JOC Calvin 02

The second lecture at the John Owen Centre, following lunch, was given by the Calvin scholar Tony Lane from The London School of Theology (LST not LTS!). This was on Calvin's Institutes - it being the anniversary of the final edition this year as well as of Calvin's birth.

He began with a brief introduction looking at

1. The history of the various editions (1536-1559) and what is available in English.

2. Purposes.
He also had a section on the purposes of the book over the years. This ended with a commendation of the value of the work for today provided that we remember its historical context. His final section by way of introduction was on the structure of the book. Calvin has his own structure, of course. Others suggest the Apostles Creed as an underlying structure but that is certainly not so at every point.

3. The nature of the book
Is it a Systematic Theology? Only to some extent. It is not like a modern one. His definition of faith is important. He stresses the personal element in it. As for the nature of the gospel there was a strong commitment to it. He seeks to move people as well as to inform them.

Dr Lane's main section was on
4. Its teaching
He highlighted by way of example

1. Predestination
Here, of course, he was not original and his teaching was not particularly distinctive.

2. The inner witness of the Spirit
This is much more distinctive. On how we know the Bible is true, Calvin was willing to accept that we take the word of the church but he saw the danger of depending on the judgement of men. Rational arguments again have their place. However, it is the inward work of the Spirit that makes the real difference and assures us Scripture is true.

3. Penal substitution

On this currently topical issue Calvin shows great balance. He is carefully nuanced. He is a great example. He makes at least three points

The whole of the incarnation is included in substitution
He clearly teaches that Christ bore our sins on the cross

He speaks of the transfer of guilt. He never says God punished Christ. Christ bore the wrath of God on our behalf. He is adamant that the Father was never angry with his Son.

4. Union with Christ

This is one of Calvin's great themes. He speaks of both heat and light coming from the sun as justification and sanctification do too.

5. Faith and assurance
Though there are Calvinists who practically do not believe in assurance, Calvin saw it as part of saving faith, though he also speaks of the doubts that true Christians almost inevitably have.
6. Christian life

There is plenty on this in The Institutes and the five main chapters were published in separate form. One issue he takes up is what we might call a simple lifestyle. We are to be detached from the things of the world as this is not our home. They are to be received as good gifts from God but despise them as far as they are not our final goal. We use things as far as we need them.
7. Justification by faith
(The hundred or so of us here were given the choice of this or the Lord's Supper and marginally we went for this).
Calvin taught double justification. He also has an oddity when he says that we are accepted by God on the basis of our works when he is wrestling with Cornelius. God accepts us by faith but also he accepts us by reason of works he says - but not when looking at James interestingly. Calvin was always keen to expound Scripture accurately.
Again we had a decent discussion to follow on the title of the work, on the atonement, etc.