John Calvin stood as one of the
highly influential Christians of his millennium. As a great theologian as well
as a pastor in the Protestant Reformation period, he was a key figure in
developing Christian theology system which later became named after him. Formally trained humanism law, he shifted from Roman Catholic Church, and after tensions
that led to violence against the
Protestants in France, he fled to Basel where he wrote the first edition
of his seminal work. He was a great polemic and apologetic author who created
much controversy. John Calvin also exchanged cordial as well as supportive
letters with several reformers such as Philipp Melanchthon as well as Heinrich
Bullinger. Additionally to the Institutes, John Calvin wrote commentaries on
Bible books and theological treatises as well as confessional materials. John
Calvin always preached sermons in the entire week in Geneva. He was highly influenced by the Augustinian
culture, which made him expound on the doctrine of predestination as well as
the absolute sovereignty of God in the salvation human soul from death as well
as to the eternal damnation. His writing, as well as preaching, availed the
seeds for theology branch which bears his name. The Presbyterian and Reformed
churches, which are modeled on him as their main beliefs’ expositor, are now
many in the world. In his Commentaries on Election and Predestination edition,
John Calvin gave main points as well as illustrations. In his major
Commentaries on Election and Predestination Quotes, John Calvin said the
following
He said that it always appear harsh
to many to think that God selects some people and rejects others. He said that
God does not consider men’s worth and that since he has his free will, he picks
whom he pleases and rejects others. Does
he end with a question saying ‘But what is this scruple except a choice to call
God to their order and subject him to judgment? (John, 958). This main point is vital among Christians
from the fact that it gives hope for the less fortunate. On the other hand, it
may discourage those who are advantaged in the process of seeking salvation.
The other major points given by John Calvin justify the choices made by God.
This aspect is same in the bible. Calvin said that, as Paul testifies,
election, which is the cause of good works, does not depend on upon men but God
himself. This is important since
elections are the work of God and not people. This can also be depicted in the
Bible were God chose David from his strong brothers as a leader. The other
major point said by John Calvin says that God’s foreknowledge can’t be the
reason of people’s election. The reason
is that when God looks into the future and surveys all humanity, he will get
them all, from the first one to the last one, under one curse. This shows that
God can see beyond what people can see and his decision in making choices is
valid. He also said that it is always an amazing judgment of God that when he
had the entire earth in his hands, he selected his people out of the
contemptible folk, instead of the upper classes who would have brought the name
of Jesus greater credit using their own great Excellencies. This is important in encouraging people in
the social classes that they are equal in the eyes of God.
Lastly, John Calvin said that is
always evident that people rage against Jesus himself when they raise a hue and
cry on hearing that in God's will, some are freely chosen while others are rejected;
they do so because they cannot bear to let God have his way. This shows that
some people always what to be special before God when God doesn’t want this. An
example of these is then Pharisees in the Bible.
References
Calvin,
John, Library of Christian Classics. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press,
1958. Print.
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