, piety, and state theory—leads to "Calvin critiquing Calvinism."
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Calvin and the Absolute Power of God
(summary)
In the following essay, Steinmetz explores John Calvin's critique of the medieval Scholastic distinction between God's absolute and ordained power, arguing that Calvin rejected this as speculative doctrine and chose to accept the mysteries of Divine Sovereignty based on biblical principles, while still engaging with its themes in his theology.
- III
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Law and Gospel or Gospel and Law? Calvin's Understanding of the Relationship
(summary)
In the following essay, Hesselink proposes that though Calvin sees an antithesis between Law and Gospel, their relationship is complementary in that humanity is "driven by the law to seek God's grace."
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'Initia Calvini': The Matrix of Calvin's Reformation
(summary)
Approaching Calvin from a psychological and literary direction, Oberman looks at the strange reticience of Calvin to open himself up in his theological writings. This lack of self-disclosure sets him apart from the sometimes obtrusive ego of Luther, but may have aided in making Calvin 'the compelling spokesman for all [Reformed] Christians in the European diaspora.' This essay was first delivered as a lecture in 1990.
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Christ and Election in Calvin's Theology
(summary)
In the following essay, Rainbow explores Calvin's theology of predestination, contrasting it with Arminian views, and argues that Calvin's understanding of Divine Election, Limited Atonement, and Assurance of Salvation is deeply interconnected, emphasizing that Christ's death and resurrection are central to salvation and align with a unified Trinitarian work.
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Calvin's Exegetical Via Media
(summary)
In the following essay, Puckett examines John Calvin's rejection of allegorical exegesis, arguing that Calvin, as a pioneer of Protestant Biblical hermeneutics, emphasized a grammatical-historical approach to the Old Testament while criticizing allegorical interpretations as superficial and contrary to the true simplicity and certainty of Scripture.
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Calvin on the Word as Sacrament
(summary)
In the following excerpt, De Vries analyzes the importance of Calvin's notion of the Word of God as a 'means of grace' and as a paradigm shift.
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The Pathfinder: Calvin's Image on Martin Luther
(summary)
- Further Reading