Calvin on unlimited atonement

TomL

Super Member
2 Pe 2:1

Even denying the Lord that bought them. Though Christ may be denied in various ways, yet Peter, as I think, refers here to what is expressed by Jude, that is, when the grace of God is turned into lasciviousness; for Christ redeemed us, that he might have a people separated from all the pollutions of the world, and devoted to holiness and innocency. They, then, who throw off the bridle, and give themselves up to all kinds of licentiousness, are not unjustly said to deny Christ by whom they have been redeemed. Hence, that the doctrine of the gospel may remain whole and complete among us, let this be fixed in our minds, that we have been redeemed by Christ, that he may be the Lord of our life and of our death, and that our main object ought to be, to live to him and to die to him. He then says, that their swift destruction was at hand, lest others should be ensnared by them. (164) Calvin’s commentary



Rom 5:18

Calvin’s commentary

He makes this favor common to all, because it is propounded to all, and not because it is in reality extended to all; for though Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and is offered through God’s benignity indiscriminately to all, yet all do not receive him. (17

Mat 26:39

Calvin’s commentary

It comes now to be inquired, what advantage did Christ gain by praying? The apostle, in writing to the Hebrews, says that he was heard (ἀπὸ τὢς εὐλαβείας ) on account of his fear: for so ought that passage to be explained, and not, as it is usually explained, on account of his reverence, (Heb_5:7.) That would not have been consistent, if Christ had simply feared death; for he was not delivered from it. Hence it follows, that what led him to pray to be delivered from death was the dread of a greater evil. When he saw the wrath of God exhibited to him, as he stood at the tribunal of God charged with the sins of the whole world, he unavoidably shrunk with horror from the deep abyss of death.



1Ti 2:4

4. Who wishes that all men may be saved. Here follows a confirmation of the second argument; and what is more reasonable than that all our prayers should be in conformity with this decree of God?

And may come to the acknowledgment of the truth. Lastly, he demonstrates that God has at heart the salvation of all, because he invites all to the acknowledgment of his truth. This belongs to that kind of argument in which the cause is proved from the effect; for, if “the gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one that believeth,” (Rom. 1:16,) it is certain that all those to whom the gospel is addressed are invited to the hope of eternal life1

1 John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentaries on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 54.

2 Pe 3:9

Other comments from Calvin supporting unlimited atonement

Mat 26:39; Mark 14:24; Col 1:20; 1 Ti 2:4; Rom 5:18

John 1:29

Who taketh away the sin of the world. He uses the word sin in the singular number, for any kind of iniquity; as if he had said, that every kind of unrighteousness which alienates men from God is taken away by Christ. And when he says, the sin Of The World, he extends this favor indiscriminately to the whole human race; that the Jews might not think that he had been sent to them alone. But hence we infer that the whole world is involved in the same condemnation; and that as all men without exception are guilty of unrighteousness before God, they need to be reconciled to him. John the Baptist, therefore, by speaking generally of the sin of the world, intended to impress upon us the conviction of our own misery, and to exhort us to seek the remedy. Now our duty is, to embrace the benefit which is offered to all, that each of us may be convinced that there is nothing to hinder him from obtaining reconciliation in Christ, provided that he comes to him by the guidance of faith.

John 3:16

that whosoever believeth on him may not perish. It is a remarkable commendation of faith, that it frees us from everlasting destruction. For he intended expressly to state that, though we appear to have been born to death, undoubted deliverance is offered to us by the faith of Christ; and, therefore, that we ought not to fear death, which otherwise hangs over us. And he has employed the universal term whosoever, both to invite all indiscriminately to partake of life, and to cut off every excuse from unbelievers. Such is also the import of the term World, which he formerly used; for though nothing will be found inthe world that is worthy of the favor of God, yet he shows himself to be reconciled to the whole world, when he invites all men without exception to the faith of Christ, which is nothing else than an entrance into life.

