When I first read through Institutes what impressed me most about Calvin’s theology was his focus on the Holy Spirit. In this quote he highlights people come to Christ, only through the work of the Spirit.
This is part of my series on Calvin’s Institutes.
Quote
Therefore, as we cannot possibly come to Christ unless drawn by the Spirit, so when we are drawn we are both in mind and spirit exalted far above our own understanding.
For the soul, when illumined by him, receives as it were a new eye, enabling it to contemplate heavenly mysteries, by the splendour of which it was previously dazzled. And thus, indeed, it is only when the human intellect is irradiated by the light of the Holy Spirit that it begins to have a taste of those things which pertain to the kingdom of God; previously it was too stupid and senseless to have any relish for them.
Hence our Saviour, when clearly declaring the mysteries of the kingdom to the two disciples, makes no impression till he opens their minds to understand the Scriptures, (Luke 24:27, 45.) (Calvin, Instit. 3.2.34)
Comment
Calvin in this passage surely has 1 Cor 1-2, Ephesians 4.17f and John 3.6-8 in mind when he speaks of the role of the Spirit.
There is a debate over whether faith comes before the Spirit, or vice versa faith is a gift of the Spirit. There is scriptural support for both. For myself I’m with Calvin (and NT Wright) in affirming that faith is evidence of the Spirit’s regenerating work in a person.
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