Zian BJ T.

Baid
Grade 12- Humility

Reading Log- 4
COMPARISON, EVALUATION AND THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATION

Calvin ordo salutis and Wesley via salutis have some similarities.
Sin and Predestination. Calvin’s and Wesley at some point of original sin interlink
with each other. Both of them affirm that man is sinful (depraved) and bending on doing
evil. Further, Calvin and Wesley confirm each other at some point in predestination. It
means in the surface level of predestination both of them agreed with each other.
Extent of Salvation and Grace. Calvin and Wesley believe that the extent of
salvation is for all humanity and that the salvation is for all who believe. However, both
of them disaffirm the universality of atonement. At some point both agree that grace is
irresistible.
Justification. Finally, Calvin and Wesley posit that justification is by faith.

These are the dissimilarities between the two paradigms and how John Wesley would
respond to soteriology of Mr. Calvin.
Depravity. Calvin’s total depravity implied that all humanity is sinful since they
are born sinful. In all his ways he is physically, morally, and spiritually corrupted. Wesley
concurs with Calvin in this regard. However, further, Wesley deviated or emphatically
disagreed that a man’s hope has been crushed by sin. In other words, although
humanity is sinful still they have the will to resist sin under God’s free grace.
Election. Wesley is rejecting the notion that only those who God selected could
obtain election. However, Calvin rejected this notion. For him through God’s
sovereignty, decreed before the person being born be predestinated to salvation or
damnation.
Atonement. To Calvin, the efficacies of Christ atonement’s are limited only to
elect. Although in Wesley’s side the benefit of atonement goes to the elect but when
the believers accept Christ, he will be delivered from the power of sin.
Grace. Calvin’s notion of grace is that God extends it to human beings as a gift.
However, Wesley denied that the saving efficacy of God’s grace could not be resisted.
Assurance. Calvin purports that those who are part of the elect cannot lose their
salvation. God has predestined them to be saved, and sealed them to persevere. Wesley
was adamantly differed with Calvin on adoption. His notion suggests that it is possible to
lose one’s salvation.
 Similarly, Calvin and Wesley both agreed at some points but differed in thought.
They believe in justification by faith and affirm that their theology comes from the word
of God. However, they differed in their interpretations and applications.