Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Refutation of the Objections Commonly Put Forward in Defense of Free Will

Calvin's refutation of free will centers on the belief that humanity, due to the Fall, is inherently sinful and incapable of choosing good or turning to God without divine grace. He argues that the will is bound by sin, making truly free choice impossible.Calvin addresses the objection that necessary sin is not sin and voluntary implies avoidable by asserting that the necessity to sin stems from the corruption of human nature after Adam's fall, for which humans are justly guilty. He distinguishes between voluntary actions, which humans still perform according to their desires, and free will, the ability to choose otherwise.Regarding the argument that reward and punishment lose meaning without free will, Calvin contends that punishment is just because the guilt of sin originates from us through voluntary desire. Rewards, however, are not based on human merit but on God's graciousness, who crowns his own gifts in believers.To the claim that all would be either all good or all bad without free will, Calvin explains that God's election and mercy distinguish individuals. While all are depraved, God chooses to heal some, while others remain in their sin according to his righteous judgment.Calvin addresses the argument that exhortations are meaningless without free will by stating that they serve to teach duty, reveal our inability, and drive us to prayer. For believers, the Spirit uses exhortations to cultivate good desires, while for the ungodly, they serve as a testimony against them.Calvin interprets God's law and biblical commands not as measures of our inherent ability but as revelations of our duty and our need for God's grace. Promises in Scripture spur believers to seek God's grace, and reproofs highlight humanity's perverse will. He reinterprets passages often used to support free will, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the necessity of his grace in all aspects of salvation. Ultimately, Calvin asserts that divine grace is the sole source of true merit and the necessary foundation for any good humans can do.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed