I wonder if Calvin was looking for a reason why so few people were "saved"? I know when I was first saved I wanted to tell everyone I knew and loved about Jesus and the Gospel. I told them, but they didn't respond as I did. How could someone hear about Jesus and what He did and NOT respond?
I wonder if that is why Calvin taught Absolute Predestination and Election. Just a thought.
I wonder if that is why Calvin taught Absolute Predestination and Election. Just a thought."
Your wording seems to infer that Calvin "made up" Predestination and Election.
On the contrary, these are thoroughly Biblical Ideas. Just ~how~ does one define Predestination and Election is the heart of the matter.
In reality, Calvin's statements you quoted are simply a good summary of 1 Corinthians 1-3:
1 Corinthians 1
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.1 Corinthians 2
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
(This sounds extremely similar to the line you quoted above: "True, were I called to contend with the craftiest despisers of God, I trust, though I am not possessed of the highest ability or eloquence, I should not find it difficult to stop their obstreperous mouths; I could, without much ado, put down the boastings which they mutter in corners, were anything to be gained by refuting their cavils. But although we may maintain the sacred Word of God against gainsayers, it does not follow that we shall forthwith implant the certainty which faith requires in their hearts." See also Matthew 7:13,14.)10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.1 Corinthians 3
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
No, I think Calvin taught Absolute Predestination and Election because that is what he read in the Scriptures.
More than one freeper here has come to the same conclusion as Calvin apart from reading Calvin but from reading and studying the Scriptures alone
It wasn't a mere invention of him to explain why so few were saved. It is simply the teaching of the Scriptures!
Jean
You do have to wonder why so many refuse the "good news"
They joke about hell ..and disregard and are indifferernt to the gospel.