Faith is more a matter of the heart than the intellect. This is one of the few gold comments of Calvin that I quite like and has stayed with me for many years. In this quote Calvin builds his foundation for the distinct and inseparable relationship between justification and sanctification.
This is part of my series on Calvin’s Institutes.
Quote
By talking in this style, they show plainly that they have never thought of the special gift of the Spirit; since one of the first elements of faith is reconciliation implied in man’s drawing near to God. Did they duly ponder the saying of Paul, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness,” (Rom. 10:10), they would cease to dream of that frigid quality.
There is one consideration which ought at once to put an end to the debate—viz. that assent itself (as I have already observed, and will afterwards more fully illustrate) is more a matter of the heart than the head, of the affection than the intellect.
For this reason, it is termed “the obedience of faith,” (Rom. 1:5), which the Lord prefers to all other service, and justly, since nothing is more precious to him than his truth, which, as John Baptist declares, is in a manner signed and sealed by believers (John 3:33).
As there can be no doubt on the matter, we in one word conclude, that they talk absurdly when they maintain that faith is formed by the addition of pious affection as an accessory to assent, since assent itself, such at least as the Scriptures describe, consists in pious affection.
But we are furnished with a still clearer argument.
- Since faith embraces Christ as he is offered by the Father, and he is offered not only for justification, for forgiveness of sins and peace,
- but also for sanctification, as the fountain of living waters,
it is certain that no man will ever know him aright without at the same time receiving the sanctification of the Spirit; or, to express the matter more plainly, faith consists in the knowledge of Christ; Christ cannot be known without the sanctification of his Spirit: therefore faith cannot possibly be disjoined from pious affection. (Calvin, Instit. 3.2.8)
Comment
With the heart people believe the gospel. Heartfelt belief is not simply intellectual. It involves feelings, emotions and the will. Believers hearts are circumcised (Rom 2.29). The evil flesh is cut away. Believers obey from the heart (Rom 6.17). Common to all the apostles and their audiences is a shared belief in the gospel. They expect this belief will affect their intellect, emotions and actions.
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