On Free Will | John Calvin

An episode of the Reformed Thinking podcast, hosted by Edison Wu, titled " On Free Will | John Calvin" was published on April 5, 2026 and runs 38 minutes.

April 5, 2026 ·38m · Reformed Thinking

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Summary

Deep Dive into On Free Will by John CalvinIn his treatise on free will, John Calvin methodically refutes arguments raised by opponents who claim that human beings possess the liberty to choose between good and evil. Calvin asserts that due to the corruption of human nature inherited from Adam, humanity is entirely enslaved to sin. While people sin voluntarily, they do so by necessity because their corrupted nature can only will evil.Calvin addresses the objection that without free will, divine rewards and punishments would be absurd. He counters that punishment is just because humans sin voluntarily, and rewards are not based on human merit but are entirely the gifts of God's grace. Similarly, to the argument that a lack of free will would make all humans equally wicked, Calvin explains that all are indeed utterly depraved, and any difference in perseverance or goodness is due solely to God's divine election and mercy.Opponents also argue that biblical exhortations, warnings, and precepts are meaningless if humans lack the power to obey them. Calvin explains that the purpose of the Law is not to prove human ability, but to reveal human powerlessness and drive people to depend on divine grace. For the wicked, these commands and subsequent upbraidings act as a testament against them, leaving them without excuse for their rebellion. For believers, God uses outward exhortations alongside the inward work of the Holy Spirit to arouse a desire for righteousness and obedience.Finally, Calvin rejects interpretations of scripture that suggest a cooperative effort between God and humans in salvation. He dismisses the allegory that fallen man is merely half-dead, insisting instead that the human mind and heart are entirely alienated from God and completely incapable of desiring good. Ultimately, Calvin concludes that any good will or righteous action in humanity is strictly the work of God's Spirit, leaving no room for human merit.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerSpotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdwhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730

Episode Description

Deep Dive into On Free Will by John Calvin

In his treatise on free will, John Calvin methodically refutes arguments raised by opponents who claim that human beings possess the liberty to choose between good and evil. Calvin asserts that due to the corruption of human nature inherited from Adam, humanity is entirely enslaved to sin. While people sin voluntarily, they do so by necessity because their corrupted nature can only will evil.

Calvin addresses the objection that without free will, divine rewards and punishments would be absurd. He counters that punishment is just because humans sin voluntarily, and rewards are not based on human merit but are entirely the gifts of God's grace. Similarly, to the argument that a lack of free will would make all humans equally wicked, Calvin explains that all are indeed utterly depraved, and any difference in perseverance or goodness is due solely to God's divine election and mercy.

Opponents also argue that biblical exhortations, warnings, and precepts are meaningless if humans lack the power to obey them. Calvin explains that the purpose of the Law is not to prove human ability, but to reveal human powerlessness and drive people to depend on divine grace. For the wicked, these commands and subsequent upbraidings act as a testament against them, leaving them without excuse for their rebellion. For believers, God uses outward exhortations alongside the inward work of the Holy Spirit to arouse a desire for righteousness and obedience.

Finally, Calvin rejects interpretations of scripture that suggest a cooperative effort between God and humans in salvation. He dismisses the allegory that fallen man is merely half-dead, insisting instead that the human mind and heart are entirely alienated from God and completely incapable of desiring good. Ultimately, Calvin concludes that any good will or righteous action in humanity is strictly the work of God's Spirit, leaving no room for human merit.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainer

Spotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdw

https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730