Calvin at the start of the third book of Institutes outlines his understanding of saving faith. His interpretation is framed by his understanding of the law, sin and salvation. Question is, is this the way the scriptures describe faith?
This is part of my series on Calvin’s Institutes.
Quote
All these things will be easily understood after we have given a clearer definition of faith, so as to enable the readers to apprehend its nature and power.
Here it is of importance to call to mind what was formerly taught, first, That since God by his Law prescribes what we ought to do, failure in any one respect subjects us to the dreadful judgment of eternal death, which it denounces.
Secondly, Because it is not only difficult, but altogether beyond our strength and ability, to fulfill the demands of the Law, if we look only to ourselves and consider what is due to our merits, no ground of hope remains, but we lie forsaken of God under eternal death.
Thirdly, That there is only one method of deliverance which can rescue us from this miserable calamity—viz. when Christ the Redeemer appears, by whose hand our heavenly Father, out of his infinite goodness and mercy, has been pleased to succor us, if we with true faith embrace this mercy, and with firm hope rest in it.
It is now proper to consider the nature of this faith, by means of which, those who are adopted into the family of God obtain possession of the heavenly kingdom. For the accomplishment of so great an end, it is obvious that no mere opinion or persuasion is adequate. And the greater care and diligence is necessary in discussing the true nature of faith, from the pernicious delusions which many, in the present day, labour under with regard to it. Great numbers, on hearing the term, think that nothing more is meant than a certain common assent to the Gospel History. (Calvin, Instit. 3.2.1)
Comment
Calvin is probably working with a misunderstanding of what he calls ‘God’s law’. A mistake common to the reformers was to assume the law of Moses was God’s law for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles.
Calvin frames his understanding of faith within his understanding of the law and human disobedience. He says true faith acknowledges one’s own sinful plight and embraces God’s mercy.
Finally he calls into question faith as belief (or assent) in the Gospel History. This is ironic because it is precisely faith in the gospel as the story of Jesus which leads one to what the bible most commonly describes as saving faith.
I suspect Calvin misunderstands what the message of the gospel is and this leads him into a misunderstanding of the content of saving faith.
Had Calvin looked more closely at the scriptures to determine the content of saving faith he would have seen the most common reference to the content of faith is the recognition Jesus is the risen Lord and that this is specifically argued by the apostles in Acts and the Gospel.
2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. (Acts 17.2-4)
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Rom 10.9-10)
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (Jn 20.30-31)
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