A Boomer in the Pew

Seeking to understand the Doctrine of Total Depravity

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. 

Calvin's Institutes of Religion: 2.1.8

It would seem that I have fallen hopelessly behind the Princeton Seminary's pace, in the reading of Calvin's "Institutes".

Reading the "Institutes" is one thing.  Understanding them, and allowing God's word to permeate your being, and seeing your worldview changing before your eyes, in another thing altogether.

Also, I just received a written copy of Calvin's Institutes today, from the UPS dude, as I have also found it frustrating to attempt to read this text, with the available online versions. 

I have chosen to use the Ford Lewis Battles translation, as well as Battle's "Analysis of the Institutes of the Christian Religion of John Calvin".

So...when you think total depravity, is there room in your understanding that this is a photograph of your deranged nature? 

Our post-modern Christian culture will likely object. 

I must confess, it has taken me more than a week to begin to attempt to write this post, as I mulled this subject around in my mind, and sought my heavenly Father in prayer.  

Furthermore, I certainly don't profess to be expert on the matter.  This teaching is contrary to the worldview that I had somewhere developed!

Let's dig in, and seek to understand what Calvin is teaching here...

Help! I'm confused. Before Regeneration, what did dead mean?

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

OK!  Something has missed my grasp.  How to explain?

Man = body + soul (soul = mind + will)

In the Garden of Eden, man was fully alive in body and soul.  Then, through a horrendous decision, Adam & Eve disobey God, and eat the apple.

The result?  Death. 

Death of the body = the body is pushing up daisies some day.
Death of the soul?  I suppose this is where I got lost somewhere.

It seems that my construct, for the dead soul, has been literally dead.  No life.  Therefore, I reasoned, when I was "born again", that literally dead soul was brought back from the dead.

However, the soul is immortal, therefore my previous construct doesn't fly.

So, is this death of the soul (that part of me that requires regeneration), a soul that is still alive?   Does this "soul death" suggest a separation from God, and therefore defined as death?  Along with Adam's original sin, came expulsion from Eden.  Is this the death?  Separated from God, with a totally depraved soul?

Are we born Totally Depraved, with Inherited Guilt, and Inherited Corruption, and therefore born with Hell as our Eternal Destiny?

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  2.1.5-11

Wouldn't it be nice if we could simply fit God's eternal mind into our finite minds? 

Unfortunately, that is not the case as we come to one of the most difficult doctrines to wrap our minds around:  Mankind's Total Depravity.

Calvin's instructs us that, as a result of Adam's original sin, we are all born with inherited guilt, as well as inherited corruption.

Let's dig in to Calvin's thoughts...

Why was Adam & Eve's Sin so Spectacular so as to Doom all Mankind?

"Adam & Eve", 1638, by Rembrandt.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion: 2.1.4

I don't find the vast majority, of the visual arts, properly capturing what really happened in the Garden of Eden.

In fact, I had prepared a photograph that displayed a man, willfully displaying his middle digit towards heaven.  I suspect that this would have been a better representation than we see here.

I think we have a tendency to water down the spectacular sins in our lives, to our own disadvantage.

Nothing made the spectacular horror of the Holocaust more real to me, then standing in a death shower, in Auschwitz, and crying.

Nothing made the horror of 9/11 more real to me, than standing in front of the gaping hole, in New York City, and crying.

Nothing makes the horror of abortion more real to me, than looking upon the horrific, graphic photographs, at Abort73, and crying.

And nothing is more monstrous to my soul, than imaging myself, following the example of my forefather Adam, metaphorically raising my middle finger to God, through my constant disobedience, and proclaiming the words that typically accompany such an action.

This, my friends, was the great monstrous, and spectacular sin. 

We saw the same monstrous sin, when Israel proclaimed to God, "God, we don't want you to be our King anymore, we want a human king, like everyone else!"

Don't allow yourself to run by this subject unaware.  If you are not completely mortified, at the thought of this, then it is my contention, my dear reader, that you do not have a proper, and graphic view of this event!

Here is Calvin, on this subject...

The American Dream - Can it lead to an improper view of self?

"Statue of Liberty Picture Contest Winner", by Beatrix, age 7 (Jakarta, Indonesia).

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion: 2.1.1-3

The "American Dream" provides us no comfort on our death bed.

"Whoa!  Dave, dude, isn't that sacrilege?"

King Solomon:  the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.

John Calvin:  the second part of wisdom consists in the knowledge of self.

Before you all start screaming at me, and I get a bunch of hate comments, let me make it clear:  I believe (hmmm - interesting choice of words) in the American Dream. 

However, the incredible blessing of our American heritage, can also be, if we aren't careful with our freedoms, a most horrible curse.

How is that possible?  One word:  pride!

I spent 50 years of my life pursuing the American Dream.  I came from a modest, mid-Western family, went to college, worked hard, and now, at the tender age of 52, find myself enjoying the fruits of my labors.  I am living the American Dream baby!

Problem:  at the age of 50 1/2, I went through the greatest period of depression I have ever experienced!

Why?  Although I decided to take advantage of all that America has to offer me, I wasn't wise enough to have a proper understanding of "self". 

Therefore, when my "self" accomplished its hearts desires, and I began to realize that I had placed my "self" worth in my ability to create a successful business, generate income, etc, etc....and that pursuit was no longer there....I came crashing to earth, to splat in a big blob.  SPLAT!

Here is Calvin:

"With good reason the ancient proverb strongly recommended knowledge of self to man. For if it is considered disgraceful for us not to know all that pertains to the business of human life, even more detestable is our ignorance of ourselves, by which, when making decisions in necessary matters, we miserably deceive and even blind ourselves!"

