Responsible man in reformed theology: Calvin versus the Westminister Confession
Date
1970
Authors
Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, author
Cambridge University Press, publisher
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Abstract
In the concept of the essential nature of responsible persons, Calvin and the Calvinists that followed him differed significantly. The Calvinists formulated what they called a double covenant between God and humans, a covenant of works and a covenant of grace. Humans were placed in creation and expected to keep God's law, and to be judged on their merits. Humans sinned, broken God's law and failed to keep this covenant. On this basis they are judged, and lost. In the covenant of grace, God enters and redeems human life by grace, and this is the Biblical story in Israel, fulfilled in Christ. The danger that has beset Reformed thought is that in its use of covenant, nature, law, and grace, it makes of the Christian faith something which comes in where human powers fail. Humans need God only for the mending of life's wrongness, to rescue persons from their irresponsibility. The authentic Reformed witness makes place for this, but goes beyond. Religion belongs not just to the weakness of life, but also to its strength. A person's fundamental need for communion with a gracious God springs not merely from redemption, but more basically from one's dignity as a creature formed for grace. Grace belongs before sin, not less than after. In grace God made and makes responsible persons.
Description
Includes bibliographical references.
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Subject
law
Calvin, John
reformed theology
Westminster confession
responsibility
grace
sin
covenant of works
covenant of grace
Calvinists