http://Godnoliar.com/Calvin_said_Certainty_is_Doubt.html
Calvin was certainly Biblical when he said...
"We shall now have a full definition of faith if we say that it is a FIRM and SURE knowledge of the divine favor TOWARD US, founded on the truth of a free promise in Christ, and revealed to our minds, and sealed on our hearts, by the Holy Spirit." {1}
Indeed, that's the "full" definition of faith (it's how the Bible defines faith). The Bible says faith is understanding and certainty about the Gospel. It NEVER says that faith is certainty and *doubting* about the Gospel.
Yet Calvin and his followers actually do define faith as certainty and doubting !
He wrote,
"But it will be said that this [the view that faith is certainty] differs widely from the experience of believers, who, in recognizing the grace of God toward them, not only feel disquietude, (this often happens,) but sometimes tremble, overcome with terror, so violent are the temptations which assail their minds. THIS SCARCELY SEEMS CONSISTENT WITH CERTAINTY OF FAITH. It is necessary to solve this difficulty, in order to maintain the doctrine above laid down. When we say that faith must be certain and secure, we certainly speak not of an assurance which is never affected by doubt, nor a security which anxiety never assails; we rather maintain that believers have a perpetual struggle with their own distrust, and are thus far from thinking that their consciences possess a placid quiet, uninterrupted by perturbation." {2}
Calvin admitted that "FIRM and SURE knowledge of the divine favor TOWARD US" is "scarcely consistent" with the experiences of most "believers".
Logically it follows that most "believers" are in fact, unbelievers. Because if the Bible defines faith as a "FIRM and SURE knowledge of the divine favor TOWARD US", then people who doubt their salvation must be unbelievers. They do NOT have a firm and sure knowledge of divine favor, do they?
Yet Calvin rejects logic and exhibits irrationalism.
Instead of concluding that 1) since faith is certainty, people who doubt do not have faith, he concluded that 2) because "believers" have been known to doubt, therefore faith is both certainty and doubting.
He wrote,
"But if in the believer's mind CERTAINTY IS MINGLED WITH DOUBT, must we not always be carried back to the conclusion, that faith consists not of a sure and clear, but only of an obscure and confused, understanding of the divine will in regard to us?" {3}
What?! Certainty mingled with doubt ?! You can be certain about the Gospel, yet doubt it?
Haha! Next thing they'll tell us you can believe the Gospel and not believe it at the same time! But let's hear the Scripture...
"For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven by wind and being tossed; for DO NOT let that man SUPPOSE HE WILL RECEIVE ANYTHING from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in ALL his ways." (Jam 1:6-8)
James says that someone who doubts is unstable about everything! Certain about NOTHING! Yet Calvin says "certainty is mingled with doubt". This is ridiculous. And what I cannot understand, is how Calvin could also write,
"[Paul] declares, that all are REPROBATES, WHO DOUBT WHETHER THEY PROFESS CHRIST AND ARE A PART OF HIS BODY. Let us, therefore, reckon that alone to be right faith, which leads us to repose in safety in the favor of God, with no wavering opinion, but with a firm and steadfast assurance." {4}
He was commenting on 2 Corinthians 13:5, which says... "Know this not of your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless you indeed be reprobates." So Calvin said that all are reprobates who doubt their salvation. But wait a second ... "certainty is mingled with doubt", right? So Paul must also condemn all those certain about their salvation (according to Calvin). Since, certainty always contains doubt, and Paul condemns doubters, then those with certainty about their salvation, must be condemned (according to Calvin).
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I'm glad you are here to correct this ancient theologians misguidedness... Now if you could only reach the hundreds of thousands of people Calvin has helped strengthen their faith through his teachings... By the way how many people have you helped increase there faith? Thank God for Christians like you who will help us divide against other Christians..
TeeJbax29 5 months ago
everyone should do themselves a favor and never pay any attention to andrew bain at all. arguing with him encourages him, its the fuel to his fire, dissension is the reason his ministry exists.(romans 16:17) tells us to stay away from these type of people "such people are not serving the Lord but their own appetite.he has been doing this for a long time and he has been warned many times.he is not gonna repent for his ministry.may God help him.just pray for andrew theirs nothing more we can do
FollowTheCloud 8 months ago
@Providential1611
The message of Luther & Calvin was simply this
Everything that is required & needed to obtain salvation is in Christ alone. Outside of Christ there is no favor. Outside of Christ all there is is death and destruction. Wrath abides on every human that is outside of Christ. and one day the heavenly Father will uproot every plant that he has not planted [THE REPROBATES] If we are in Christ it is because we have been planted in His vineyard By the Heavenly Father!
NB3K 11 months ago
@Providential1611
Faith is all that we need. Christ has supplied for us the works. The works in his life, the works in his death, and the life he has in the work of his ressurection will be enough works for anyone. Paul says in acts:
Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
WE ARE SANCTIFIED BY FAITH IN GOD
NB3K 11 months ago
@Providential1611
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Do you see what Paul is saying here. This is my Faith right here. I am not working after a righteousness that is built on how I live this live, but my hope is in the God who will justify me even though I am guilty before him. SOLA FIDE SOLA FIDE SOLA FIDE!!!
NB3K 11 months ago
@Providential1611 So why do you "freely" sin? Do you say you are without sin? Because if you say you are without sin the truth is not in you. I know you freelly sin because I sin freely. I don't even know if I even greive the way I ought to over my sin. But I know ONE THING FOR SURE AND IT IS AN ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!!!!
NB3K 11 months ago
On quite a bit there is much that could be seen as not being certain. In fact, certainty is the antethesis of faith. Paul taught we are saved by hope, but that which we can see is not hope. Of course, seeing that the Spirit makes intercession for us when we do not know that which we should pray for. Romans 8:19-27 is where many of these ideas are drawn from(500 charachters does not give much room to quote verses.)
daveme7 1 year ago
Really? Why does Christ condemn others for denying the Lord and other people who affirm rejecting Christ are saved-so what is this? Why did you not bring any of this up to John Calvin when he wrote this? 2 Tim. 2:12-13 n9is a good place to start. Yes, I know none of us were alive when he wrote his institutes but to clarify a point-accusing a person who is now dead-the most sure thing is that when one debates somene alive-you will always win.
daveme7 1 year ago
@Providential1611
/// victory over sin does not breed pride ///
It most certainly CAN - when satan or your flesh says to you "you've done a good job mate, you're INVINCIBLE now!", you're natural tendency is sometimes to take the credit for yourself.
Noone is at that stage of perfection - not ever Christians, in this lifetime at least
doctorh2005 1 year ago