Saturday, January 07, 2006

Calvin and Ephesians 2:8-9 (Ray Strikes Back)


Previously, I discussed God’s gift of faith, Ephesians 2:8-9 and the interpretations of Norman Geisler and C. Gordon Olson of Calvin’s comments of Ephesians 2:8-9:
Did John Calvin Believe Faith is a Gift given From God? To quickly summarize the above link, John Calvin has been in the theological laboratories of some recent anti-Calvinist authors. After twisting, turning, and poking at Calvin’s writings, they’ve reinvented John Calvin to be a non-Calvinist. One of the arguments against Calvinists and John Calvin goes like this:

1. Calvinists believe faith is a gift from God, given only to specific people.
2. Some Calvinists appeal to Ephesians 2:8-9 as proof that faith is a gift from God.
3. John Calvin did not believe Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches faith to be a gift from God.
4. Therefore, those Calvinists who do believe Ephesians 2:8-9 teach faith is a gift from God perpetuate an extreme form of Calvinism, one that Calvin would not affirm.

In the next two links below, a mystery man named Ray critiqued my analysis, and I responded accordingly:
Everybody Loves Raymond.... But Raymond doesn't like Calvin

Calvin on Ephesians 2:8-9 "The Return of Ray"

Ray offered further comments. Ray’s words will be in black, my words will be in blue.
****************

Ray says: Regarding "Dr. Swan," you have my best wishes in achieving it, assuming that it is a goal. One caution, however; I know very few with the degree who weren't just a little "puffed up" and maybe a little too willing to say something when true wisdom would direct otherwise. If the knowledge is used for noble ends, then it's a good thing.

Swan Replies: Of course, knowledge can be used inappropriately. This would be a good point if it were directed toward Dr. Geisler. I consider Dr. Geisler an extremely knowledgeable man. I have over twenty of his books, and they have been useful in my studies. However, in his book Chosen But Free, Dr. Geisler has put forth a work not worthy of the title “Doctor.”

Ray Says: "Your charge that I as well as Geisler and Olson are not reading Calvin carefully bears some scrutiny. I’ve spend considerable time reading Calvin as you suggested. Clearly, Calvin believes faith to be a gift from God. Your point is well made. However, as I’ve said, and indeed as you’ve also said in your original post (to be fair to both Geisler & Olson that they don’t explicitly say Calvin doesn’t believe faith to be the gift of God) both Geisler and Olson are not challenging this fact. Instead, they are addressing the fact that extreme Calvinists use Eph 2:8-9 (among others) to bolster their case that faith is a gift from God."

Swan Replies: I would direct you to page 228 of Gordon Olson’s book, Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism. In his section discussing faith, Olson concludes:

Contemporary Calvinists have gone far beyond Calvin in this area and show a serious lapse into a scholastic deductionism rather than giving preference to direct Scriptural inductive study.”

Now, we could quibble about what Olson means by “far beyond.” But, read his comments almost immediately following this one: Olson notes inductive study proves faith is not “…the immediate, direct gift of God…”

Flip back a few pages to 224-225. Olson heads a section, “Faith comes mediately in human hearts.” Olson says, “…God is never represented in Scripture as striking people with faith as a direct gift…” He then offers a number of proofs. Note the subcategory in this section entitled, “Faith is always ascribed to man, not God.” Note Olson’s use of Calvin on page 225. Here would be an opportunity to show Calvin believed faith was the gift of God. Rather, Olson utilizes Calvin to show that “faith is a means”.

Notice the quote of Calvin’s utilized by Olson. It is from Calvin’s commentary on Ephesians 2:8. Olson is intent on showing faith is something that man has the ability to muster up without it being given by God. He molds Calvin’s quote to say this. Look at the quote and notice the “…” (indicating he left some of Calvin's words out). Gordon Olson left this part out of the quote:

Ought we not then to be silent about free-will, and good intentions, and fancied preparations, and merits, and satisfactions? There is none of these which does not claim a share of praise in the salvation of men; so that the praise of grace would not, as Paul shews, remain undiminished.”

Rather than stating Calvin’s real view of faith as a gift, Olson presents a Calvin that agrees with him. He had to leave this above section from Calvin out, because it interferes with his interpretation of Calvin. Calvin says man brings nothing to God, absolutely nothing.

