Post on 18-Dec-2015
John Calvin1509-1564
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Institutes of the Christian Religion
1536
Institutes of the Christian Religion
1536
Calvinism
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 – God changed His mind
Calvin’s Assumptions Answered
2 Kings 20 – God changed His mind
How could this be if God has unchangeably foreordained everything that will happen?
Calvin’s Assumptions Answered
Calvin’s basic assumption that the sovereignty of God = foreordaining everything that will happen…
Is false.
Calvin’s TULIP
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.U.L.I.P
Calvin’s doctrinal system as it relates to the spiritual condition of man.
Calvin’s TULIP
Total Hereditary Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints
Total Hereditary Depravity
Total – “Complete in degree; absolute, thorough.” (Webster)
Total Hereditary Depravity
Hereditary – “of or passed down by heredity; designating or of a characteristic transmitted from generation to generation.” (Webster)
Total Hereditary Depravity
Depravity – “corruption” (Webster) – “Inability” (Calvin attaches this idea to it)
Total Hereditary Depravity
“Total depravity; in theology, the doctrine that man’s nature is innately bad and perverse because of original sin.” (Webster)
Total Hereditary Depravity
Are We Born Sinners?
Calvinism says “Yes.”
Total Hereditary Depravity
“Original sin, therefore, appears to be a hereditary depravity and corruption of our nature, diffused through all the parts of the soul, rendering us obnoxious to the Divine wrath, and producing in us those works which the Scripture calls, ‘works of the flesh’”
(John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 2 chapter 1)
Total Hereditary Depravity
“By this sin (eating the forbidden fruit) they (our first parents) fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
Total Hereditary Depravity
They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation.
Total Hereditary Depravity
For this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.” (Presbyterian Confession of Faith, Chapter 6)
Total Hereditary Depravity
The doctrine answered from Scripture…
Matthew 18.1-5Matthew 19.13-142 Samuel 12.15-23Ecclesiastes 7.29
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Genesis 6.5
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Gen 6:5 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.
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Gen 6:5 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.
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Genesis 6.5Job 14.4
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 14:4 NKJV) Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 14:4 NKJV) Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 14:4 NKJV) Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Genesis 6.5Job 14.4
Job 15.14-16
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 15:14-16 NKJV) "What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 15:14-16 NKJV) "What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 15:14-16 NKJV) "What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Job 15:14-16 NKJV) "What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?
Total Hereditary Depravity
{15} If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight, {16} How much less man, who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!
Total Hereditary Depravity
{15} If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight, {16} How much less man, who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Genesis 6.5Job 14.4
Job 15.14-16Psalm 51.5
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Psa 51:5 NKJV) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Psa 51:5 NKJV) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Romans 3.10-18
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Romans 3.10-18
Total Hereditary Depravity
Calvin’s Proof Texts?
Romans 3.10-18
Total Hereditary Depravity
Does man, born of Adam, have the ability to obey
God?
Calvinism says “No.”
Total Hereditary Depravity
“Man, by his fall into sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will
to any spiritual good accompanying salvation…is
not able by his own strength, to convert himself or to
prepare himself thereunto.”(Presb. Conf. of Faith, Chapter 9, sec. 3)
Total Hereditary Depravity
Does man, born of Adam, have the ability to obey
God?
The Scriptures say “Yes.”
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Mat 7:7-8 NKJV) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek,
and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. {8}
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Total Hereditary Depravity
(John 7:17 NKJV) "If anyone wants to do His will, he
shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on
My own authority.
Total Hereditary Depravity
(Rev 22:17 NKJV) And the Spirit and the bride say,
"Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let
him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him
take the water of life freely.
Total Hereditary Depravity
So, is the first great pedal of Calvinism’s TULIP true?
No.
Calvin’s TULIP
Total Hereditary Depravity
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints