Calvin really wants you to know one thing about yourself: you suck. I mean, royally. You are trash from the outside in - from your hair follicles down to your very will. Because of this, you could not accomplish a lick of good even if you wanted to. Of course, you don't want to, because your will is infected with the filth of sinful corruption.
Pelagians don't appreciate such talk, of course. The Pelagians thought that God's redemptive work actually worked within us to change the corruption within those lucky enough to be a part of elect. So, we get better and more capable. Calvin spends a good amount of time eviscerating their arguments. Calvin sees the flesh - even at its most cowed - as incurable taint (*chuckle* *snicker* *derp*). Our will is continually corrupt by virtue of being human.
Good comes from God and never from fallen man. So, when good is accomplished by human means, it is only because God has instilled the will and the ability within that human agent. There is no liberated human - no free agent. True liberty is to be enslaved to the will of God.
Liberty vs. Sovereignty is a fascinating philosophical discussion that is seemingly only important to first semester seminarians. By the time they finish the second semester, they usually find themselves in two groups. The first are convinced of the useless and vain silliness of the debate, and will inevitably become great pastors or thoughtful theologians. The other group are completely convinced of their own perspective on the issue and well on their way to a horrible life of youth ministry.
For those petty theologians in youth ministry, Lord, we pray.
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| Youth Minister - totally solved the Liberty vs. Sovereignty debate in 1 semester. Nailed it. |
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