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<\/a><\/p>\nThis is an installment of a series of replies (see the\u00a0Introduction and Master List<\/a>), starting with #56, to portions\u00a0<\/em>of Book III of\u00a0Institutes of the Christian Religion<\/a><\/em>, by early\u00a0Protestant leader\u00a0John Calvin<\/a>\u00a0(1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge<\/a>, dated 1846, from the 1559 edition in Latin;\u00a0available online<\/a>. Calvin\u2019s words will be in\u00a0blue<\/span>. All biblical citations (in my portions) will be from RSV unless otherwise noted.<\/p>\n Related reading from yours truly:<\/p>\n Biblical Catholic Answers for John Calvin<\/a>\u00a0<\/i>(2010 book: 388 pages)<\/p>\n A Biblical Critique of Calvinism<\/a>\u00a0<\/i>(2012 book: 178 pages)<\/p>\n Biblical Catholic Salvation: \u201cFaith Working Through Love\u201d<\/a>\u00a0<\/i>(2010 book: 187 pages; includes biblical critiques of all five points of \u201cTULIP\u201d)<\/p>\n John Calvin: Catholic Appraisal<\/a> (Web Page)<\/p>\n Calvinism & General Protestantism: Catholic Critique (Web Page)<\/a><\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n III, 2:10, 21, 31<\/strong><\/p>\n *****<\/p>\n 1) Faith: Its Definition Set Forth, and Its Properties Explained.<\/a><\/p>\n Section 10: View to be taken of this. Who those are that believe for a time. The faith of hypocrites. With whom they may be compared.<\/a><\/p>\n But as this shadow or image of faith is of no moment, so it is unworthy of the name. How far it differs from true faith will shortly be explained at length. Here, however, we may just indicate it in passing. Simon Magus is said to have believed, though he soon after gave proof of his unbelief, (Acts 8:13-18.) In regard to the faith attributed to him, we do not understand with some, that he merely pretended a belief which had no existence in his heart: we rather think that, overcome by the majesty of the Gospel, he yielded some kind of assent, and so far acknowledged Christ to be the author of life and salvation, as willingly to assume his name. In like manner, in the Gospel of Luke, those in whom the seed of the word is choked before it brings forth fruit, or in whom, from having no depth of earth, it soon withereth away, are said to believe for a time. Such, we doubt not, eagerly receive the word with a kind of relish, and have some feeling of its divine power, so as not only to impose upon men by a false semblance of faith, but even to impose upon themselves. They imagine that the reverence which they give to the word is genuine piety, because they have no idea of any impiety but that which consists in open and avowed contempt. But whatever that assent may be, it by no means penetrates to the heart, so as to have a fixed seat there. Although it sometimes seems to have planted its roots, these have no life in them. The human heart has so many recesses for vanity, so many lurking places for falsehood, is so shrouded by fraud and hypocrisy, that it often deceives itself. Let those who glory in such semblances of faith know that, in this respect, they are not a whit superior to devils. The one class, indeed, is inferior to them, inasmuch as they are able without emotion to hear and understand things, the knowledge of which makes devils tremble, (James 2:19.) The other class equals them in this, that whatever be the impression made upon them, its only result is terror and consternation. (III, 2:10)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [T]he saying of John, in his Epistle, is fulfilled, \u201cThis is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,\u201d (1 John 5: 4.) It is not said that it will be victorious in a single fight, or a few, or some one assault, but that it will be victorious over the whole world, though it should be a thousand times assailed.<\/span> (III, 2:21)<\/p>\n These examples certainly show that error is often mingled with faith; and yet that when faith is real, it always obtains the preeminence. For as the particular error of Rebekah did not render the blessing of no effect, neither did it nullify the faith which generally ruled in her mind, and was the principle and cause of that action. In this, nevertheless, Rebekah showed how prone the human mind is to turn aside whenever it gives itself the least indulgence. But though defect and infirmity obscure faith, they do not extinguish it.<\/span> (III, 2:31)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Here, Calvin is trying to draw a distinction between the true saving faith of the elect and what he calls not<\/em> \u201ctrue faith\u201d<\/span> and \u201csome kind of assent\u201d<\/span> and \u201ca false semblance of faith\u201d<\/span> and (in the next section 11) not<\/em> the \u201csame faith.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 The problem he has (as so often) is with Holy Scripture and Jesus.<\/p>\n Luke 22:32<\/strong><\/span> but I have prayed for you that your faith<\/strong> may not<\/strong> fail<\/strong><\/em> . . .<\/p><\/blockquote>\n From this we learn two important things: 1) Peter had faith, and 2) it could possibly fail. If it couldn\u2019t <\/em>possibly fail, then Jesus\u2019 prayer makes no sense.\u00a0 Neither Jesus nor anyone else prays for things not to happen that can\u2019t ever possibly happen anyway<\/em>. We don\u2019t pray that basic mathematics not fail, so that, tomorrow, 2+2 won\u2019t = 5. It can\u2019t change, and so there is no need to pray<\/em> that it won\u2019t change. No one could pray that God would cease being eternal, or that Jesus wouldn\u2019t return in the Second Coming, because those things are impossible and can never happen.