For those who still care about these issues, allow me to point out what Calvin says in the course of today’s reading. He says that in order to understand the biblical phrase “many are called but few are chosen” we have to realize that there are two kinds of call, general and special. The general …
General and Special Call
Book 3/Chapter 24 In Christ alone (section 5) 1. Where is election alone to be found? 2. Who alone is the fountain of life? 3. If we then have been chosen in Christ, where will we not find assurance? 4. If we want more than to be sons and heirs, what would we have to …
Election and Call
Book 3/Chapter 24 Election and the call (section 1) 1. Why does God teach His elect? 2. Can grace be received by a hard heart? 3. What does Scripture couple together so that we know that free mercy is to be sought? 4. How does Augustine turn around the view that “willing and running” are …
Balanced Augustinianism
Book 3/Chapter 23 No injustice (section 11) 1. When God chooses some for life, and others not, why is He free from accusation? Not encouraging carelessness (section 12) 1. What is the next objection to this teaching? 2. Does Calvin acknowledge that some distort the doctrine this way? 3. But what does Paul say we …
Decretum Horribile
Book 3/Chapter 23 Man’s responsibility (section 6) 1. What is the next objection to election that Calvin answers? 2. Does Calvin agree that foreknowledge by itself is not deterministic? A predestined fall (section 7) 1. Does Calvin grant that the decree is dreadful? 2. If there were a legitimate complaint, where would it have to …
Resting in Wonder
Book 3/Chapter 23 The other side of the coin (section 1) 1. What does human understanding when it hears the truths of election? 2. If God passes over someone instead of electing him, what does that amount to? 3. Is hardening in the hand of God? 4. Is the relationship of God to good and …
Learning to Not Patronize Paul
Book 3/Chapter 21 The fathers on foreknowledge (section 8) 1. Which church fathers appealed to God’s foreknowledge of grace used well? 2. What is Calvin’s “the dog that did not bark” argument against this view? 3. What is the relationship between God’s grace and our fitness? Thomist subtlety (section 9) 1. What does Calvin do …
No Idle Balcony
Book 3/Chapter 21 Jacob’s blessing (section 6) 1. Why was Jacob’s blessing not to be considered as merely to earthly prosperity? 2. What does it mean that God has mercy on whom He will have mercy? 3. From what vantage does God not watch the future? Christ’s testimony (section 7) 1. What is the beginning …
Jesus the Elect One
Book 3/Chapter 22 Election or foreknowledge (section 1) 1. What do some do because God chooses some and passes over others? 2. What do Calvin’s opponents needs to explain and answer? 3. Who is the principal beneficiary of election? Prior distinction (section 2) 1. What distinction can be made among those who do not yet …
Two Degrees of Election
Book 3/Chapter 21 The second degree (section 6) 1. What is the second, more limited degree of election? 2. What then are the two degrees? Election proper (section 7) 1. What is only half explained? 2. How does Calvin explain what makes up this individual election? 3. What enables the elect to persevere to the …