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Double Predestination View by John Calvin, in His Commentaries and Institutio Book
Double Predestination View by John Calvin, in His Commentaries and Institutio Book
E-ISSN: 2622-1039
P-ISSN: 2621-8038
Abstract
This article discusses the teaching view of John Calvin about Double
Predestination. Any Bible verses that are the basis of explaining this teaching. The
explanation of these verses can be the basis for understanding the teaching of John
Calvin about Double Predestination. There are tree topic discussions in this article, First
Double Predestination View by John Calvin, second in His Commentaries, and third
institution book. May this article provide new insight and enlightenment for every reader.
gratuitously loved their fathers. its fruits even He bounds them with so
(Deuteronomy 7:7). By love he means many graces and goodness for them. He
gratuitous favor. Malachi then does not also adopted them to be His children
consider here that the Jews had been through Abraham’s seed.
chosen before other nations on the Though, they still questioned His
ground of their own merit; for if he love and kept living in sins.7 Hence,
granted this, they might have objected there are two sins which Israel kept
and said — “Why dost thou remind us doing at that time. Firstly, they were
that God has favored us more than other forgetting God’s kindness into their life
nations, since he deemed us worthy, and and, secondly, they kept living in their
rewarded our merit?” But the Prophet sins which He rebuked in the book of
takes it as admitted, according to what I Malachi.8
have already said, that the Jews were by Despite of their wickedness,
nature like other nations, so that their Calvin is amazed with God’s election
different condition did not proceed from which has a lot of favor. He chooses
themselves, or from their own Jacob (Israel) over their forgetfulness
worthiness, but from the gratuitous love about His love and their iniquities He
of God.5 elects Jacob beyond Esau status as a
However, they had shaken off the firstborn and also his birthright. Esau
yoke, and having despised God had should get his birthright because he is the
given themselves up again to many oldest brother, but because of God has
corruptions. In short, the Jews paid him predestined Jacob from eternity that he is
no reverence, he complains that he was refused (Gen. 25:23).9
defrauded of his right as a father; and as God chooses them to be His people
they entertained no fear for him.6 not because of their merit or goodness
God could reply the Jews hardly but His great love only. Deuteronomy
because He created them and He is their 9:6 also restates that God elects Israel
father who gave them foods. He is the among other nations not because of their
one who gives sun to shine every day for righteousness but because He knows
them and fruits in the land which bears
7
Ibid.
8
John Calvin, Calvin: Commentaries (Grand
5
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom30.pdf Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library,
6
http://www.magister.msk.ru/library/bible/comm 1958), 199-202.
9
ent/calvin/calvin17.htm Ibid.
since the beginning that Israel is rebel, Paul now begins to ascend higher (verse
stubborn and stiff-necked people. In the 11), even to show the cause of this
context of Malachi, Calvin concluded difference, which he teaches us is
that Jacob’s election and Esau’s rejection nowhere else to be found except in the
are because God’s own will not because election of God.
of human merit. This is a double He had indeed before briefly
predestination teaching.10 Also, noticed, that there was a difference
Voluntarism role is prominent in between the natural children of
Calvin’s interpretation who says that Abraham, that though all were adopted
human cannot satisfy God. Therefore, if by circumcision into a participation of
man is elected or rejected it because the covenant, yet the grace of God was
God’s will only. not effectual in them all; and hence that
In the New Testament, Calvin took they, who enjoy the favor of God, are the
reference from Roman 9:11-2211 as the children of the promise. But how it thus
basis for his double predestination happened, he has been either silent or
doctrine. In those verses, Apostle Paul has obscurely hinted. Now indeed he
explains so clearly that there are two openly ascribes the whole cause to the
type of man. The first type is man who is election of God, and that gratuitous, and
predestined to be loved and the second in no way depending on men; so that in
one is the man who is predestined to be the salvation of the godly nothing higher
destroyed (Rom. 9:22). Calvin said that (nihil superius) must be sought than the
10
http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion goodness of God, and nothing higher in
/cvmal-01.htm
11
For the Scriptures said to Pharaoh, "This is
the perdition of the reprobate than his
why I raised you up, that I may show my power just severity.12
in you, and that my name may be made known in
all the earth." So he has mercy on whom he wills Then the first proposition is, “as
and hardens the hearts of whom he wills. Now
the blessing of the covenant separates the
you will say to me, "If So, what else is he still
blaming? For who is against his will?" Who are Israelitic nation from all other people, so
you, man, that you oppose God? Can the formed
say to the one who formed it, "Why have you the election of God makes a distinction
formed me like this?" Does the potter have no
between men in that nation, while he
right to his clay, to make from lumps? the same
thing to be used for a noble purpose and another predestinates some to salvation, and
thing to be used for ordinary purposes? So, when
it comes to showing His wrath and manifesting
His power, God has great patience with the 12
John Calvin, Commentary on Romans (Grand
objects of His wrath, which have prepared for Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library),
destruction. 302-303.
found in the virtues and vices of men. before him. If works procure favor, a
For they take the short and easy method value ought to have been put upon them
of asserting, that God showed in the before Jacob was born, just as if he had
person of Jacob, that he elects those who been of full age. But in explaining the
are worthy of his grace; and in the difficulty, the Apostle goes on to show,
person of Esau, that he rejects those that the adoption of Jacob proceeded not
whom he foresees to be unworthy. on works but on the calling of God.25
Such is their confident assertion; In works he makes no mention of
but what does Paul say? “For the past or future, but distinctly opposes
children being not yet born, neither them to the calling of God, intimating,
having done any good or evil that the that when place is given to the one the
purpose of God according to election other is overthrown; as if he had said,
might stand, not of works, but of him The only thing to be considered is what
that calleth; it was said unto her, pleased God, not what men furnished of
[Rebecca,] the elder shall serve the themselves. Lastly, it is certain that all
younger. As it is written, Jacob have I the causes which men are wont to devise
loved, but Esau have I hated,” (Rom. as external to the secret counsel of God,
9:11-13).24 If foreknowledge had are excluded by the use of the terms
anything to do with this distinction of the purpose and election.26 In short, some
brothers, the mention of time would have people are determined to have eternal
been out of place. Granting that Jacob life and the others are predestined to
was elected for a worth to be obtained by
25
Ibid.
future virtues, to what end did Paul say 26
The salvation of believers is founded entirely
that he was not yet born? Nor would on the decree of divine election, that the privilege
is procured not by works but free calling. We
there have been any occasion for adding, have also a specimen of the thing itself set before
us. Esau and Jacob are brothers, begotten of the
that as yet he had done no good, because
same parents, within the same womb, not yet
the answer was always ready, that born. In them all things are equal, and yet the
judgment of God with regard to them is different.
nothing is hid from God, and that He adopts the one and rejects the other. The only
right of precedence was that of primogeniture;
therefore the piety of Jacob was present
but that is disregarded, and the younger is
preferred to the elder. Nay, in the case of others,
24
http://sirat- God seems to have disregarded primogeniture for
emustaqeem.com/web/uBooks/Christianity the express purpose of excluding the flesh from
%20Books/Philosophers%20and all ground of boasting. Rejecting Ishmael he
%20Theologians/Calvin%20Institutes%20of gives his favor to Isaac, postponing Manasseh he
%20Christian%20Religion.pdf honors Ephraim.
have eternal death. This decree can’t be Therefore, Calvin concluded that
violated (inviolabilis manet). Therefore, double predestination doctrine is very
Calvin thought that predestination which important teaching to defend God’s
based on foreknowledge is not an act of nature both His love and His justice. 29 It
God which is free based on his free will. means if God chooses to save all people
This kind of predestination limits God’s who are sinners, he is unjustice God
will because it is based on His because no punishment at all for sinners.
foreknowledge to his creations. Calvin However, if he punishes all man then His
thinks that it cannot be happen.27 In love will be questioned. In addition,
conclusion, Calvin defines predestination Calvin also adduced that God’s justice is
as God’s perpetual decree which He has beyond man’s capacity to question it. He
predestined before what He wants to do used verses in Romans 9:21-23 to defend
for everyone not because of His God’s sovereignity in predestination
foreknowledge. both people who are saved and those
There are some people who think who are perished. In summary, double
that if God’s election based on his will predestination doctrine is the best
only not his foreknowledge, then solution to defend God’s love, justice
predestination for those who are not can and sovereignity.
