Book II Chapter 2

Calvin says that nobody has free will. It does not exist. We are all enslaved to sin and lust and nastiness and we are incapable of doing anything good. It may seem like we are making our own choices, but it is just an illusion caused by our corrupted souls.

But, sometimes people do good and godly things, don't they? Of course they do, but this is not of their own volition, rather God works the goodness into their will, so it is not really their will at all. God caused it to happen, because of his grace and mercy!

There is a personal spiritual aspect to all this since we cannot claim any part in anything that is good. So, Calvin maintains that we are thus humbled by our depravity. The more we contemplate our pitiful state, the less likely we are to claim credit for something God did. Thus, we can have a right relationship with God: humble and appreciative.

I have a problem with such a stance. 'Humble and appreciative sounds' a lot like 'humiliated and shamed.' Psychologists teach not to put up with such relationships. Humiliation and shame are almost always poor motivation for healthy behavior. Why is God acting like an abusive father. Instead, what if we are so scandalized by the immensity of God's grace that we change our perspectives, our lives, and our actions? Wouldn't that be better?

Calvin makes an important distinction, however, about whom regenerative grace is given - only the elect. He is scandalized by the 'fanatics' that would have God 'promiscuously and equally' distribute grace to all people. How horrible! Can you imagine how crazy God would have to be just to let anybody off the hook, instead of picking and choosing random people? How could these crazy 'fanatics' believe such nonsense?

• "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3-4).
• "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9
• Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. (Rom 5:18)).
•  And I, when I am lifted up^[g] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32)
• But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Heb. 2:9)

etc. etc.