<\/p>\n Therefore, Peter\u2019s faith could have possibly failed<\/em>, which means (by straightforward logical extension) that anyone\u2019s<\/em> faith could do so. But Calvin does the notorious \u201cCalvinist runaround\u201d and special pleading (circular reasoning) and asserts that \u201cfaith\u201d which is not possessed forever<\/em> by someone (faith in a person who falls away) wasn\u2019t ever<\/em> \u201creally\u201d faith. Sorry, we must go with what the inspired biblical revelation teaches (in this case, from Jesus Himself). But there is much more:<\/p>\n Acts 11:23<\/strong><\/span> . . . he exhorted them all to remain faithful <\/strong><\/em>to the Lord with steadfast purpose;<\/p>\n Romans 11:20-22<\/strong><\/span> They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith<\/strong><\/em>. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God\u2019s kindness to you, provided<\/strong> you continue<\/strong> in his kindness; otherwise<\/strong> you too will be cut off<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n 1 Corinthians 16:13<\/strong><\/span> Be watchful, stand firm<\/strong> in your\u00a0faith<\/strong><\/em>, be courageous, be strong.<\/p>\n 2 Corinthians 1:24<\/strong><\/span> . . . you stand firm<\/strong><\/em> in your\u00a0faith<\/em><\/b>.<\/p>\n 2 Corinthians 13:5<\/strong><\/span> Examine yourselves<\/em>, to see whether you are holding<\/strong> to your faith<\/strong><\/em>. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? \u2014 unless indeed you fail to meet the test!<\/em><\/p>\n 1 Timothy 2:15<\/strong> <\/span>Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if<\/strong> she continues in faith<\/strong><\/em> and love and holiness, with modesty.<\/p>\n 1 Peter 5:9<\/strong> <\/span>Resist him, firm<\/strong> in your faith<\/strong><\/em>, . . .<\/p>\n Revelation 2:10<\/strong><\/span> . . . Be faithful<\/strong> unto death<\/strong><\/em>, and I will give you the crown of life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n These passages all presuppose and therefore demonstrate the same idea: one can possess true faith<\/em> (we know that because the inspired Bible stated<\/em> that they did) and that this faith can be rejected or lost. Losing it or potentially doing so (which warnings against losing it presuppose) don\u2019t prove<\/em> that it was inauthentic. If that were the case, then the Bible could never refer to \u201cfaith\u201d in these instances being possessed and possibly or actually lost. It\u2019s a lot of Scripture (nine very clear passages) for Calvin to directly oppose. But he tries in vain to do so, anyway (bless his heart).<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Practical Matters<\/em><\/strong>: Perhaps some of my 4,200+ free online articles (the most comprehensive \u201cone-stop\u201d Catholic apologetics site) or\u00a0fifty-one books<\/a>\u00a0have helped you (by God\u2019s grace) to decide to\u00a0become Catholic<\/a>\u00a0or to\u00a0return to the Church<\/a>,\u00a0or better understand some doctrines and\u00a0why<\/em>\u00a0we believe them<\/a>.<\/p>\n Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I\u2019m always in need of more funds: especially\u00a0monthly<\/em>\u00a0support. \u201cThe laborer is worthy of his wages\u201d (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a\u00a0full-time Catholic apologist<\/a>,\u00a0and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.<\/p>\n PayPal donations<\/a>\u00a0are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. You\u2019ll see the term \u201cCatholic Used Book Service\u201d, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page:\u00a0About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong \/ Donation Information<\/a>.\u00a0Thanks a million<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0from the bottom of my heart!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ***<\/p>\n Photo credit:\u00a0<\/strong>Historical mixed media figure of John Calvin produced by artist\/historian George S. Stuart and photographed by Peter d\u2019Aprix: from the<\/span>\u00a0George S. Stuart Gallery of Historical Figures archive<\/a>\u00a0[Wikimedia Commons<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0Creative Commons<\/a>\u00a0Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported<\/a>\u00a0license]<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Summary<\/em>: John Calvin argues that genuine, authentic faith can never be lost, & if \u201cfaith\u201d is lost, it wasn\u2019t ever the real thing. I refute this error with nine clear Bible passages.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is an installment of a series of replies (see the\u00a0Introduction and Master List), starting with #56, to portions\u00a0of Book III of\u00a0Institutes of the Christian Religion, by early\u00a0Protestant leader\u00a0John Calvin\u00a0(1509-1564). I utilize the public domain translation of Henry Beveridge, dated 1846, from the 1559 edition in Latin;\u00a0available online. Calvin\u2019s words will be in\u00a0blue. All biblical […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":70719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37,50],"tags":[17238,238,1213,150,342,2355,17241,17235,243],"class_list":["post-70716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-john-calvin","category-salvation-justification","tag-apostasty","tag-faith","tag-faith-works","tag-falling-away","tag-institutes-of-the-christian-religion","tag-john-calvin","tag-losing-faith","tag-saving-faith","tag-soteriology-2"],"yoast_head":"\n