[Gamecock]

Ohhhh, John Calvin!

The doctrines of original sin, election, effectual calling, final perseverance, and all those great truths which we called Calvinsim - though Calvin was not the author of them, but simply an able writer and preacher upon the subject - are, I believe, the essential doctrines of the gospel that is in Jesus Christ. Now, I do not ask you whether you believe all this - it is possible you may not; but I believe you will before you enter heaven.

C. H. Spurgeon

[RnMomof7]

Geerhardus Vos, the Princeton New Testament scholar, asked the question in 1891, What is it about Reformed theology that enables that tradition to grasp the fullness of Scripture unlike any other branch of Christendom? He answers, "Because Reformed theology took hold of the Scriptures in their deepest root idea. . . . This root idea which served as the key to unlock the rich treasuries of the Scriptures was the preeminence of God's glory in the consideration of all that has been created" (see note 6). It's this relentless orientation on the glory of God that gives coherence to John Calvin's life and to the Reformed tradition that followed. Vos said that the "all-embracing slogan of the Reformed faith is this: the work of grace in the sinner as a mirror for the glory of God" (see note 7). Mirroring the glory of God is the meaning of John Calvin's life and ministry.