The Historic and Philosophic Contributions of John Calvin

The Historic and Philosophic Contributions of John Calvin

             Historically, many great people have come and gone who have made lasting contributions to the whole of Christianity. Jesus Christ being the first and foremost, laid down not just philosophic knowledge, but historically changed the way in which people view reality and life. It has been ever since, that many a great theologians have clarified and systematically applied the teachings of Christ Jesus to the faithful. However, after the third century onward the Catholic Church had taken over the thoughts of believers and erred the worldview of Christians through indorsing scientific and theological men who held to such views as partial depravity, the sun revolving around the earth, and works based salvation. It was many decades after the rise of heresy in the Catholic Church, which ultimately led to traditionalism, that one of the greatest theologians of all time became weary with the teaching of the Catholic Church. His name was John Calvin.

John Calvin “was the son of a lawyer. He was born in Noyon, Picardy and was therefore a Frenchman. Calvin developed a love for scholarship and literature” (History). As Calvin grew older he advanced in scholarship, and “in 1523 he went to the University of Paris where he studied theology. To maintain himself while a student, Calvin secured a small chaplaincy attached to Noyon Cathedral” (History). However, this was not what his father wanted Calvin to do. “Calvin was pressurized by his father to study Law but in 1531 his father died giving Calvin the freedom to resume his religious studies. Calvin went to the College de France in Paris to study Greek” (History). It was here while studying, that some point between 1528 and 1533 he experienced a “sudden conversion” and grasped Protestantism. “God subdued my soul to docility by a sudden conversion” was how Calvin described this experience” (History). Now it was, at this time in Calvin’s life, that He “was highly critical of the abuses in the French Catholic church but he never doubted that he was God’s chosen instrument in the spiritual regeneration of the world” (History). It could be said that Calvin at this time, started realizing the depth of Catholicism and the lack thereof in their teaching.

There can be no appreciation for the Reformation until one sees the great spiritual need of the western world in the 16th century. The Catholic Church in the mid-sixteenth century had conformed to many heretical practices, which grasped the thoughts of Calvin. Among these practices that were in the spotlight to Calvin were “the freewill teaching of Pelagius (5th century). Salvation was not caused by God’s grace through a supernatural new birth, but by assent to Roman Catholic dogma and practice. Faith was not trust in Christ for salvation, but submission to the church. Salvation was not by grace through faith in Christ alone, but by faith in the church and good works prescribed by the church. Practically speaking, “good works” consisted of mere external obedience to the church, and did not necessarily flow from a life of faith in Christ. The Roman Catholic Church stressed external actions, legal observance and penitential works. Man actually gained heaven by his works” (Arnold). In addition to a “works” theology flowed the idea of penance. Men had to do certain external acts to prove the reality of their faith. “At first penance consisted of certain public expressions of repentance for people involved in scandal, but it was soon extended to every sin, even to the most secret. Penance was considered as sort of a punishment to which it was necessary to submit in order to obtain the forgiveness of God through the priest’s absolution. Instead of looking to Christ alone for forgiveness, it was sought in the church principally through penitential works” (Arnold). Moreover, from this act of penance flowed “indulgences [which] were a system of exchange whereby the priests employed their special rapport with God to perform certain religious acts for laymen. For a price, Clergy would pray, fast and read scripture for a person. In other words, priestly services were bought. This was later developed into buying up time one might have to spend in purgatory” (Arnold). These practices were in place pre-sixteenth century and some even since 300A.D. The Roman Catholic Church “controlled religion, philosophy, morals, politics, art and education. The Roman Catholic Church was theologically sick and its theology led to atrocious corruptions. It was spiritually exhausted, enfeebled and almost lifeless. Rome had seriously departed from the teaching of the Bible and was engrossed in real heresy” (Arnold). Calvin however, stood against such heresy.