One needs to evaluate the overall tenor of Geisler and Olson’s presentation of Calvin to appreciate my concerns. I’ve dialoged with a few people who’ve read both books. For a novice reader not familiar with Calvin, it’s fairly easy to come away with a caricatured understanding of his beliefs. With the issue of Calvin’s comments on Ephesians 2:8-9, I actually attended a class in which Geisler and Olson’s books were used as textbooks. The teacher actually said Calvin did not believe that faith was a gift from God, and utilized Geisler and Olson to prove it. Sometimes it not what one says that produces error, it’s what one doesn’t say. Of course Geisler and Olson don’t challenge the fact that Calvin believed faith was a gift from God. This would be ludicrous. What they do instead is leave out this bit of information in order to perpetuate their false distinction of moderate vs. extreme Calvinism.

Ray Says: "I think they [Geisler and Olson] would have a case were it not for the use of “alone” in the sentence “Many persons restrict the word gift to faith alone.” It’s use, however, links Calvin's comments to his broader views and supports your claim that he is not contradicting himself here, but is rather only addressing an aside that appears to have been a problem in his day (as ours also) that some take “gift” to refer only to faith."

Swan Replies: Thank you Ray for this comment. I have maintained all along throughout our dialog that Calvin did not contradict himself on this point. That you finally see my point is refreshing. It’s easy for us to get worked up via internet dialog- we are strangers in different locations sitting behind keyboards- not two guys face to face sipping coffee discussing the issue.

Ray Says: "Speaking of asides, I believe my original complaint about Calvin is somewhat justified. Calvin is hard to understand. In my reading, I came across a similar text in his commentary where he makes what seems to be an unqualified statement that faith is not a gift. It is found in his commentary on John 6:29 and is quoted as follows: “Those who infer from this passage that faith is the gift of God are mistaken; for Christ does not now show what God produces in us, but what he wishes and requires from us.”

Swan Replies: I agree with Calvin. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of any Reformed writer that has put forth John 6:29 to prove the Bible teaches faith is the gift of God. Perhaps such a writer has done so. Even with this passage, Calvin is not contradicting himself. The key words are “not now show.” Indeed, Christ isn’t talking about how God chooses some for salvation by calling and regenerating them unto faith, while leaving others for reprobation. Calvin discusses this later in his comments on John 6:44-

Unless the Father draw him. To come to Christ being here used metaphorically for believing, the Evangelist, in order to carry out the metaphor in the apposite clause, says that those persons are drawn whose understandings God enlightens, and whose hearts he bends and forms to the obedience of Christ. The statement amounts to this, that we ought not to wonder if many refuse to embrace the Gospel; because no man will ever of himself be able to come to Christ, but God must first approach him by his Spirit; and hence it follows that all are not drawn, but that God bestows this grace on those whom he has elected. True, indeed, as to the kind of drawing, it is not violent, so as to compel men by external force; but still it is a powerful impulse of the Holy Spirit, which makes men willing who formerly were unwilling and reluctant. It is a false and profane assertion, therefore, that none are drawn but those who are willing to be drawn, as if man made himself obedient to God by his own efforts; for the willingness with which men follow God is what they already have from himself, who has formed their hearts to obey him.”

Source: Calvin’s Commentary on John 6:44 (The Comprehensive John Calvin Collection (Ages Digital Library, 1998), 226-227.

Ray Says: "Regardless of how clear (or unclear) Calvin expresses himself, the point that both Geisler and Olson are trying to make is simply that the inductive evidence to support extreme Calvinist’s view that faith is a gift is wanting. Perhaps you should focus on this broader issue as well, for if you also believe as Calvin and other extreme Calvinists do, I believe you err."

Swan Replies: I understand the point Geisler and Olson are trying to make. However, (particularly with Olson) to claim that they are the one’s doing correct “inductive” study and in no way doing faulty “deductive” study is simply not the case. There are at least three errors here. The first is pitting inductive study against deductive study. Simply look at their mistaken way they handled Calvin’s comments on Ephesians 2:8-9. They applied an inductive hermeneutic and ignored historical context, and the overall context of Calvin’s theology. Second, Olson may claim his theology is the product of inductive study, but a closer look will show he has deductive paradigms at work as well. Thirdly, to suggest that Calvinists don’t do inductive study is ridiculous.

Ray Says: "By the way, you did misquote me, but it’s not significant now."

Swan Replies: It is significant to me. If I’ve misquoted you I’d like to be shown where. If I have done so, I will promptly and publicly apologize.