John 3:17

There is now no reason why any man should be in a state of hesitation, or of distressing anxiety, as to the manner in which he may escape death, when we believe that it was the purpose of God that Christ should deliver us from it. The word world is again repeated, that no man may think himself wholly excluded, if he only keep the road of faith.
 
And may come to the acknowledgment of the truth. Lastly, he demonstrates that God has at heart the salvation of all, because he invites all to the acknowledgment of his truth. This belongs to that kind of argument in which the cause is proved from the effect; for, if “the gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one that believeth,” (Rom. 1:16,) it is certain that all those to whom the gospel is addressed are invited to the hope of eternal life1

This is a false statement. And the Gospel is the power of God to them that are believing, present tense, in that the Power of God causes the believing. The elect believe according to Gods mighty power Eph 1:19

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power,
 
This is a false statement. And the Gospel is the power of God to them that are believing, present tense, in that the Power of God causes the believing. The elect believe according to Gods mighty power Eph 1:19

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power,
You dpn't understand faith so let me help you with the Greek Lexicon below and scripture.


πίστις, (a) faith, belief, trust, generally of the leaning of the entire human personality upon God or the Messiah in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness. The older meaning, intellectual conviction of certain truths, is often present. (In Eph. 1:15 [shorter text] εἰς = among); (b) with the article, the faith (in Lk. 18:8 perhaps the necessary faith or the faith that perseveres), the Christian faith, Ac. 6:7, 13:8, 16:5, 24:24, Gal. 1:23, 3:23, 6:10, Eph. 4:13, Jude 3, Jude 20, &c.; (c) as a psychological faculty, Heb. 11:1; (d) integrity, faithfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, Mt. 23:23, Rom. 1:17 (?), Gal. 5:22, 2 Tim. 4:7; (e) a guarantee, Ac. 17:31.[1] Lexicon to the Greek New Testament.

Faith is a conviction of the mind that Christ is God. Jesus said unless you believe that “ I AM” you will die in your sins.(John 8:24) Read the whole chapter. Paul declared one must confess Jesus is Lord(YHWH) to be saved and those who call upon Him will be delivered(Joel 2:32). Secondly it is a voluntary surrender to Him as Lord or Master of your life. By faith our mind trusts in God, our heart responds to His love and our will submits to the commands of God. Our life yields to obedience in our service to Him. Faith goes beyond reason, it believes without understanding why. ( Heb 11:1) Faith chooses to endure ill treatment (Heb 11:25) Faith accepts all things as a part of God will, Paul’s imprisonment.( Phil1:12) You are not born with faith, it comes from hearing Gods word(Rom 10:17) You cannot be saved without faith.(John 3:36) No peace with God without faith.(Rom 5:1) You are justified by faith(Gal 2:16) Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:17) The Spirit is received by faith (Gal 3:2) And finally Jesus alone is the author and finisher of our faith.(Heb 12:2)
 
You dpn't understand faith so let me help you with the Greek Lexicon below and scripture.


πίστις, (a) faith, belief, trust, generally of the leaning of the entire human personality upon God or the Messiah in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness. The older meaning, intellectual conviction of certain truths, is often present. (In Eph. 1:15 [shorter text] εἰς = among); (b) with the article, the faith (in Lk. 18:8 perhaps the necessary faith or the faith that perseveres), the Christian faith, Ac. 6:7, 13:8, 16:5, 24:24, Gal. 1:23, 3:23, 6:10, Eph. 4:13, Jude 3, Jude 20, &c.; (c) as a psychological faculty, Heb. 11:1; (d) integrity, faithfulness, trustworthiness, loyalty, Mt. 23:23, Rom. 1:17 (?), Gal. 5:22, 2 Tim. 4:7; (e) a guarantee, Ac. 17:31.[1] Lexicon to the Greek New Testament.