As a reformer of the Catholic Church, John Calvin returned “to the original Christianity of the Bible and the early church” (Schaeffer 81). This return to the original teachings of the church, founded by Christ had been marred by distortions of human thought and tradition by the Catholic Church, and Calvin wrote against it in “1536 the first edition of “Institutes of the Christian Religion” was published in Basle” (History). It was in this publication that Calvin took a stand against the teaching of the Catholic Church and philosophically changed the way in which others for many years would view the Word of God. For instance, Calvin’s first stance was the thought of sola scriptura, scripture alone. The use of Scripture alone for the assessing of ideas and practices of the Church was damaging to the Catholic Church for they had taught, “the doctrine of sinless perfectionism strengthened the position of the Roman hierarchy. The clergy were thought to be more holy than the average people. Being more holy, they were special channels of the grace of God. Thus, the clergy had the authority from God to dispense God’s grace” (Arnold). They taught the common people that the church was the only authority to read the Word of God, and that the common people should not read the Word of God for they would not understand it. It was said that only the clergy could interpret and read the Scriptures. “To Calvin Scripture not only provided information which could not be found elsewhere, but also was like spectacles which put things into focus” (Brown 152). One thing it helped place in focus was the Catholic system of confession. This system taught, “since the clergy through the church were dispensers of God’s grace, they also had the authority to forgive sins” (Arnold). So it was, that this thought of Calvin’s, of testing the teachings of the Catholic Church by the common people; against the teachings of the Word of God, was very influential among the commoners who started seeing the errors of the Catholic Church. Moreover, this was just the start of Calvin’s thoughts as to how the Believer should think and believe based on Scriptural proofs.

On top of the Word being the only authority over the common people, Calvin changed the thinking or worldview of the common people in writing about sinfulness. Not only did the Catholic Church believe in the exaltation of the clergy, but also the infallibility of the Pope. Now it was that “this was not an officially declared dogma of the Roman Church (it became official dogma in 1870), it was an assumed fact. As early as 590, Gregory the Great called himself “the servant of servants,” believing that he was supreme among all bishops. Another pope, Hildebrand or Gregory VII (11th century), held that, as vicar of Christ and representative of Peter, he could give or take empires. Everyone from the lowest peasant to the highest ruler was to recognize him as Christ’s representative on earth and supreme ruler over all religious and political matters. Another pope (14th century) Boniface VII, said, “We declare, state, define and pronounce that for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pope is altogether necessary for salvation” (Caper, The Church in History). (Arnold). This way of thinking was erred when Calvin sought out of the Scriptures the doctrine of sin. Though sin was known in this time it was, like all other doctrines, erred and distorted by the Catholic Church. In Calvin’s writing’s, he labeled this doctrine, total depravity, which spoke of the sinfulness of all mankind. In essence Calvin stated, “human beings are so far gone in sin that their spiritual sense has become blunted” (Brown 152). Stated in yet another way, “ the sinner, by the fall of Adam, became so completely corrupted in his heart, that he cannot make one move toward God. He cannot give any assistance to God in his salvation. He is so corrupt, and so completely at enmity with God, that God must do all the work of salvation or the sinner will not be saved” (Parker 6). This mindset was so radically different then that of the Catholic Church, and it made sense to many of the people that the Catholic Church had to start reforming their teachings. However, the greatest contribution to this way of thought was the change in worldview through the spectacles of mankind. Caught up in the rosy heresy of the Catholic Church, people now started to see the errors of the so-called unified church by their own searching of the Scriptures. In addition to the changes that Calvin made, none would be so devastating to the Catholic Church, and have lasting results like that of the doctrine of election or predestination.

It was, 1190A.D. onward that the Catholic Church was made very wealthy from the selling of indulgences. “Indulgences were a system of exchange whereby the priests employed their special rapport with God to perform certain religious acts for laymen. For a price, Clergy would pray, fast and read scripture for a person. In other words, priestly services were bought. This was later developed into buying up time one might have to spend in purgatory” (Arnold). In as much as the Catholic Church sought to gain control and prestige, John Calvin in his writing of the Institutes combated this heresy of the Catholics by explaining salvation through Biblical means. No longer would the faithful find it necessary to pay for their salvation. Calvin established very clear remarks concerning the elect in saying, “there is a difference between the election of the person of Abraham, the election throughout Abraham’s posterity of the truly faithful descendants of Jacob, and finally the election by Christ of those single persons to whom God not only offers salvation but also assigns such a certitude of it that its effect cannot be in suspense or doubt” (Wendel 173). In making this distinction of God for the salvation of His chosen people the Catholic Church’s teaching concerning salvation was completely lost and many split form the Catholic to other Biblical denominations. However, this thought of Calvin’s did not originate with him, but in fact was alive and well before Calvin. It was Calvin however, that taught in such a way that caused others in great numbers to hear and see the Biblical difference from that of the Catholic Church. Moreover, it is Calvin that helped change the worldview of Believers in Christ Jesus to this day.

