Saturday, January 17, 2009

Calvin Against Common Grace

"When Paul says that that which may be known of God is manifested by the creation of the world, he does not mean such a manifestation as may be comprehended by the wit of man (Rom. 1:19); on the contrary, he shows that it has no further effect than to render us inexcusable (Acts 17:27). And though he says, elsewhere, that we have not far to seek for God, inasmuch as he dwells within us, he shows, in another passage, to what extent this nearness to God is availing. God, says he, “in times past, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless, he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness,” (Acts 14:16, 17). But though God is not left without a witness, while, with numberless varied acts of kindness, he woos men to the knowledge of himself, yet they cease not to follow their own ways, in other words, deadly errors." 1

It is clear from this quote from the Institutes that Calvin saw that the goodness of God expressed to the reprobate does nothing to bring them to conversion and they continue on in their "deadly errors" despite God's open show of His goodness in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.





1. Calvin, J., & Beveridge, H. (1996). Institutes of the Christian religion (electronic ed.) (Book I, v, 14). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.

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