9 – The Contrast
Between Calvinism & Arminianism – The Providence of God – Predestination
(Part Three)
The Providence of God – Predestination (Part Three)
Predestination in the
Reformed Theology: Theology of the
Reformed church adopted the Calvinistic doctrine of the decree of
predestination and election. Calvin,
however, simply carried the Augustinian theory to its logical and necessary
conclusion, and he was the first to adopt the doctrine as the cardinal point or
primordial principle of a theological system.
Zwingli, it must be remembered, was, even before Calvin, of consistent
deterministic leanings, as part of his large speculative views, which were not
without a tendency to universalism.
Salvation was, to Calvin, the execution of a divine decree, which was
supposed to fix the extent and conditions of such salvation.
(1)
Calvin’s
definition. – Reprobation was, for Calvin, involved in election, and divine
foreknowledge and foreordination were taken to be identical. Calvin’s mode of defining predestination was
as the eternal decree of God, which He has decided with Himself what is to
become of each and every individual. For
all, he maintains, are not created in like condition; but eternal life ordained
for some, eternal condemnation for others.
Calvin confesses that this is a “horrible decree,” and it is not
surprising to find competent theologians in our time denying such a form of
predestinariansim any place in the teachings of Paul, who never speaks of
reprobation.
(2)
Theology
advanced by Calvin. – It is generally overlooked, however, that theological
advance registered by Calvin is to be seen by study of the views of the Middle
Ages, and on to the Reformation, not by viewing Calvinism in our
post-Reformation lights. It was love –
“the fatherly love of God,” as he terms it–the efficiency of saving love-which
Calvin insisted upon, above all, in his teaching about God. But Calvin also heightened men’s ideas as to
the certitude of personal salvation. It
is but fair to Calvin to remember-for superficial acquaintance with his
teachings is far from rare-that he, in the strongest manner, maintained divine sovereignty
to be that of divine wisdom, righteousness, and love, and expressly rejected
the notion of absolute power as, in this connection, a heathenish idea. The Calvinistic doctrine was not absolute,
but mediated in Christ, and conditioned upon faith.
(International
Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996 by
Biblesoft)
Next we’ll look at “The Providence of God –
Predestination (Part Four)”
Doug
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