Ray Says: "Calvin and I absolutely disagree. I think that, he, you and all those who think faith is a gift are wrong. Scripture simply does not teach it, and all attempts to show the contrary are good examples of eisegesis. This is both Olson's and Geisler's point which apparently you still don't apprehend."

Swan Replies: As I stated previously, Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” You can’t read Olson’s “inductive study” of this verse, because I don’t think he analyzes Hebrews 12:2. You can’t read anything in Chosen But Free on this verse either.

Ray Says: "Your statement, however, that Calvinists cannot be said to be extreme for holding that faith is the gift of God is irrelevant since neither Geisler nor Olson claim that holding that “faith is the gift of God” makes one an extreme Calvinist."

Swan Replies: Again, see Olson’s Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism p.228 (as cited above). Secondly, keep in mind Geisler calls himself a “moderate Calvinist.” On page 182 of Chosen But Free (first edition), Geisler holds “Saving faith is not a special gift of God given to the elect.” He then cites R.C. Sproul as a “defender of extreme Calvinism”. What is it Sproul believes as an extreme Calvinist according to Geisler? That faith is a gift from God.

Ray Says: "Lewis Sperry Chafer held that Eph 2:8 teaches that faith is the gift of God (Systematic Theology, Vol III, pg. 216), and yet he’s far from an extreme Calvinist."

Swan Replies: Well, so did Arminius. He said: “Faith is the effect of God illuminating the mind and sealing the heart, and it is his mere gift”(The Writings of Arminius, I, 384). One must be very careful though to do the deductive work necessary to understand what he means. Arminius believed that God gives sufficient grace to all men to believe if they will. Chafer though would disagree with Arminius. He says,

Saving faith is not a possession of all men but is imparted specifically to those who do believe (Eph 2:8). With any reception of the divine nature through the regenerating work of the Spirit, a new understanding and a new capacity to respond to the authority of Christ are gained."

Source: Lewis Sperry Chafer, “A Voice From The Past: The Terms Of Salvation” Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Volume 1, 49.

Well what does Chafer mean “imparted specifically to those who do believe”? One needs to do the work necessary to understand what Chafer means. He does not mean the same thing John Calvin meant.

Ray Says: "I think you’re side stepping the issue here. In fact, you really haven’t responded to the charges of eisegesis. That’s both Geisler’s and Olson’s point."

Swan replies: In fact, I did. I exegeted Ephesians 2:8-9 previously. I also interpreted Calvin in context on Ephesians 2:8-9. Subsequently, I noted that neither Geisler nor Olson point out that Calvin explicitly held faith was a gift from God, but rather attempt to perpetuate a disharmony between Calvin and modern-day Calvinists by citing his comments selectively. This is not “side-stepping.” This is direct confrontation.

Ray Says: "When Geisler defines extreme Calvinism, he rests the biggest part of his case on “Limited Atonement,” not whether faith is a gift or not although they are related. Since Calvin did not embrace “limited atonement,” Geisler makes the case that Calvin is not a Dortian Calvinist, and I think he makes a good case. Look at the inductive data he provides. Notice how Geisler even enlists the support of John Owen (Chosen But Free, 2nd Edition, pg. 164) in Owen's comments on Heb 9:28."

Swan Replies: I grant that Geisler bases the majority of his claim “Calvin was not a Calvinist” on a misunderstanding of Calvin’s view of the atonement (I have worked through each quote of Calvin’s he utilizes, and I’ve even found one that is bogus. See my link, Did Dr. Geisler Fabricate a Quote from John Calvin? I would appreciate if you could explain to me why Dr. Geisler made up his own quote).

However, you are indeed correct that the gift of faith is related (note on page 164 the heading, “Unbelief is the reason that some do not receive the benefits of Christ’s death”). Here would be a good place to actually state Calvin’s view, since this section is part of Geisler's treatment of Calvin. What about belief? How does one gain the ability to believe according to Calvin?

Ray Says: "I believe the referent is “salvation,” not the whole phrase. It's unlikely we'll ever get a final authoritative answer on it this side of heaven. Interesting, that A. T. Robertson agrees with me. To me the fact that the perfect periphrastic is used is not insignificant. Regardless, this issue is no longer disputed. The grammar unquestionably supports my conclusion. It's support for your position is not as strong, but can't be ruled out. However, I would suggest that to say "that" refers to all that goes into this salvation is theological, not grammatical which makes it vulnerable to eisegesis."