be said that it is unfair. However, Calvin The benefit of predestination is the
argued that God doesn’t owe anything to special election which otherwise would
man. It means all man in this world are remain hidden in God, he at length
deserved to be punished because all of manifests by his calling. “For whom he
them have fallen into sins. If God did foreknow, he also did predestinate to
chooses some people to be saved, God is be conformed to the image of his Son.”
not fair but it because of His love. He Moreover, “whom he did predestinate,
doesn’t need to save all people because them he also called; and whom he called,
all man should be perished. If God them he also justified,” that he may one
predestines some people to be perished, day glorify (Rom. 8:29, 30).30 Though
it is not contradicted with his justice the Lord, by electing his people, adopted
because all mean should be punished.28 them as his sons, we, however, see that
they do not come into possession of this
27
John Calvin, Institute of Christian Religions,
29
575-577. Ibid., 588-590.
28 30
Ibid., 583-586. Ibid.
great good until they are called; but [3] ___________, Institute of Christian
when called, the enjoyment of their Religions. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian
election is in some measure Classics Ethereal Library. 1958
communicated to them. Because Holy [4] ___________, Commentaries on the
Spirit dwells into their hearts and Paul Epistle of Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
uses the terms “Spirit of adoption,” and Baker Book House, reprinted 1984.
the “seal” and “earnest” of the future [5] Chia, P. S., & Juanda, J. (2020).
inheritance; because by his testimony he Penafsiran Amilenialisme & Teologi
confirms and seals the certainty of future Kovenan Dalam Memahami Alkitab.
adoption on their hearts. Therefore, the Journal Kerusso, 5(2), 1-23.
benefit of predestination doctrine is not [6]End,Vanand.EnamBelasDokumenDas
only offers salvation but also God has arCalvinisme. Jakarta: BPK
determined (assignat) salvation so that GunungMulia, 2001.
gives assurance for believers.31 In [7] Horton,S Michael.Institutes Calvin
addition, Calvin also describes that (Jakarta: Momentum, 2009.
people who refuse this doctrine are those [8]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom30.p
who don’t want to be controlled by df
God’s words and they eliminate a basis [9]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom30.p
for Christian assurance (solidae df
fiduciae).32 In conclusion, Calvin thinks [10]Http://www.magister.msk.ru/library/bibl
that predestination doctrine is the best e/comment/calvin/calvin17.htm
doctrine for Christian faith. [11]Http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/tex
t/m.sion/cvmal-01.htm
REFERENCES [12]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom
[1] Calvin, John. Commentaries. Grand 38
Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal [13]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom
Library. 1958. 38
[2] ___________Commentary on [14]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom
Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian 38
Classics Ethereal Library. 1958 [15]Http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/tex
t/m.sion/cvmal-01.htm
31
Ibid., 670-671.
32
Ibid., 673-674.
[16]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom38.p
df
[17]Http://www.biblestudyguide.org/co
mment/calvin/comm_vol45/htm/iv.iii.ii.h
tm
[18]Http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calc
om45.iv.iii.i.html
[19]Http://www.biblestudyguide.org/co
mment/calvin/comm_vol45/htm/viii.iii.h
tm
[20]Http://siratmustaqeem.com/web/uBo
oks/Christianity%20Books/Philosophers
%20and%20Theologians/Calvin
%20Institutes%20of%20Christian
%20Religion.pdf
[21] Kistemaker, Simon J.New
Testament Commentary: Exposition of
the Epistles of [22] Peter and of the
Epistle of Jude. England: Evangelical
Press, 1987.
[23] Poole,Mattew.A Commentary on
the Holy Bible. Mclean, Virginia:
MacDonald Publishing House, 1986.
[24] Michael S. Horton, Institutes Calvin
(Jakarta: Momentum, 2009.