CHURCH HISTORY II Lesson 7 The Theology of John Calvin

1
CHURCH HISTORY IILesson 7 The Theology of
John Calvin
2
The histories of all past times are a true
school on how to regulate our lives but sacred
history is superior because it lays down general
principles by which we may examine every other
history and because it displays more clearly
what should be imitated and what
avoided. John Calvin
Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and
knowledge of God! How unsearchable His
judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out
Romans 1133
3
Of all the famous theologians of church history,
the titans of knowledge upon whose shoulders we
stand, none has been more maligned or vilified
than John Calvin R.C. Sproul
4
REFORMER
Calvin found Protestantism a mob and transformed
it into a church B.B. Warfield
Church
Ecclesiastical Ordinances of the Church in Geneva
Elders Pastors Teachers (Doctors) Deacons
5
State
Calvin not a dictator
Geneva not a theocracy
Michael Servetus (1511-1553)
I was willing to risk my life to win him to our
Lord, if possible
6
Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536-1559)
holds a place in the short list of books that
have notably affected the course of
history John T McNeill
I. Growth of a book
A. From booklet of 1536 to 4 books in 1559
B. Not revised but expanded

• Study of the church fathers

• Ministry at Strassburg and Geneva

• Study of Scriptures

Accuracy Clarity Brevity - Humility
God limits our knowledge first that we should
be kept humble and also that we should continue
to have dealings with our fellows.
The majesty of the Word of God is somehow
diminished if we do not interpret it with great
discretion and moderation
7
God has given me grace to write what I have
written as faithfully as it was in my power. I
have not falsified a single passage of the
Scripture, nor given it a wrong interpretation to
the best of my knowledgeand always aimed at
simplicity. 1544
Treatise by Calvin
C. Not revised but re-arranged
Book I God the Creator
Book II God the Redeemer
Book III God the Giver of Life
Book IV God the Lord of the Church
ORDER AND CONTENT
8
II. Characteristics of the Institutes
A. Biblical
1. Priority of Scripture
2. Use of Scripture
Calvin was a wholesale plagiarist, from Moses
and David, Isaiah and Ezekiel, Jesus and John,
Peter and Paul The Gospel as Taught by Calvin,
R.C. Reed
B. Systematic
1. Not iron clad logic

• Respects the limits of Scripture

learned ignorance
C. Devotional
it is not the head but the heart that Calvin is
appealing to in his Institutes B.B. Warfield
9

• Summa pietatis the whole sum of piety and
  whatever
• is necessary to know in the doctrine of
  salvation

2. unless (we) establish our complete happiness
in (God), we will never give (ourselves) truly
and sincerely to Him
3. Goal is worship
Doctrine of God
Doctrine of election
Doctrine of the Lords Supper
D. Practical

• not in an ivory tower, but against the
  background of
• teething troubles T.H.L. Parker

10
2. Not scholastic but a street corner
theologian
3. The principal of accommodation
a. Scripture proceeds at the pace of a mother
stooping to her child, so to speak, so as not to
leave us behind in our weaknesses
b. We must, therefore, consider what questions
each is able to bear, and accommodate our
doctrine to the capacity of the individual
Commentary Romans 141
May the Lord grant that we may contemplate the
mysteries of his heavenly wisdom with truly
increasing devotion to his glory and to our
edification preface to 1559 edition