Quotes From The Institutes

I will post some of Calvin's thoughts here . He was human and subject to fallibility . So you are welcome to challenge anything . But he is not to be lightly dismissed . I will give the book , chapter , and section number at the end of each quote . By the way, these quotes will deal with predestination .

We shall never be clearly persuaded , as we ought to be , that our salvation flows from the wellspring of God's free mercy until we come to know his eternal election , which illumines God's grace by this contrast : that he does not indiscriminarely adopt all into the hope of salvation but gives to some what he denies to others . How much the ignorance of this principle detracts from God's glory , how much it takes away from true humility . ( 3.21.1 --- no it's not a star date )

 

We call predestination God's eternal degree , by which he determined with himself what he willed to become of each man . For all are not created in equal condition ; rather , eternal life is foreordained for some , eternal damnation for others . Therefore , as any man has been created to one or the other of these ends , we speak of him as predestinated to life or to death . ( 3.21.5 )

 

But since he foresees future events only by reason of the fact that he decreed that they take place , they vainly raise a quarrel over foreknowledge , when it is clear that all things take place rather by his determination and bidding . ( 3:23.6)

 

We assert that , with respect to the elect , this plan was founded upon his freely given mercy , without regard to human worth ; but by his just and irreprehensible but incomprehensible judgment he has barred the door of life to those whom he has given over to damnation . ( 3.21.7)

 

Christ is the upholder of the universe . Nothing subsists , nothing exists without His Divine direction . Nothing is an absolute term . Be more Calvinistic and you will be more biblical .

As an afterthought ( only Christ has FOREknowledge ) --- this thread deals with Calvin's Institutes . Christ is front-and-center in the same .

 

SP , Matthew 24:36 is speaking oif Christ as the Son of man, not the Son of God . As the Son of God He of course knows all , and purposes all . In the Matthew passage Christ was doing the work as the Mediator as both Gofd and Man -- knowing the time of His next apearing concerned the work of the Father .

But your question was meant as a diversion . The point is that Christ is indeed the sustainer of the universe . He is preeminent over all creation . This is developed more in Colossians 1:15-20 and Hebrews chapters 1 and 2 .

And , may I say , Calvin's business was explaining the words of Christ , the apostles and prophets . You have the freedom to ignore him if you wish . The Lord has had many servants who have undertaken to explore God's Word for our benefit . But be selective as well .