Faith is a conviction of the mind that Christ is God. Jesus said unless you believe that “ I AM” you will die in your sins.(John 8:24) Read the whole chapter. Paul declared one must confess Jesus is Lord(YHWH) to be saved and those who call upon Him will be delivered(Joel 2:32). Secondly it is a voluntary surrender to Him as Lord or Master of your life. By faith our mind trusts in God, our heart responds to His love and our will submits to the commands of God. Our life yields to obedience in our service to Him. Faith goes beyond reason, it believes without understanding why. ( Heb 11:1) Faith chooses to endure ill treatment (Heb 11:25) Faith accepts all things as a part of God will, Paul’s imprisonment.( Phil1:12) You are not born with faith, it comes from hearing Gods word(Rom 10:17) You cannot be saved without faith.(John 3:36) No peace with God without faith.(Rom 5:1) You are justified by faith(Gal 2:16) Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:17) The Spirit is received by faith (Gal 3:2) And finally Jesus alone is the author and finisher of our faith.(Heb 12:2)
All this doesnt change the fact that the elect believe according to Gods working Power, and the Gospel as the Power of God causes the believing, the conversion
 
nope they believe on their own volition, God doesn't believe for anyone.
Thats not scriptural sir, they believe according to the power of God working, the same power that raised up Jesus from the Dead. You giving credit to mans will/volition for believing on Jesus, but Gods word, Apostolic authority gives credit to the power of God

Eph 1:19,20

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
 
Thats not scriptural sir, they believe according to the power of God working, the same power that raised up Jesus from the Dead. You giving credit to mans will/volition for believing on Jesus, but Gods word, Apostolic authority gives credit to the power of God

Eph 1:19,20

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Synergistically
 
This is a false statement. And the Gospel is the power of God to them that are believing, present tense, in that the Power of God causes the believing. The elect believe according to Gods mighty power Eph 1:19

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power,

Believe is condition by which we are saved.


  • lest they should believe and be saved

Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12


The ones by the wayside do indeed hear…

  • Those by the wayside are the ones who hear

What kept them from receiving salvation was they didn’t believe.


The power was available during the preaching of the gospel. They did hear the message.


But they didn’t believe.


Only those who believe will be saved.
 
@JLB

Believe is condition by which we are saved.

Believing in Jesus is caused by the power of God Eph 1:19

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Also know as His Grace Eph 3:7

7 Whereof I was made a minister/believer, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
 
Are you saying Gods Power needs mans assistance to do His work, when He exerts His Mighty Power ?

God didn't need man's assistance. God preferred it, synergistically, and created the idea.

You already believe God Himself had libertarian free will and could have given it. Well in this case He did.
 
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God didn't need man's assistance. God preferred it, synergistically, and created the idea.

You already believe God Himself had libertarian free will and could have given it. Well in this case He did.
God preferred mans assistance in exercising His Almighty Power, that's unbelievable, the things that comes from the mind of men. Nothing else needs to be said.
 
God preferred mans assistance in exercising His Almighty Power, that's unbelievable, the things that comes from the mind of men. Nothing else needs to be said.

In your case He could have libertarianly preferred man's assistance but just didn't want to .. since you said God had libertarian free will. ... Are you now saying that God had no other existing ability than to predetermine us ie, God is predetemined?

If what I say comes from the mind of men, then apparently God didn't predetemine it. I agree.
 
In your case He could have libertarianly preferred man's assistance but just didn't want to .. since you said God had libertarian free will. ... Are you now saying that God had no other existing ability than to predetermine us ie, God is predetemined?

If what I say comes from the mind of men, then apparently God didn't predetemine it. I agree.
You have said it all, exalted mans will to the Throne of God !
 
Just out of curiosity, now that it has been “proven” (as much as anything can be proven in a C&A discussion) that John Calvin advocated for Unlimited Atonement and not Limited Atonement, does this mean that Reformed Theology, TULIP and the Doctrines of Grace will no longer be referred to as “Calvinism” and those of us that believe TULIP to be biblical will no longer be accused of following the teaching of Calvin?

[Since you have just proven that we do not follow the teaching of John Calvin.]

:cool:
 
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