In it all, John Calvin has made a monumental impact upon Christianity. For even today his teachings and thoughts echo across the vast world which either accept or reject his views. Either way, his contribution to the history of Christianity will never be forgotten because of those doctrines and freedoms he spoke up for in helping liberate people from Catholic bondage. He has not only made his mark on history, but also philosophy. Philosophically, John Calvin brought new molds to the minds of the commoners of his day. The thought of the Catholic Church ruling over the people instead of God was changed; the thought of sinless perfection of the clergy was changed, and the greatest of all his contributions was to that of salvation. No longer did the people view the Catholic Church as the ultimate force in providing salvation. All of these thoughts and teachings were not original to Calvin, however it was Calvin who sought to free them. Any of these thoughts would change the worldview of any individual, and it just so happens that many of them still today do just that. Though this look at Calvin’s contributions to history and philosophy are not all conclusive, it does show in just how little was covered, how much of an effect John Calvin was and is even today of the world of Christian thought and life.

Works Cited

- Arnold, Jack L.,  http://www.thirdmill.org/newfiles/jac_arnold/CH.Arnold.RMT.1.html .

- Brown, Colin, Christianity and Western Thought. Illinois: InterVarsity 1990.

- (History), http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/John_Calvin.htm .

- Holy Bible, Ryrie Study Bible NASB. Chicago: Moody Publishers 1995.

- McKim, Donald K., Readings in Calvin’s Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Book 1984.

- Parker, Stephen, Calvin’s Specs, Examined and Re-examined. N.C.: Elon College.

- Schaeffer, Francis A., The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. Illinois: Crossway Books 2005.

 

The Fossil Record

“The fossil record is unequivocal on the progression of life from simple beginnings to complex organisms. Animals without backbones predate vertebrates. Amphibians appear after fish, mammals appear after reptiles, and no complex life occurs in rocks nearly as old as those containing the oldest fossil bacteria. There is a vast body of fossil confirmation of evolution and of natural selection preserved in the world’s great collections…” (Carnegie). Fossils and the forms of life in which they depict, have since the beginning of the evolutionary period of time, baffled scientist. Though many of the fossil records show a unified understanding of evolution to the evolutionists, there are many in which they cannot explain and or date. This lack of evidence has brought many a scientist to the conclusion that the fossil record does not coincide with the evolutionary time scale. Be that as it may, the creationist has not a contradictory explanation of the fossil record as do the evolutionist. The creation account is understood as six literal days from a Creator, God. The fossils and forms in which they depict are all known to be from His creation of all things, and date only so far as the beginning of about 7000 years ago! The drastic difference between the creationist’s point of view and that of the evolutionists on the date and issue of the fossil record continues today to be one of the mainstream issues between the two points of view. The fossil record however, needs to be seen in and of itself. It should, through proof and evidence of its own, show the real truth of the creation of the world. The fossil record will be seen in its parallel to the creationist’s point of view, through a study of its origin and record of facts.

            The fossil record is a record of dated fossils that show the relative age and or date of the fossils existence. However, to first understand the issue between the fossil record and evolution or creation, one must first understand how fossils form, for it is the root of the fossil issue. A fossil is understood as meaning “dug up” and comes from the Latin. It is further defined “any natural record of life from the past” (DeYoung 100). Now for this process to occur there are three steps that must take place in which DeYoung describes as…

“First, a plant or animal must die and be buried very quickly. Otherwise decay or scavengers will quickly consume the organism. Second, burial must continue long enough for the fossilization process to convert the organism to stone. Beneath layers of mud and gravel, circulating groundwater with dissolved minerals is needed. Third, erosion is necessary at a later time so that the fossil can be exposed and eventually discovered” (DeYoung 101).

