Calvin - Three Types of Men

Next we can see in the writings of Calvin the similarities of the three types of men described earlier in Irenaeus writings as he exposed the Gnostics and the three natures of men.

 

CHAPTER 24. ELECTION CONFIRMED BY THE CALLING OF GOD. THE REPROBATE BRING UPON THEMSELVES THE RIGHTEOUS DESTRUCTION TO WHICH THEY ARE DOOMED.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.v.xxv.html

 

8. The expression of our Savior, "Many are called, but few are chosen," (Mt. 22:14), is also very improperly interpreted (see Book 3, chap. 2, sec. 11, 12). There will be no ambiguity in it, if we attend to what our former remarks ought to have made clear--viz. that there are two species of calling: for there is an universal call, by which God, through the external preaching of the word, invites all men alike, even those for whom he designs the call to be a savor of death, and the ground of a severer condemnation. Besides this there is a special call which, for the most part, God bestows on believers only, when by the internal illumination of the Spirit he causes the word preached to take deep root in their hearts. Sometimes, however, he communicates it also to those whom he enlightens only for a time, and whom afterwards, in just punishment for their ingratitude, he abandons and smites with greater blindness.

 

We can see how the nearly identical teachings to that of the gnostics has evolved and transformed to seem more biblical, yet it is very much the same concept.

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• Calvin’s Elect - Besides this there is a special call which, for the most part, God bestows on believers only, when by the internal illumination of the Spirit he causes the word preached to take deep root in their hearts.

• Gnostic Spiritual – The Perfect, and the Elect seed, “they themselves have grace as their own special possession, which has descended from above by means of an unspeakable and indescribable conjunction”

 

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• Calvin’s False Faith - Sometimes, however, he communicates it also to those whom he enlightens only for a time, and whom afterwards, in just punishment for their ingratitude, he abandons and smites with greater blindness.

 

• Gnostic Animal – Established by their works, and by mere faith (They don’t have perfect Knowledge)

 

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• Calvin’s Condemed - Those through the external preaching of the word, invites all men alike, even those for whom he designs the call to be a savor of death, and the ground of a severer condemnation.

 

• Gnostic Material – Must of necessity perish (incapable of receiving any afflatus of incorruption)

 

In the chart below we have a flow chart that provides the process for which men attain to either eternal life or eternal destruction.

 

Note: We can now compare this with the Gnostic Flow and see the similarities