Swan Replies: Our disagreement is primarily theological, not grammatical. “Salvation by grace through faith” is the antecedent of “that”. The entirety of salvation which is “by grace” and “through faith” did not come from the Ephesians. Now, I don’t know you, but I’m speculating you pour a particular meaning into the words grace, faith, and salvation. Biblically, Salvation has a particular meaning. It is the result of God’s grace and is acquired by faith. As Calvin says, “…[N]ay, the whole man, and everything that he can call his own, is set aside.” I’m guessing you would believe that grace is not something we do, and its part of salvation. On the other hand, I’m guessing you would say faith is something we do, and is part of salvation. If this is your position, you are the one at odds with Paul, not I.

Ray Says: "Again, I accept your position. The comment on understanding Calvin’s response to the Roman Catholics is helpful. Thanks. But I disagree with what you call spurious logic. At this point you’re interpreting Calvin, not Eph 2:8-9. To me, the grammar is the only issue. That keeps me from becoming an eisegete."

Swan Replies: Ray is accepting my interpretation of Calvin on Ephesians 2:8-9. His disagreement here is on the meaning of Ephesians 2:8-9. This is significant, in that his initial responses to me were primarily about Calvin’s view. The discussion is shifting, which is fine, but the reader should be aware of what’s happening.

Ray Says: "I think you, Calvin and other extreme Calvinists are eisegeting, and Geisler and Olson have given you lots of inductive data to consider. You should read them carefully. This issue is not insignificant. I read Calvin (painful!)."

Swan Replies: I will continue to evaluate the material of Geisler and Olson in upcoming blogs.

Ray Says: "Yes, but to receive a gift requires a response from the recipient. And if the recipient is other than an automaton, it is meaningful. Otherwise, the only thing God demonstrates with mankind is his omniscience. There’s much more to God than that."

Swan Replies: This was Ray’s response to my usage of Hebrews 12:2. Notice, it is not exegesis. It’s deductive theology. Ray is pouring meaning into the verse without first exegeting it- the same thing he accuses Calvinists of!

Ray Says: "All I can say is that if that’s all you see in this passage, then you are to be pitied. God’s majesty, grace, and the gospel could not be better illustrated. Sadly, not many will see it."

Swan Replies: This was Ray’s response to my interpretation of John 3. “I should be pitied” is not a response that requires a reply.

Ray Says: "I think you got ‘em on a minor point. However, don’t miss the forest for this little twig."

Swan Replies: Oh, I got them all right. In upcoming posts I will take a closer look at the Biblical information concerning the gift of faith. Consider this Ray: earlier you mentioned one should use “caution” before one speaks. The next time you feel like critiquing my historical analysis of Calvin, do some research first. Perhaps we could simply then just discuss the Bible. It would save me a lot of time if I didn’t have to correct multiple errors first.

8 comments:

Ray said...

It's worth looking back and getting our bearings on this discussion, as I sense we may be straying a bit from our initial focus. Parly for my own benefit, I would like to summarize what we've done so far. Hope you don't mind. It may also be useful to others who may be following.

On the 29 November 2005 posting by Mr. Swan, he made a number of unfavorable comments regarding Norman Geisler and C. Gordon Olson in their respective books "Chosen but Free" and "Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism: An Inductive Mediate Theology of Salvation ." I responded with some negative comments on Calvin (particularly regarding the fact that I believe he contradicts himself on important issues) and Reformed theologians in general regarding what I see (and Olson identifies) as a penchant for arriving at theological conclusions that have an insufficient inductive base, viz. "Faith is a gift from God." I noted that I was particularly impressed with Olson's strategy for criticizing Calvinism as a system that arrives at its major doctrines based on a deductive methodology rather that an inductive approach which validates its axioms of truth objectively from clear and unambiguous passages (with contexts) of Scripture. Instead, I believe that Calvinism builds most of its theology using deduction from their "first principals." (e.g., "dead in sin" means that the salvation of man cannot be achieved synergistically. Therefore man, being spiritually dead, cannot exercise saving faith. (Source: Potter's Freedom, Calvary Press, 2000) (This is another topic Swan and I could have fun with.)) Ergo, faith must be given to him as a gracious gift.) Both Olson and I believe that these "first principals" should be first established inductively before they can become legitimate "deductive" tools to support further theological development. Indeed, I believe that virtually all of the tenets of TULIP have gone beyond the inductive baseline establish by Scripture. I cited James White's quote in Swan's article as an example of Reformed deductive methodology.

Mr. Swan focused in on the issue of faith being a gift that both Geisler and Olson reject. Indeed, both Olson and Geisler insist that faith is not a gift and they cited all the primary Scripture texts used by Calvists to show that the conclusion was inconsistent with the data. They both cited Eph 2:8-9 as one of the proof texts used by some Calvinist to establish the Reformed principal that faith is a gift from God and that unregenerate man is not capable of exercising saving faith.

Mr. Swan went on to challenge this by looking at the broader context of Calvin's writings on this topic. He cited various quotations from Calvin that were explicit about Calvin's conviction that faith is a gift from God. He then cited the full text of Calvin's commentary on Eph 2:8-9 to show that in spite of the statement "And here we must advert to a very common error in the interpretation of this passage. Many persons restrict the word gift to faith alone. But Paul is only repeating in other words the former sentiment. His meaning is, not that faith is the gift of God, but that SALVATION is given to us by God, or, that we obtain it by the gift of God." Calvin does believe that faith is a gift from God and that, in fact, Eph 2:8-9 is completely consistent with this. Thus, he concluded that because Olson and Geisler didn't fully apprehend Calvin's commentary on this passage, they drew the wrong conclusion, viz. that Calvin didn't believe Eph 2:8-9 taught faith was a gift.

After reading it carefully, I came to the same conclusion as Mr. Swan. Calvin did not intend to say, nor did he say, that Eph 2:8-9 does not teach that faith is a gift. The part that sounds like it is merely an aside to address a problem where some were interpreting the passage in such a way that the referent to gift was faith only and not salvation by grace through faith. Calvin recognize this was incorrect and called it out as an error. However, because Calvin believed that salvation and all that enables it (including grace and faith) is a gift, he is not saying that this passage does not teach faith to be a gift. In fact, he is affirming faith to be gift since it is included in salvation which is a gift. So kudos to Mr. Swan.

However, this is actually a very small part of the debate and in no way undermines Geisler's and Olson's argument although, no doubt, some Calvinists will view their credibility with suspicion. (Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.) Both Geisler and Olson provided a significant number of passages that inductively support their position that faith is not a gift, but rather a response of man in accepting the gift of salvation being offered in the gospel.

Where I believe our debate should now focus is on the validity of what Olson is claiming, namely that most, if not all of TULIP has no inductive foundation. As such, we should focus on what he has focused on. Since "faith is a gift" is clearly one that Olson says has no inductive foundation in Scripture, and we've already wetted our feet, I would like to pursue this in the near future. Not tonight, however.

Before I get into a systematic review of the argument that faith is the gift of God, I would like to respond to some of your comments in this most recent post. I'll work on that this week.

I'm glad you're continuing with this discussion. I'm learning from it.

Ray

James Swan said...

Hi fm483-

I understand your concern, and share it as well. In some of the Reformed traditions, I see this problem- a morbid emphasis on works to prove one's justification. It can indeed amount to a mixing of justification and sanctification.I have some posts i'd like to do on this- particularly since i've never been a big fan of the Puritan writers (there are some exceptions).

I don't think Calvin is doing this here, but I promise to look into the phrase he's using "obedience of Christ"- Within my own understanding, the sanctifying work of God takes place in our lives till we die. Do I think we get very far? compared to Christ's righteousness, no- we're probably closer to Hitler than Christ in terms of our own righteousness.

I greatly appreciate your comments. I'm gonna try to track down John (aka: Commonman) as well.

James Swan said...

Hi Ray-

It’s taken me a few days to respond to your comments above because I needed some time to sit back, read them, and reflect on them. Overall, I appreciate the charitable tone in your comments. Indeed, there are plenty of related issues to discuss, and these done peacefully.

Throughout our dialog, I’ve attempted to keep the issue focused on John Calvin and his treatment and interpretation put forth by Dr Geisler and Gordon Olson. I did so, simply because the initial writing of mine you responded to focused on this.

If you would like to dialog further, that would be fine.

Ray said...

Jim,

Thanks for the reply. I do want to dialog further, and appreciate very much your willingness to engage. At first, the exchanges were a little rough around the edges, but I now see you as a good source to help me work thru some of these tough issues. You're making me think critically. I'm committed to being objective and also willing to change my position if your arguments prevail.

