tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post4385925622580862860..comments2023-05-17T01:09:54.656-07:00Comments on The Evangelical Calvinist In Plain Language: What is Federal Calvinism: And Some HistoryBobby Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06831009618873548948noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-13743107838560569242012-04-27T23:01:15.334-07:002012-04-27T23:01:15.334-07:00Arjen,
You'll just have to read this book to ...Arjen,<br /><br />You'll just have to read this book to see ;-).<br /><br />Yes, I do think that Federal Theology leads to a works righteousness performance based Christian spirituality; English Puritanism only helps to substantiate my point.<br /><br />I think we need to be careful to make a distinction what Federal Calvinists say about their theology today, and indeed what the actual implications of their theology leads to if we follow its logical trajectory.Bobby Growhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06831009618873548948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-74553837749667275162012-04-26T01:00:40.558-07:002012-04-26T01:00:40.558-07:00Hi Bobby,
You're right, of course, about Calv...Hi Bobby,<br /><br />You're right, of course, about Calvin's not working within a Federal Covenant framework. I'm also acquainted with the complaints about post Reformed Federal theology. My question was, whether it was right to charge Olevianus with these complaints. As far as I can see, the Bierma-quotation doesn't give rise to such a charge.<br />I don't know much about Olevianus, so there might be proof that he holds the position you suggest. But I didn't read it in your post. You might also argue that everyone who is working within a Federal framework inevitably must subscribe a kind of good works doctrine, in the sense you mentioned. But that's a line of argument that needs to be explained and defended as well.Arjenhttp://qualitativetheology.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-25024734755117790452012-04-25T15:46:05.500-07:002012-04-25T15:46:05.500-07:00Hi Arjen,
I don't think Calvin worked within ...Hi Arjen,<br /><br />I don't think Calvin worked within the parameters of the 'Federal' Covenant framework, that would be anachronistic. I also don't think that Calvin's 'double grace' theology and union with Christ theology advocates for a person's salvation being contingent upon him/her keeping or doing good works (this is what took form later 'After Calvin' with the post Reformed orthodox ... as you know). I see Olevianus, as sketched by Bierma, in line with the post Reformed orthodox in a seminal form and not with Calvin. So I don't think the issue was simply one of simple trust in Christ or not; within the Federal framework good works become the badge for the elect (or not). I don't see this emphasis in Calvin's theology (even though he does develop thinking on good works, but those are intentionally grounded in the double grace both embodied in Christ, and thus an emphasis upon union with Christ is at the forefront for Calvin ... meaning that Christ is at the center of salvation not me).Bobby Growhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06831009618873548948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-4115324608756758902012-04-25T02:58:21.934-07:002012-04-25T02:58:21.934-07:00I wonder whether your last sentences are a fair co...I wonder whether your last sentences are a fair comment on the basis of your Bierma-quote. Is it really true that Olevianus makes the potential saint to look at herself? Or is this quite the same as Calvin continues to stress in his theology: God's promises are reliable, but if we don't believe them, they won't benefit us at all? I believe Olevianus' theology is much more akin to Calvin's, then this post suggests.<br />Best wishes,<br />ArjenArjenhttp://qualitativetheology.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com