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Institutes of the Christian Religion 1536

Calvinism: An Introduction

From Calvin’s Own Pen The Foundation of his doctrine (Misconception of God’s Sovereignty) “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.”

From Calvin’s Own Pen 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)

From Calvin’s Own Pen ”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)

From Calvin’s Own Pen “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)

From Calvin’s Own Pen ”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)

Calvin’s Fundamental Assumptions Divine Sovereignty = Absolute Predestination of All Human Events

Calvin’s Fundamental Assumptions Divine Inspiration = Knowledge of Scriptures by Direct intervention of the Holy Spirit

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered The doctrine – Not that God has from all eternity ordained… But that He has “unchangeably” ordained

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered The doctrine – Not some things… But whatsoever comes to pass – everything!

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (Jonah 3:4 NKJV) And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (Jonah 3:10 NKJV) Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (2 Ki 20:1 NKJV) In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.'"

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (2 Ki 20:2-6 NKJV) Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered {3} "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered {4} And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered {5} "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered {6} "And I will add to your days fifteen years…

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (1 Sam 23:11-13 NKJV) "Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant." And the LORD said, "He will come down."

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered {12} Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will deliver you."

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered {13} So David and his men, about six hundred, arose and departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then it was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition.

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (Gen 6:5-6 NKJV) Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. {6} And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart..

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (Gen 22:12 NKJV) And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.".

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (Jer 7:31 NKJV) "And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart..

Calvin’s Assumptions Answered (Jer 7:31 NKJV) "And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart..

Calvinism: An Introduction

Calvin’s TULIP

T.U.L.I.P Calvin’s doctrinal system as it relates to the spiritual condition of man.

Calvin’s TULIP T otal Hereditary Depravity U nconditional Election L imited Atonement I rresistible Grace P erseverance of the Saints