Fit to be chosen? - 11 June 2010 |
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Having worked through an introduction to Reformed covenant theology in the last few sessions of the Guided Reading Course, we’re now moving on to the doctrine of election. The reading for session 29 is Calvin, Institutes, III.xxi-xiv. If you have time, take a look at the material on the order of the divine decrees in Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, IV.19.
Here are most of the questions; the rest will follow soon.
1. How does the doctrine of predestination lead to “the three benefits” (p. 922) discussed in section III.xxi.1?
2. What “two kinds of men” (p. 922) does Calvin mention? What are their mistakes? (sections III.xxi.2-4)
3. How does Calvin define foreknowledge and predestination (III.xxi.5)?
4. What two “degrees” of election does Calvin discuss? How do they relate to each other? (III.xxi.5-7)
5. What misunderstanding does Calvin tackle in sections III.xxii.1-6? Why do you think people might be attracted to the view Calvin rejects?
6. What texts does Calvin cite in support of his position (III.xxii.1-6)? What do you think of his argument here?
7. Calvin notes that the apostle Paul does not use a certain argument in Rom 9 (section III.xxii.8; cf. III.xxii.11). What is this argument, and what conclusion does Calvin draw from its omission?
8. What is “the subtlety of Thomas” (III.xxii.9)? How does Calvin respond?
9. How does the logic of Romans 9 support Calvin’s argument in section III.xxiii.1?
10. What objection does Calvin address in sections III.xxiii.2-5? How does he respond?
11. “If God has predestined my sin, he can’t blame me for it.” How would Calvin not respond (III.xxiii.6-8)? What would he say (III.xxiii.9)? Do you think this is adequate?
12. What objection does Calvin address in sections III.xxiii.10-11? How does he respond?
3. What objection does Calvin address in sections III.xxiii.12? How does he respond?
14. What objection does Calvin address in sections III.xxiii.13? How does he respond?
And a cracking one-liner from Augustine:
“God’s grace does not find but makes us fit to be chosen” (Augustine, quoted in Calvin, Institutes, III.xxii.8)
Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Minister's Blog