Many forms of fossilization can occur, however all have the same process of fossilization. Differences in fossilization occur when time, substance, and surrounding weather are affected. Moreover, it is important to keep in mind the fact that fossilization occurs over an extended period of time. Understanding the fossilization process and the time involved, may seem as though evolution is supported in its dating the earth as billions of years old. In spite of that, just the opposite is true. DeYoung states that “fossilization is a rare occurrence in nature” and further says, “a rule called Durham’s Law further estimates that only 10 percent or less of actual plant or animal species are ever preserved in this way” (DeYoung 100). Concerning the evolutionary processes of a billion year old earth and its many changing species over the years, you would think that the fossil record on earth would be more numerous then it is. “Paleontologist estimate that they have found fossils of fewer then one out of every thousand animal and plant species” (DeYoung 100). This sounds as though the fossil record is minimal and even scarce, which would deny the fact of a billion year old earth with its millions of year old species. Looking at the three fossilization steps, “notice that all three of these steps fit the description of the global Genesis flood. This event may be responsible for most of the fossils known today” (DeYoung 101).

            Physical geology Professor Stephen A. Nelson of Tulane University says, “Theoretically we should be able to determine the age of the Earth by finding and dating the oldest rock that occurs. So far, the oldest rock found and dated has an age of 3.96 billion years.” He sums up his lecture to his students in saying, “Thus the solar system and the Earth must be at least 4.6 billion years old” (Tulane). This assumption was based on the evidence of the strata that layers our earth’s surface. This dating of the earth is in agreement with most geologists of an evolutionary mindset and even some creationist. However, one geologist by the name of Steve Austin, while studying the majestic Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake, which it overlooks, discovered something profound. After an eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, the geologic landscape of the earth surrounding the volcano some 100 miles in circumference was drastically changed. Steve Austin said in his studies of this event, that the strata layers in which he previously thought, “to be formed over thousands or millions of years” had occurred in the time frame of 78 hours (ICR). The blanket of layers of ash and deposits that came from the eruption of Mount St. Helens reformed the landscape and gave new and exciting details to the fossil record. Fossils were once dated in the strata in which they were found. A fossil in a stratum closer to earth’s surface was not as old as one from miles down in the earth. Having said that, the layers of ash and deposits from the volcano’s eruption sent almost 30 feet debris on the newly formed terrain. What was once thought to be formed over thousands or millions of years, the strata, was now seen to occur in days! This profound discovery opened the doors for a better and more accurate view of other fossils found in varying strata around the world. One of those famous regions, the Grand Canyon, once thought to be billions of years of decay from the Colorado River that passes through, is now seen in a new light. If the small cataclysmic event of the volcano formed such enormous terrain differences, what would the Genesis flood have created? Genesis says “Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish” (Gen. 6:17). This would have been a cataclysmic event which huge implications. “Was the great flood universal? There is no question but that the traditions used by the writer of Genesis contains such a view. The world known to the Hebrews was covered by water” (TBC 20). The floating debris from the flood had to have settled by the hundreds of feet; making the fossil record of all that perished look like it was in a different period of time, because of the layers of sediment which settled. Could this be a logical explanation of the fossil record and the creation of the Grand Canyon, of course it is. The monumental judgment of God upon wicked mankind reshaped the earth from its original creation. This reshaping caused many items to be fossilized and buried under hundreds if not thousands of feet of debris, which today makes up the difference in stratus layers of the earth. Geologist Steve Austin as stated above, recorded this exact observation when he researched the impact of the volcanic eruption on the north side of the valley in Spirit Lake. When Mount St. Helens blew it forced steam and stunning amounts of pressure to topple and level the forest that surrounded Spirit Lake. This occurrence concluded with millions of tree stomps and trees stripped of any leaves and thrown into the Spirit Lake. Moreover, while sitting in the lake these stripped trees started floating, some sank, and some completely embedded in the lake mire. What geologist Austin observed was the falsification of strata formed in the bottom of the lake making one cataclysmic event look like millions of years of sedimentary rest. Trees from the same forest were in different strata layers. This event itself shows the fossil record to be false in the dating of fossils by their surrounding stratum.

            The greatest thought among scholars today, as per the evolutionary debate, believes in uniformitarianism. This is where “the fossils and the rocks and the other features of the earths crust formed slowly over vast eons of time by the same processes now at work in the earth” (Morris 2132). This system of belief backs the billion year old earth theory that evolutionist believe to be necessary for fossils to take form. This method of teaching also says that the present is the key to understanding the past, and “it assumes that present natural laws and processes suffice to explain the origin and development of all things” (Morris 2144). However, in recent studies these processes have not held their own, and continue to be debated as false evidence among geologist the world over. It was once thought that fossils only formed over billions of years in which sedimentary deposits compressed to form fossils. This contributor thought to the uniformitarianism teaching has been proven false with recent events such as that from Mount St. Helens. In fact, just the opposite it true in that a “rapid and compact burial of the organisms” needed to take place in order for fossilization to occur (Morris 2222). This teaches not uniformitarianism but catastrophism which contradicts. Catastrophism says that fossils “were formed rapidly in a relatively short period of time” (Morris 2132). On the side of catastrophism, Morris states, “there are a number of different ways by which fossils can be produced and preserved.  In every case, they must be formed rapidly, or else the forces of erosion, bacterial decay, weathering, or other disintegrative processes will destroy them before the fossilization s complete” (Morris 2222). Today’s geological, and oceanic scientists have made remarkable finds in the areas of fossils. Moreover, these fossils do not point to a uniformitarian study, but one of catastrophism! “Enormous numbers of herring Xyne grex were found crowded on a bedding plane in ‘Monterey Shale.’ Their was estimated of more then a billion fish, averaging 6-8 inches in length, died on 4 square miles of bat bottom. Great beds of dinosaur bones, found on practically every continent. There are also beds of fossil mammal remains, great beds of amphibians, tremendous beds of plant fossils, and practically all were mixed with organisms still living today and were in the form of fossil graveyards containing large numbers of fossils” (Morris 2222). What all of this tells us is that catastrophism is not only plausible but true. This is the understanding that things underwent a drastic change from its original norm. This can be seen all throughout the Bible. The account of the Genesis flood was a drastic and catastrophic event that changed the earth and all of mankind. Also seen throughout the Bible is God’s judgment upon the wicked through supernatural means. Sodom and Gomorrah was a terrible judgment of catastrophic events, “Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground” (Gen. 19:24-25). A description of this momentous event is described as, “With burning sulfur the Lord overthrew the wicked cities and the entire plain in a great destruction. Some have suggested that deposits of sulfur erupted from the earth and then showered down out of the heavens in flames of fire” (BKC Gen. 19:24-25). Although nothing lived but Lot and his family, the city was completely leveled. This event no doubt produced fossils from the extreme heat and cover of the monstrous cloud that arose only to fall back down on the devastated area, “The dense smoke Abraham saw was caused by the burning sulfur” (BKC Gen. 19:24). In all the events found both scientifically and Biblically, a conclusion of catastrophic events seems to be the base by which all fossils were formed. Thus, this not only disproves the uniformitarianism view of evolution, but also proves that the earth is not as old as it is said to be.

            In culmination of the facts, no such magnitude of evidence can be used against a view that is, as the world would like to teach, fact. Evolution stands feebly upon the weary legs of argumentative and decrepit scientists who oppose seek its truth earnestly because of their dislike of evangelical position of a Creator and God. As seen, in just that of the fossil record, this paper not explained the inadequate so-called facts in which evolutionists base their thoughts. The study of fossilization itself from the worlds leading geologists prove that they are created not over billions of years but over an extended period of time which had to be preceded by a drastic event. This would explain fossilizations of plant matter today in areas that have been devastated by natural disasters. The order of events of the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens has also been a key-contributing factor to the inadequate teachings of evolution. This catastrophic event proved that strata deposits occur not over billions or millions of years but due to drastic changes from natural disasters. These strata deposits have occurred due to hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and area flooding disproving the uniformitarian way of thought. However, the grandest proof held in this knowledge of the recorded events of this paper is the proof of a Creator. Not just is God the creator of the universe and all that is within it, He is the sustainer that continues to hold together all things by His power and strength.

Works Cited

 

- (Carnegie) http://carnegiemuseums.org/cmag/bk_issue/2000/marapr/feat7.html

- (Tulane) http://www.tulane.edu/~sanelson/geol111/geotime.htm

- DeYoung, Donald B., Dinosaurs and Creation. Grand Rapids: Baker Books 2000.

- (TBC) Franklin H. Paschall and Herschel H. Hobbs, The Teacher’s Bible Commentary: A Concise, Thorough Interpretation of the Entire Bible Designed Especially for Sunday School Teachers (Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 1972). 20.

- (ICR) Institute for Creation Research. Mount St. Helens: Explosive Evidence for Catastrophe. Dallas.

- (BKC) John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-.

 - Morris, Henry M., Scientific Creationism. Green Forest: Master Books 2009. (Kindle Edition)

 - New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995). Ge 6:17.