Calvinism: An Introduction
Reformation versus Restoration You may have heard of the “Reformation” and the “Restoration” What is the difference between these two terms and movements as it relates to the restoring the purity of New Testament Christianity?
Reformation versus Restoration Reformation accepts a lessthanperfect church as still the church, and it believes the church has always existed, just as Jesus said it would. But it has always been in need of reform, even from the beginning. Restorationism is a doctrine about the church that presumes that (1) the true church went out of existence; (2) the existing churches are false churches; (3) the primitive church as the ideal church is revealed in the New Testament on a "fixed pattern" basis; and (4) we are to "restore" that church and thus have the one true church.
The Reformation In the 16 th century, two large “Christian” movements existed: The Roman Catholic Church primarily in Western Europe and the Orthodox Church primarily in Eastern Europe and Asia. The Great Schism occurred in 1054 over papal authority.
Early Reformation John Wycliffe in England in the 14 th century –Opposed Papal authority and authored first English translation of the Bible Jan Hus in Bohemia in the early 15 th century –Furthered Wycliffe’s vision that everyone should read the Bible in their own language, not Latin –Burned at the stake Both key early reformers began to raise objections to several practices in the Roman Catholic Church. Context: Gutenberg Bible, 1452
Martin Luther ( ) Reformation –Came to fruition in 1517 in the person of Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic monk and teacher of theology in Wittenburg, Germany. Nailed 95 theses to the Wittenburg Church door. –Selling indulgences –Authority of Pope (Vicar, 49AD) Justification by Faith Only Eph. 2:8-9 and James 2:17 Sola Gratia. Sola Fides. Sola Scriptura.
Ulrich Zwingli ( ) Began the Swiss Reformation preaching and teaching in Zurich in Zwingli believed that only that for which distinct authorization could be found in the Scriptures was allowable in religious practice. Differed with Luther over the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. –(Luther->transubstantiation) Although he disagreed, his followers led to the Anabaptists (“again baptizers”; opposed infant baptism and sprinkling) How come these guys never smile!
John Calvin ( ) French born and educated, published the Institutes of the Christian Religion in Geneva citizens forced to profess under oath; revised laws of city – theocracy; alienated many under political opposition
The Reformation produced two major new church movements Lutherans (began in Germany and spread throughout central Europe and Scandanavia) Studied later Reformed (began in Switzerland and spread throughout the Netherlands, France, and the British Isles) Focus of the next few weeks
Calvinism: An Introduction Why study Calvinism? –It is basic to nearly all religious questions that will be discussed when studying with friends and family in denominations –Many of these concepts existed before Calvin in various forms and studying them shows the history of thought when trying to understand Scripture –Understand how one false premise can lead to a chain of doctrinal errors
Calvinism: An Introduction The Foundation of his doctrine Misconception of God’s Sovereignty versus Man’s Free Will –“Now…God…arranges all things…he has decreed that they are so to happen…it is clear that all events take place by his sovereign appointment.” “Scriptures clearly prove…that God by his eternal and immutable counsel determined once for all those who it was his pleasure one day to admit to salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, it was his pleasure to doom to destruction.” (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion)
Calvinism: An Introduction –“Individuals are born, who are doomed from the womb to a certain death, and are to glorify him by their destruction.” (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion) –“God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass.” (Presbyterian Confession of Faith, chap 3, sec 1) ”God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass, especially concerning angels and men.” (Larger Catechism)
Calvinism: An Introduction Calvin’s Fundamental Presuppositions –Divine Sovereignty = Absolute Predestination Of All Human Events –Divine Inspiration = Knowledge of Scriptures By Direct Intervention of the Holy Spirit
Calvinism: An Introduction Calvin’s Presumptions Answered –Note the doctrine under review. It is not that God has from all eternity ordained, but that he has ‘unchangeably’ ordained; not some things, but “whatsoever cometh to pass”—everything. –Counter: God ordained that in 40 days Nineveh shall be destroyed but ‘changed’ his mind (Jonah 3:4) Did God deceive Jonah knowing that he ordained it not to be destroyed? Did God lie saying, “I’m going to destroy it” when before the foundation of the world he “unchangeably fore- ordained” that he would not? “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4) Is it not more in harmony with the text that God was going to destroy it unless by the free will of the Ninevites they repented?
Calvinism: An Introduction Calvin’s Presumptions Answered –Counter: God ordained that Hezekiah shall die, yet later adds 15 yrs to his life (2 Kings 20) Here the prayers and tears of Hezekiah changed the decree of God. Did God deceive Hezekiah knowing that he ordained that he would not die? –Did God lie saying, “Your are going to die” when before the foundation of the world he “unchangeably fore-ordained” that he would not for 15 years? –“Let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom: 3:4)
Calvinism: An Introduction Calvin’s Presumptions Answered –Saul pursuing David to Keilah but did not go? (1 Samuel 23:11-13) Did God decree from all eternity ‘everything’ that was going to come to pass? According to Calvinism, it should read, “Saul will not come down, nor will Keilah deliver you into his hands for I have unchangeably ordained that you will leave that place.” This is what happened. Yet did God choose to deceive David when he said “Saul will come down.” When before the world began he knew he wouldn’t? Or is it more accurate to believe that God allowed foreknowledge to be conditioned upon David’s free-will choice?
Calvinism: An Introduction Calvin’s Presumptions Answered –Genesis 6:5-6 Why be sorry if he made it be, if he foreordained it to happen? –Genesis 22:12 Now shouldn’t God have said, “I already knew from the foundation of the world?” But instead he says, “now I know.” Inferring before that he didn’t! He was testing him, but why test if the outcome was already unchangeably foreordained? Incomprehensible, unless free-will and human choice enter the picture. –Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5 This did come to pass - the Jews did do this, yet God said it never came into his mind that they should do them! How did God unchangeably foreordain things, which never entered his mind?
Calvinism: An Introduction Calvin’s Presumptions Answered –“Now, if this doctrine of foreordination be true then it would be impossible for man to err. Because whatever man does is in keeping and brought about by God’s predetermined decree and therefore cannot be wrong. If he does anything—it matters not what—whether good or bad—if God has ordained every thing, He has ordained that thing. If it comes to pass that a man lies, God has not ordained that he should lie, but He has unchangeably ordained it.” (TW. Brents, Gospel Plan of Salvation, p8) –“And if the Presumptions of Calvin be true then the whole theory of sin, accountability, rewards, and punishments, in harmony with justice and mercy, are incomprehensible. Every act of man is but carrying out the unchangeable purposes of God.” (TW Brents)
Calvinism: An Introduction T.U.L.I.P; Calvin’s doctrinal system as it relates to the spiritual condition of man. –T otal Hereditary Depravity U nconditional Election L imited Atonement I rresistible Grace P erseverance of the Saints