Jean Calvin
Reformation theologian: every human being carries a natural sense of the divine.
Life
French theologian and reformer (1509-1564), born in Noyon and settled in Geneva. His Institutes of the Christian Religion, first published in 1536 and revised repeatedly, is the most influential statement of Reformed Protestant thought. In it he affirms God's sovereignty, predestination, and a natural sense of the divine present in every human being.
Main works
Sets out Reformed doctrine: knowledge of God, Christ, faith, the Church.
Summarizes Reformed faith in questions and answers.
In his own words
« We hold it beyond dispute that there is in the human mind, and indeed by natural instinct, a sense of the divine. »
Quemdam inesse humanae menti, et quidem naturali instinctu, divinitatis sensum, extra controversiam ponimus
« Nearly the whole sum of our wisdom, that which deserves to be counted true and solid wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. »
Tota fere sapientiae nostrae summa, quae vera demum ac solida sapientia censeri debeat, duabus partibus constat, Dei cognitione et nostri
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceEvery human being has a natural sense of the divine, and creation shows God's glory.
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), I.iii-v
Predestination: God chose the saved before the world began, and the fallen will cannot turn to good by its own power.
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), II.ii-v and III.xxi-xxiv
Sin has darkened reason in spiritual matters: faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, not a result of argument.
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), II.ii and III.ii
The chief end of human life is to know and glorify God.
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), I.i-ii
Since the Fall, human nature is totally corrupted by sin, in mind as well as in will.
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), II.i