John Calvin's Doctrine Of Election
TMM3141 Church History in Focus
Michaelmas Term 2017
Garam Han (Exchange student from Columbia Theological Seminary)
Calvin’s understanding of Election.
A contemporary Reformed theologian Daniel Migliore says, “Few doctrines in the history of Christian theology have been as misunderstood and distorted, and few have caused as much controversy and distress, as the doctrine of the eternal decrees of God or double predestination.” The doctrine of the election and predestination has been arguable, and it will continue until the coming of Jesus Christ. John Calvin warns the people who want to know about the God’s election by saying that the doctrine of election is “what the Lord has willed to be hid in himself”, and also “[God] would have us …show more content…
After Augustine’s understanding about the human beings “as served by God’s free, unearned grace, may well imply a choice on God’ part as to whom the grace should be given” , theologians have tended to wrestle with the doctrine of election; some believe that God choose by foreknowledge. Some believe God has limited his/her freedom by promise to save such people. Some -like Protestants of the Reformation Era- have accepted predestination as a theological necessity. In this background, many Protestants had anxieties from all the new sources in various ways, and John Calvin tries to resolve all the assumptions about the doctrine of election in Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin believes predestination “as a logical and reassuring idea.” Thus, Calvin tries to help others understand through his writing about the …show more content…
Calvin proclaims that predestination is “God’s eternal decree.” This proclamation supports the idea that the Israel is the elected forever, only because of the covenant with Abraham. Although the salvation to the Israel is freely given grace, Calvin asserts that the Israel should also keep the promise before God. The covenant connects to Jesus, who is the Head. As Calvin connects the covenant of Israel to Jesus Christ, he naturally explains how the non-Israel could participate in the grace of salvation.
At the end of the doctrine, he warns us once again that keeping the promise from God, remembering God’s freely given grace, and continuing response to God by trusting the doctrine. The most distinct part of Calvin’s assertion is Calvin’s understanding of election is not equal opportunity for everyone , and it forces the people just obey to it because God is God. He believes the salvation is freely given for some people, but the way of salvation is blocked for some people by God’s will. This interpretation shows God’s unequal love among the group. Calvin’s idea of election is very limited only for the specific people. His understanding of the election is very exclusive, and only focusing on the
Michaelmas Term 2017
Garam Han (Exchange student from Columbia Theological Seminary)
Calvin’s understanding of Election.
A contemporary Reformed theologian Daniel Migliore says, “Few doctrines in the history of Christian theology have been as misunderstood and distorted, and few have caused as much controversy and distress, as the doctrine of the eternal decrees of God or double predestination.” The doctrine of the election and predestination has been arguable, and it will continue until the coming of Jesus Christ. John Calvin warns the people who want to know about the God’s election by saying that the doctrine of election is “what the Lord has willed to be hid in himself”, and also “[God] would have us …show more content…
After Augustine’s understanding about the human beings “as served by God’s free, unearned grace, may well imply a choice on God’ part as to whom the grace should be given” , theologians have tended to wrestle with the doctrine of election; some believe that God choose by foreknowledge. Some believe God has limited his/her freedom by promise to save such people. Some -like Protestants of the Reformation Era- have accepted predestination as a theological necessity. In this background, many Protestants had anxieties from all the new sources in various ways, and John Calvin tries to resolve all the assumptions about the doctrine of election in Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin believes predestination “as a logical and reassuring idea.” Thus, Calvin tries to help others understand through his writing about the …show more content…
Calvin proclaims that predestination is “God’s eternal decree.” This proclamation supports the idea that the Israel is the elected forever, only because of the covenant with Abraham. Although the salvation to the Israel is freely given grace, Calvin asserts that the Israel should also keep the promise before God. The covenant connects to Jesus, who is the Head. As Calvin connects the covenant of Israel to Jesus Christ, he naturally explains how the non-Israel could participate in the grace of salvation.
At the end of the doctrine, he warns us once again that keeping the promise from God, remembering God’s freely given grace, and continuing response to God by trusting the doctrine. The most distinct part of Calvin’s assertion is Calvin’s understanding of election is not equal opportunity for everyone , and it forces the people just obey to it because God is God. He believes the salvation is freely given for some people, but the way of salvation is blocked for some people by God’s will. This interpretation shows God’s unequal love among the group. Calvin’s idea of election is very limited only for the specific people. His understanding of the election is very exclusive, and only focusing on the