Calvin and the Calvinists

Author
Look Inside Price $17.10

274 in stock

Weight 0.46 lbs
Dimensions 8.8 × 5.75 × 0.45 in
ISBN 9780851517506
Page Count

92

Scripture

New Testament

Banner Pub Date

Sep 1, 1998

Topic

Historical Theology

Original Pub Date

1982

Binding

Cloth-bound

Format

Book

ISBN

9780851517506

EndorsementsRead More ↓

‘Paul Helm’s Calvin and the Calvinists is by far the best and clearest response to Kendall’s essay on ‘Calvin and English Calvinism to 1649′. Helm demonstrates conclusively that Kendall has misinterpreted Calvin’s successors. Where Kendall claims an intellectualist approach for Calvin and a voluntarist view in the Puritans, Helm shows clearly that both Calvin and Puritans taught the interrelationship of intellect and will in the act of faith. Where Kendall claims a universalist view of atonement for Calvin over against his successors, Helm demonstrates a continuity of doctrine. One can only hope that the majority of those who have been subjected to Kendall’s work will look to Helm’s essay for a sound corrective.’ — RICHARD A. MULLER, Calvin Theological Seminary

‘As more and more scholars come to reject the “Calvin against the Calvinists” theses as historically unsound, it is good to see Paul Helm’s early contribution to the debate back in print. Professor Helm goes straight to the heart of many of the key issues and exposes the manifold flaws in the argument of the old school of R.T. Kendall and others. His critique has lost none of its power or relevance since its first publication and its reappearance in print should be welcomed by scholars, students and church people alike.’– CARL R. TRUEMAN, Department of Theology, University of Nottingham

Book Description

Many have taken it for granted that the Calvinistic theology which spread across the western world in the seventeenth century was substantially the theology of John Calvin himself. it was a considerable surprise therefore when Dr. R. T. Kendall attempted to show, in his Calvin and English Calvinism to 1649, published in 1981, that later Calvinism was in fact a departure from the theology of the Reformer.

In this pioneering study Paul Helm shows that the substantial claims that Dr. Kendall makes over the alleged theological departures from Calvin, about the relation between the death and intercession of Christ and the character of saving faith and conversion, cannot be supported from Calvin, but rest on distortions and misunderstandings. With the onset of the Counter-Reformation and the rise of Arminianism questions had to be faced which Calvin himself did not address. However, the Reformed theologians who tackled these issues did so in ways that were entirely consistent with the thought of Calvin himself.

Since Calvin and the Calvinists was first published in 1982 further scholarship has confirmed and developed its main claims. But this careful and clear exposition remains of abiding value, not only for the scholar but also for all Christians who are concerned to evaluate their own theological heritage.

 

Table of Contents Expand ↓

Page
1 INTRODUCTION: A NEW CALVIN? 1
A Tradition of Interpretation
A New Proposal
The Issues
The Course of the Argument
2 JOHN CALVIN’S POSITION 13
The Meaning of the Death of Christ
(a) Actual Remission
(b) Salvation for the elect alone
(c) For whom did Christ intend to die?
Faith and Assurance
(a) Some Qualifications
(b) Knowledge of Election
(c) Conclusion
Summing up the Chapter
3 THE DEATH AND INTERCESSION OF CHRIST 32
Calvin on the Work of Christ
A Novel View?
What does Calvin Actually Say?
The ‘all’ passages
The Implications of Kendall’s Position
(a) What does ‘Christ died for all’ mean?
(b) What is the Significance of Christ’s Intercession?
(c) Death, Intercession and Personal Assurance
Summary
4 CHRISTIAN CONVERSION 51
The Will in Conversion
Preparation for Grace
The Preaching of the Law
Summary
5 SALVATION BY WORKS? 71
The most Serious Charge of all
An Acceptable Alternative?
Looking Back
INDEX 83
Scriptural References
Authors

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