Calvinism

I have promised in this blog to explain what it means to say I am a Calvinist. A little history may be in order-
Jean Calvin (1509-1564) has been characterized as "possibly the most important Protestant theologian of all time" (Jonathan Hill, The History of Christian Thought [Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2003], 194), and "the father of the Reformed tradition" (Dillenberger and Welch, Protestant Christianity [New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1954], f.n p.26). Much more could be said about Calvin, but this is not the time and space for that discussion.
What is pertinent is to acknowledge that unlike other writers and reformers, Calvin's writings have carried on for hundreds of years- and are still eagerly read and studied today. While an imperfect human being, his insight into the truth of God's Word is worth studying. His most significant book, The Institutes, is a massive writing, about as long as the Old Testament plus the four gospels. His commentaries on various books of the Bible are still published and read. Even though he is regarded as a theologian, none of his writings are really a systematic theology. But since the 1554 edition of the Institutes was published, others- most notably in the 20th century-Karl Barth- have sought to synthesize Calvin's understanding of the nature of God, the nature of God's creation, the nature of salvation, and the implications of what it means to be a Christ follower.
So, to identify myself as a Calvinist means at least this: his understanding of these basic doctrines seem to me to be those that adhere most closely to the Word of God. One last thought- being a Calvinist is not an endorsement of all that Jean Calvin said or did, but it is a helpful description of the basic framework of what I understand God's Word to say.
Much more later...