Grant
Puritan Board Graduate
I assume most are familiar with the distinction that God does not cause evil but rather permits evil to occur. Calvin has an interesting section in Volume I of his institutes relating to this topic.
The section header is entitled I. No mere “permission”! and appears in Chapter XVIII. My Battles edition has this on pages 228 - 231. Often I have found the distinction that God does not be“will” evil but “permits” evil to be a helpful one. However, Calvin has me thinking.
1. Would someone with electronic access be willing to post that section in this thread in case some need to review.
2. Do you feel Calvin goes too far, by stating that the idea that God merely grants permission to evil is easily repudiated by scripture?
The short quote (pg. 229 Battles):
3. Is there a better way to articulate a response to this raised question beyond the distinction of “doing” vs. “permission”.
I think Calvin raises a valid point, but am still wrestling with the question of if he provides a better solution. This is a common question for both the Christian and the skeptic.
The section header is entitled I. No mere “permission”! and appears in Chapter XVIII. My Battles edition has this on pages 228 - 231. Often I have found the distinction that God does not be“will” evil but “permits” evil to be a helpful one. However, Calvin has me thinking.
1. Would someone with electronic access be willing to post that section in this thread in case some need to review.
2. Do you feel Calvin goes too far, by stating that the idea that God merely grants permission to evil is easily repudiated by scripture?
The short quote (pg. 229 Battles):
Therefore, they escape by the shift that this is done only with God’s permission, not also by his will; but he, openly declaring that he is the doer, repudiates that evasion.
3. Is there a better way to articulate a response to this raised question beyond the distinction of “doing” vs. “permission”.
I think Calvin raises a valid point, but am still wrestling with the question of if he provides a better solution. This is a common question for both the Christian and the skeptic.