Calvin’s Doctrine of the Call
This article examines John Calvin's doctrine of the gospel call as presented in the Institutes, specifically addressing how Calvin harmonizes God's universal preaching of the gospel with His particular election of the saved. Engelsma demonstrates that for Calvin, the external call to all hearers is compatible with the Spirit's effectual calling given only to the elect, resolving a key objection to the doctrine of election.
Prof. David J. Engelsma John Calvin takes up the doctrine of the call of the gospel in book 3 of the Institutes in connection with the doctrine of God’s eternal election. Where Calvin treats the call is significant. For Calvin God’s call in the preaching of the gospel is based on and controlled by eternal election. In chapter 22, section 10, after he has taught that God elects some to salvation and reprobates others to perdition, he notes: Some object that God would be inconsistent with...