We have a detestable ignorance of ourselves, and miserably deceive and even blind ourselves!  Strong words.

Let's explore what he is talking about...

Calvin's Institutes (Book #2) - The Knowledge of God, the Redeemer, in Christ

"Christ on the Cross with Mary Magdalene", c 1640/50, attributed to Charles Poerson, at The Art Institute of Chicago.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  Book #2 (Argument)

In Calvin's Institutes, we now travel to the most controversial man to ever walk the face of the earth:  Jesus Christ.

Regardless of whether you believe his claims to be God incarnate, the Messiah, and the Redeemer of all mankind, it is a simple fact that no one has so affected this planet, as this one solitary life.

In broad brush strokes, Calvin's second book is going to cover the fall of man, original sin, and God's redemption of man, through the person of Jesus, the Christ (Messiah), and Redeemer of mankind.

I am fairly certain that we will find, in this book, great instruction, and many wonderful opportunities for thoughtful discussion.

Before we get started:

• Do you now believe that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah to the Jews? 

• Was Jesus Christ who he claimed to be:  God incarnate, who came to seek and save the lost?

• What is your relationship, if any,  with Jesus Christ?

All are welcome to the discussion.  Simply be thoughtful, and respectful.

Great Conversations around Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion" - Book #1

This year, Lord willing, I have been, and will be, blogging my way through John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion".

It took me exactly 40 posts, to collect my thoughts of this first book, and I thought I would highlight a few of them here:

Why am I blogging Calvin's "Institutes"?

Satan Luxuriates in Repose When God's Word is Quenched

God is NOT your fishing buddy!

Do remote Africans, who have never heard of Jesus Christ, go to hell?

Evangelism's Primary Tool - Scripture or Reason?

Did Jesus Literally Walk on Water?

So some Roman Catholics worship statues?

Are Prayers to St. Christopher, by some Roman Catholics, Idolatry?

Did God created the world, in 6 literal days, 6,000 years ago?

John Calvin - The Soul = Understanding + Will

Do you believe in Luck, Fate, or Divine Providence?

Did God prescribe America's current recession?

Did God cause the Jewish Holocaust, permit it, or have nothing to do with the evil presented there?

And finally, in our sampling, the post with the greatest number of comments, and discussion:  Are Catholics True Christians?

In closing, I am going to post Calvin's Aphorisms (13 things to remember) for Book #1...

Did God cause the Jewish Holocaust, permit it, or having nothing to do with the evil presented there?

"Satan Before the Lord" (detail), c 1750, by Corrado Giaquinto.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.18.1-4

We have been learning, from Calvin's Institutes, about God's Providence.  God's Providence is the doctrine where it is held "The world, created by God, is still cherished and protected by him.  Each, and all of its parts, are still governed by his providence."

Each, and all!  Now, let's blow the roof off of our minds a bit.  This involvement even includes God sovereignty over Satan. 

Look at these verses:

Luke 21:31 - “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,..."  (Jesus Christ speaking!)

Job 1:6-12 -  "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord."  (From the Hebrew Canon)

Here, clearly, the Holy Trinity is in "common operation" with Satan!  Does that not send your mind into unimaginable contortions!

Let's see how Calvin handles these dumbfounding abstractions...

Did God prescribe America's current Recession?

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion: 1:17:1-14

This scene, to the left, is being played out all over America.  For that matter, this particular recession is so profound, that it reaches the utmost ends of the earth.

We are currently standing amidst unprecedented financial chaos.  Fully 50% of American's wealth has been removed from their life savings, previously thought imperishable financial institutions, in remarkable numbers, are collapsing all around us.  

Unemployment stands at historic levels, and a great fear has gripped the pocketbooks of America's families, threatening to send our whole economy into collapse. 

To add coal to the fire, our government is responding with trillions of dollars in debt, hoping to spend their way, with money that doesn't exist, out of this stupefying mess.

Well....isn't THAT special!

So here's the question of all questions:  Did God prescribe this mess? 

Does God involve himself in the affairs of man, or does he just sit above and watch?  When we think of God's providence, does that sometimes mean a holy spanking?  Is it possible that God would spank a whole nation?

Calvin continues, in his "Institutes of the Christian Religion", to discuss God's providence.  It will likely serve us well to consider these matters, in the face of our current calamities.

Do you believe in Luck, Fate, or Divine Providence?

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.16.1-9

Our language is a hint to our worldview, or perhaps, as Calvin would no doubt suggest, a lazy mind.

It was not long ago, that we sold our Michigan home, by owner, in five days, in one of the worst real estate markets in history!  Here are some of the comments we received, and frankly participated in:

• Wow!  Are you lucky, or what?
• It must have been fate!
• It must have been in the cards.
• It must have been destiny.
• What a lucky twist of fate.
• Must have been the luck of the draw.
• You guys sure live a charmed life.
• Everything you touch, turns to gold.
• Must have been Karma.

Get the picture?  Absolutely no one, in their language anyway, suggested that this was a clear, and evident providence of holy God. 

Let's contemplate the definition of these words:

• Luck: success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions : it was just luck that the first kick went in | this charm was supposed to bring good luck.
  • chance considered as a force that causes good or bad things to happen : luck was with me.
  • something regarded as bringing about or portending good or bad things : I don't like Friday—it's bad luck.
• Fate:  the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power : fate decided his course for him | his injury is a cruel twist of fate.
  • the course of someone's life, or the outcome of a particular situation for someone or something, seen as beyond their control : he suffered the same fate as his companion.
• Divine Providence:  In theology, Divine Providence, or simply Providence, is the sovereignty, superintendence, or agency of God over events in people's lives and throughout history.

John Calvin now brings us to the subject of Divine Providence, let's see what we can learn...