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Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God
The name of John Calvin is frequently associated with the doctrine of predestination. Published in 1552 to counteract the criticisms and contrary views being taught by others, this work shows Calvin rigorously defending his controversial position. Readers will witness Calvin masterfully arguing his points, wrestling with scriptures, and fully engaged in the rough-and-tumble polemical world of sixteenth-century theological debate.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
John Calvin
1,741 books541 followersFrench-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in
Institutes of the Christian Religion
(1536).
The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.
* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)
Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.
After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.
Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.
Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.
The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.
* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)
Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.
After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.
Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.
Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 24, 2016
Calvin had this published after another controversy broke out against his doctrine of election. What is interesting is that the first generation Reformed confessions either only hint at predestination, or presuppose it. Calvin here, however, explicates clearly and succinctly the doctrine that he had previously outlined in his institutes.
In fact, he often times pretty much says, "just read my Institutes on it," if not quoting Augustine on the matter. Essentially he lays it out thus: all things must be traced back to God's will, because nothing his higher or outside of God's will and providence which is not just bare foreknowledge but is active government over all of creation. God willing and human willing are not equal or unilateral, as God wills all things for a greater purpose of goodness or justice although we can never know what that purpose is because it is hidden from us. Faith is a gift and is the "mother of election" and God who is almighty wise and good never wills anything that is not congruent within himself, contra the Sorbonne theologians, and works all things out for the good of the elect.
There were some solid gems in here.
In fact, he often times pretty much says, "just read my Institutes on it," if not quoting Augustine on the matter. Essentially he lays it out thus: all things must be traced back to God's will, because nothing his higher or outside of God's will and providence which is not just bare foreknowledge but is active government over all of creation. God willing and human willing are not equal or unilateral, as God wills all things for a greater purpose of goodness or justice although we can never know what that purpose is because it is hidden from us. Faith is a gift and is the "mother of election" and God who is almighty wise and good never wills anything that is not congruent within himself, contra the Sorbonne theologians, and works all things out for the good of the elect.
There were some solid gems in here.
April 4, 2015
Also read in May of 2008
Very good treatment of predestination. Calvin does a great job treating many of the relevant texts and objections to the doctrine. He also clarifies his position showing where it has been misunderstood. Calvin humbly refuses to go beyond what is written, but he also refuses to let one text blatantly contradict another. He keeps the reader going back to central questions. Why is one man redeemed and the other man not? His section on providence is wonderful. Reading the book, it is clear the Calvin teaches classic predestination. Finally the way he insults Pighius is worth the price of the book.
The formatting on my version, which is the one pictured, needs some work. First, it needs more paragraphs. The text can be hard on the eyes. Second, Calvin quotes Augustine over and over again, but in my version it is difficult to tell where the quotes end. Italics or quotations marks should be added to indicate where Calvin is speaking and where he is quoting someone else.
Very good treatment of predestination. Calvin does a great job treating many of the relevant texts and objections to the doctrine. He also clarifies his position showing where it has been misunderstood. Calvin humbly refuses to go beyond what is written, but he also refuses to let one text blatantly contradict another. He keeps the reader going back to central questions. Why is one man redeemed and the other man not? His section on providence is wonderful. Reading the book, it is clear the Calvin teaches classic predestination. Finally the way he insults Pighius is worth the price of the book.
The formatting on my version, which is the one pictured, needs some work. First, it needs more paragraphs. The text can be hard on the eyes. Second, Calvin quotes Augustine over and over again, but in my version it is difficult to tell where the quotes end. Italics or quotations marks should be added to indicate where Calvin is speaking and where he is quoting someone else.
July 5, 2016
Simple and profound. Polemical and pastoral. This is a second book in a series of three dealing primarily with Pighius. The first is Calvin's Bondage of the Will then this book, Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, and finally his The Secret Providence of God. Calvin deals so well with objections to predestination that were as prevalent then as they are now. There really is no new objection under the sun. A wonderfully doctrinal and devotional book. I highly recommend it.
April 13, 2009
Excellent. Also read in April of 1990.
September 1, 2010
Read this sometime in the late '80's, one of my first exposures to raw Calvin.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews