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I consider myself more so Reformed as opposed to a Calvinist. I, for example, am joining a Mennonite Brethren, believer’s baptism church.
In modern, but not Reformation era terms, Calvin could be considered a compatibilist and explains that those who committed wrong actions performed them willfully and deliberately. Calvin (1543)(1998: 37).
God was working his good purposes through the evil conduct of people, but Calvin pointed out that God’s motives in willing these deeds were pure while those who committed wrong had wicked motives. Calvin (1543)(1998: 37).
Calvin suggests outward human preaching ‘strikes only the ears’ while the inward instruction of the Holy Spirit is how a person is enlightened in Christ. Calvin (1543)(1996: 233).
Human preaching is valuable in that it works at times in conjunction with the Holy Spirit transforming individuals. Calvin (1543)(1996: 233).
Humanity has nothing on its own, but depends totally on God. God bestows on humanity what he wills. Calvin (1539)(1998: Book II, Chapter 1: 2).
Calvin did not believe that God would eliminate human impulse, but rather God would have the impulse of a person he desired subject to the spirit of God. Calvin (1543)(1996: 225).
Preaching and teaching the word of God impacts a person to believe in Christ. Calvin (1543)(1996: 34).
God’s motives remain pure in the simultaneous willing of human actions that are sinful and evil. Calvin (1543)(1996: 37-40).
Human beings and their actions were the secondary causes of primary causes willed by God. Calvin (1543)(1996: 38).
God’s motives in willing an action would work toward the greater good even while human beings freely sinned. Calvin (1543)(1996: 37-40).
‘For we do not say that the wicked sin of necessity in such a way as to imply that they sin without wilful and deliberate evil intent. The necessity comes from the fact that God accomplishes his work, which is sure and steadfast, through them.’ Calvin (1543)(1996: 37).
'At the same time, however, the will and purpose to do evil which dwells within them makes them liable to censure. But, it is said, they are driven and forced to this by God.’ Calvin (1543)(1996: 37).
‘Indeed, but in such a way that in a single deed the action of God is one thing and their own action is another. For they gratify their evil and wicked desires, but God turns this wickedness so as to bring his judgements (judgments) to execution.’ Calvin (1543)(1996: 37).
The incompatibilist thinks if someone freely refrains from an action, they must not have been causally determined or significantly influenced to do so. Pruss (2003: 216).
The compatibilist thinks if someone refrains from an action, they have the power to do this and were not constrained from doing the action by an outside force. Pruss (2003: 216).
Incompatibilism denies that any outside influence can significantly will any action, or impose itself on a significantly free being for a truly free action to occur. Pruss (2003: 216).
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
PRUSS, ALEXANDER R. (2003) ‘A New Free-Will Defence’, in Religious Studies, Volume 39, pp. 211-223. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
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