How Is John Calvin Relevant Today

The image of God, as any other theological topic, has been seen biblically, historically, and theologically. The Bible teaches that God created man in His own image in Genesis 1:26-28. Then, in the third chapter of Genesis, Adam and Eve sin by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thus distorting the image of God in humanity. Even though it was distorted, it is seen that the image still remains in man through various passages in both the Old and New Testaments, including Genesis 9:6, which states that it is wrong to kill a man because the image of God is in him. The image of God has been approached from many different ways since the beginning of the church. In the second century, Irenaeus proposed that rationality and freedom compose the image of God in man. In the medieval times, Thomas Aquinas proposed that the image of God in mankind is the ability or rationality that man has to know God. Then, during the Reformation era, John Calvin proposed that the image of

Moreover, Calvinism was highly ascetic. Whereas, Catholicism and Lutheranism maintained that believers could essentially “work” for God’s forgiveness through faith, good works, etc., Calvinism stressed “systematic self-control necessary, in every moment” (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 127) and the “intensification of good works into a system” (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 129). These qualities suggested to Weber that Calvinism was the epitome of rationalism (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 130). In the context of religion, rationalization refers to the process of systematically organizing one’s life according to a methodical approach, with an intense orientation towards discipline, and the absence of “magic” or mystical elements (i.e., sacraments that can save the “damned”) (Kalberg 2011a: p. 422). This characteristic is what distinguishes Lutheranism from Calvinism. As opposed to Lutheranism, Weber ([1905] 2011) argues that “Calvinism forced [a] methodical organization of life upon the believer” (p. 135). This is due to the fact that salvation could always be won back in Lutheranism through penance. In contrast, Calvinism offered no means to acquire salvation, only hints or signs which were based on “uninterrupted self-control” and the “planned regulation of one’s own life” (Weber [1905] 2011: p. 136). Lutheranism was also characterized by less asceticism due to its teaching that salvation could be acquired. Therefore, Weber ([1905] 2011) also maintains that “Lutheranism lacks the psychological

In a time of chaos, the words, “God is in control,” can bring peace to believers and non-believers alike. This phrase has found its way to bumper stickers, Hallmark cards, and Facebook post, and in many ways it has become a junk drawer phrase – one that we pull out when we need a comforting cliché. When pandemonium breaks loose and we seem to have lost all control, then it is convenient for God to be in “control.” But what about when things are not? What if things are relatively normal.

The Protestant Reformation of the Catholic Church devastated the religious unity of Christian Europe, resulting in a great deal of antagonism, which in turn led to the persecutions, denial of civil rights, expulsion, and ultimately the torture and death of many men, women and children. The ongoing conflict was not consigned to one distinct European nation, but was experienced in every European nation that the Catholic Church ruled and reigned. There was no worldview in Europe at that time that allowed for the religious differences of men to coexist peaceably.

In this point, Christ’s redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation for them. Calvinism, on the other hand, believes that Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. The Spirit calling inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation illustrates Arminianism’s fourth point, The Holy Spirit Can Be Effectually Resisted. The Holy Spirit extending to the elect a special inward call that inevitable brings those to salvation is Calvinism’s fourth point, The Efficacious Call of the Spirit or Irresistable Grace. The last point of Arminianism is Falling From Grace. According to this point, those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith. Calvinism’s last point, Perseverance of the Faith, says that all who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. In summary, the Arminianism theological system says that salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of God and man while the Calvinism system believes that salvation is accomplished through the power of God. (Steele,

Adams’s model of biblical counseling is steeped in reformed theology. The entire Nouthetic counseling system rests upon the following implications about God described in John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion (Powlison, 2010, p. 98).

Institutes of the Christian Religion: A book by John Calvin that explained the Protestant systematic theology

If we travel back to the year 1500, the Church (what we now call the Roman Catholic Church) was very powerful both politically and spiritually in Western Europe. For some time the Church was seen as an institution weighed down by internal power struggles. Popes and Cardinals often lived more like kings than spiritual leaders. Popes claimed political as well as spiritual power. They commanded armies, made political alliances and enemies, and, sometimes, even waged war.

Likewise, Calvinism is another movement that is also called as reformed theology within Orthodox Protestantism. It was developed by John Calvin who is a French theologian. Calvinism is mainly focused on the view of Scripture and God’s word. For Calvinist belief, the sovereignty of God is so important. God created all of things such as humans, nature, and the world, etc. He does whatever He desires and God controls everything. Also, God predestines people what they do or when they die. In nature, anything cannot come true without permission of God and He knows everything. Furthermore, Calvinism emphasizes the God’s salvation and eternal decrees which is included in Bible. Calvinism is known with five points in terms of total depravity, unconditional

God designated before the creation of the world who would be saved and who would get to rot in hell. All creation exists for the sake of God, and has meaning only as means to the glory and majesty of God”(4). Many Calvinists would use bible verses and interpret them to fit their own needs. For example, the reason why capitalism was favored upon was because as God’s chosen people, God has deemed them to receive his blessing through material possessions. The ones who were less economically advantaged were because God had deemed them not to

At the outset I must make clear that Calvin defines Providence as this: "providence means not that by which God idly observes from heaven what

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.͟ Romans 5:1-2 While both systems of theology can be supported by scripture there is one that I lean towards the most. I believe Calvinism to be the most biblically sound. However, both of these are teachings of man and not Jesus. I want to learn from Him and so I’ll go straight to the Bible and let God take it from there.

For Calvin, the books following the Decalogue are an “exposition of the law.” The world despised it. Israeli failed to follow it. Christ fulfilled it. The Church is called to revere it.

John Calvin’s doctrine of predestination is arguably one of the most important results of the Protestant reformation. Predestination is the belief that “salvation[entrance into heaven] is given to only those whom god has chosen”. The chosen people were called the elect. John Calvin wrote this important belief during the era of the Protestant Reformation. People often formed negative opinions on predestination or let it rule their lives. Some people who did not think like Calvin loathed predestination because they believed that

1. In the Gospel of Mark, there are many important features that define Jesus. One point to make notice is his caring character. There are multiple instances where Jesus feeds an abundant amount of people. He was thankful that people were there to see him, so he did not want them to go home hungry. With seven loaves of bread and a few fish, Jesus fed four thousand people. He also did this again with 5 loaves and 2 fish, and he was able to feed five thousand people because he was compassionate towards them. These situations show that Jesus cared for his people and did not want them to suffer.