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 …
Throwing Rocks at Heaven
Book 3/Chapter 21 Alleged peril (section 4) 1. What will obstinate people do with the doctrine of predestination? 2. Should this prevent us from teaching it? 3. What are several of these other doctrines? 4. Why can we safely follow Scripture in this? 5. In what way do opponents of this doctrine accuse God of …
Balance and Predestination
Book 3/Chapter 21 Predestination (section 1) 1. What reveals the wonderful depth of God’s judgment? 2. What are two characteristics of the doctrine? 3. What tears humility up by the roots? 4. What are the three benefits? 5. What happens if men pry too deeply into the subject? The rule for discussion (section 2) 1. …