Derek Thomas's final paper was different to the others in that it was dealing not with Calvin's preaching but with his theology, Calvin as theologian. Again we sometimes had that rather staccato style that Dr Thomas uses but he seemed a little more at home with this topic.
Calvin was referred to as 'The theologian' by Melanchthon (Gregory Nazianzen's title) and much later 'The theologian of the Holy Spirit' by B B Warfield. His chief work, of course, is the Institutes.
After giving us a brief history of the publication of the work by this man who lacked a seminary education and alluding to some of its strengths Dr Thomas went on to point out that it is
1. A Catholic work - an apologia for the Catholic church of his day
2. An occasional work shaped by the writings of various contemporary opponents.
3. An unabashedly systematic theological work
4. Despite efforts to show otherwise there is probably no one key theme in the work but there are several key concepts. The book is very much shaped by Romans which Calvin produced a commentary on quite early on.
1 Knowledge and the knowledge of the God is more than propositions. It must lead to piety. The Institutes is a sum of piety. 2 The knowledge of God is twofold - Creator and Redeemer.
Calvin was referred to as 'The theologian' by Melanchthon (Gregory Nazianzen's title) and much later 'The theologian of the Holy Spirit' by B B Warfield. His chief work, of course, is the Institutes.
After giving us a brief history of the publication of the work by this man who lacked a seminary education and alluding to some of its strengths Dr Thomas went on to point out that it is
1. A Catholic work - an apologia for the Catholic church of his day
2. An occasional work shaped by the writings of various contemporary opponents.
3. An unabashedly systematic theological work
4. Despite efforts to show otherwise there is probably no one key theme in the work but there are several key concepts. The book is very much shaped by Romans which Calvin produced a commentary on quite early on.
1 Knowledge and the knowledge of the God is more than propositions. It must lead to piety. The Institutes is a sum of piety. 2 The knowledge of God is twofold - Creator and Redeemer.
3 There is a fundamental difference between God as he is in himself and as he revealed himself to men. He famously speaks of God's accommodation - his lisping, prattling to us as to babies.
4 God's work is revealed to us not just in creation but also in Christ's redemption. Calvin made a particular contribution in speaking, as he does, of Christ's threefold office. He also spoke to the subject of the Trinity and what the ancient creeds really meant. There is a suspicion of ontological subordinationism in the Fathers and Calvin undergirds and strengthens our understanding by making clear the full and absolute Godhead of Christ.
5 This knowledge of God can only be received through the work of the Holy Spirit. Without the inward witness of the Spirit the work of Christ can do us no good.
6 This knowledge of God is mediated through the Scriptures. Scripture is self-authenticating. It is the God breathed Word. Perhaps more clearly than any before him he established a right hermeneutic.
7 This knowledge of God involves union with Christ. This is fundamentally important and denies the idea of legal fiction and of necessary antinomianism.
8 Election. Calvin famously moved what he had to say on election from Book 1 to Book 3 (this matches the way Romans 9 is where it is). It is when we understand what God has done that we see election (pastorally). Calvin was a pastor first.
9 The sacraments. Again a unique understanding.
6 This knowledge of God is mediated through the Scriptures. Scripture is self-authenticating. It is the God breathed Word. Perhaps more clearly than any before him he established a right hermeneutic.
7 This knowledge of God involves union with Christ. This is fundamentally important and denies the idea of legal fiction and of necessary antinomianism.
8 Election. Calvin famously moved what he had to say on election from Book 1 to Book 3 (this matches the way Romans 9 is where it is). It is when we understand what God has done that we see election (pastorally). Calvin was a pastor first.
9 The sacraments. Again a unique understanding.
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