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THEOLOGY PROPER ACCORDING TO JOHN CALVIN __________________ A Paper Presented toDr. Adam HarwoodThe College at Southwestern __________________ In Partial Fulfillmentof the Requirements for THE4203 __________________  byWes TerryMarch 26, 2009
 
THEOLOGY PROPER ACCORDING TO JOHN CALVINJohn Calvin is a well known figure in the field of theology. His writingcreatively explained things about God and moved doctrine from the world of academia tothe deepest chambers of the heart. This is not surprising because, for Calvin, “Doctrine isnot a matter of talk but of life.”
1
Calvin opened his major work,
The Institutes of Christian Religion,
with the doctrine of God. The following will set out to understandCalvin in regard to his historical context, unpack his doctrine of God, and weigh Calvin’sdoctrine with what has become of it in academic circles today.
Who Was John Calvin?
Calvin lived at time when the health of the Christian church was in jeopardy. No parts of the clergy were competent with the Scriptures nor were they teaching proper doctrine or genuine piety.
2
One gets a glimpse of Calvin’s frustration in his response toSadoleto’s letter to the Genevans. “Those who were regarded as the leaders of faithneither understood thy Word, nor greatly cared for it. They drove unhappy people to andfro with strange doctrines, and deluded them with I know not what follies.”
3
Calvin was concerned with the Scriptural competency of his day and so he set
1
John Calvin,
The Institutes of Christian Religion
, ed. Tony Lane & HilaryOsborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1987), 162.
2
Randall C. Zachman,
 John Calvin: As Teacher, Pastor, and Theologian
(GrandRapids: Baker Academic, 2006), 11.
3
John Calvin and Jacopo Sadoleto,
 A Reformation Debate: Sadoleto's Letter tothe Genevans and Calvin's Reply
, ed. John C. Olin (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976), 82.1
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