I work during the week as an engineer so I'm usually exhausted (brain dead) when I get home in the evenings and thus, not too productive during the week.

I would like to continue to explore the issue of "faith is a gift" as it may be revealing of our hermeneutics and their differences.

I'm working on answering some of your last post. Not sure if I'll get something out tonight, but soon.

Ray

Ray said...

Jim,

Here's an interim response to you last post. I'm working on the rest of it. This is really making me think. I'm responding only to your 2nd entry which begins with:

"Swan Replies: I would direct you to page 228 of Gordon Olson’s book, Beyond Calvinism and Arminianism. In his section discussing faith, Olson concludes: ……."

We've already agreed that Olson is misusing Calvin's commentary on Eph 2:8-9. Unfortuately, he's not alone. I think many read it quickly, and with Calvin's help, misinterpret his comments. One must be very familiar with his stance on this issue in order to properly interpret him.

Turning to your comment that Olson is intent on showing that faith is something that man has the ability to muster up, you are correct. However, Calvin is not the only source that Olson is using to support his goal. From my understanding, Calvin's view on Eph 2:8-9 carries little weight in his overall argument. What is important is that one consider his full argument. In that regard, Olson analyzes a number of passages that Calvinists have used in the past to argue that faith is a gift. He maintains that a close look shows that they don't support the idea of faith being a gift except thru eisegesis.

Remember the contex of Eph 2:8-9! God is graciously offering a gift that is to be received by meritless (I'll justify use of this term shortly.) faith. In that sense, man brings nothing to the table. This is natural and normal language that has been used throughout the history of commerce in descriptions of barter and trade. Let me illustrate. If two men are sitting at a table and discussing terms regarding an exchange of goods, and one offers the goods as a gift, a 3rd party observer would certainly not infer that inherent in this gift of goods was the ability of the receiver to believe and accept the goods as part of the gift. Quite the contrary, the receiver of the goods would have to recognize that there's value in what is being offered and that reception of the gift as a gift (no remuneration) is in his best interest. Because many Calvinist argue that faith must be a gift since man is spiritually dead, they impose this on passages (eisegesis) where faith is mentioned as a condition of receiving salvation such as you have done in Eph 2:8-9. Yet the language used in this passage offers no clue that such an inference is valid. Instead, the natural reading of this passage would suggest that salvation is received as a gift in response to the recipient's (man's) belief, and not that God is giving both the faith and the salvation. One of Olson's point is that the inductive data never points to the fact that salvation and the faith response to it are part of the same gift or for that matter two separate gifts. Quite the contrary, the text of Scripture consistently portrays salvation is offered as a gift (God's side) and received by faith on man's side. Interestingly, Scripture never says that faith is a gift directly. Calvinist simply infer it by deduction as Olson maintains. Notice Calvin himself seems to be saying this in his commentary on Eph 2:8-9:

"But then they had obtained this grace by faith. On one side, we must look at God; and, on the other, at man. God declares, that he owes us nothing; so that salvation is not a reward or recompense, but unmixed grace. The next question is, in what way do men receive that salvation which is offered to them by the hand of God? The answer is, by faith; and hence he concludes that nothing connected with it is our own. If, on the part of God, it is grace alone, AND IF WE BRING NOTHING BUT FAITH, which strips us of all commendation, it follows that salvation does not come from us. " (emphasis mine)

Calvin's use of the phrase "…and if we bring nothing but faith" suggests that faith is excluded from his intended meaning of "nothing." That is to say, he is saying we can bring faith and not be violating the principal that man brings nothing to his salvation. This strikes me as being very much in accord with the normal language used in the commerce of the day where, as I illustrated above, you have two parties involved in trade, and a gift is being transacted. One side provides all the value while the other side receives the gift without recompense (ergo, it is meritless in Calvin's sense and mine). Now I realize that Calvin believes faith is a gift so that his quote above appears very awkward unless he's contradicting himself or he changed his mind? Being more conversant with Calvin, do you know if he ever changed his mind on the issue? When did he write his commentary on Eph 2 and when did he write those comments you referenced earlier that showed he believed faith was a gift. I would have to do some research to dig that up. Perhaps you have it at the ready. By the way, at this point in our exhanges, I don't view us as adversarial. At least from my end, I'm trying to keep an open mind and, as I said before, I'll change my mind (repent) if the sum of the arguments point in that direction. I'm simply offering material to consider, indeed, that I must resolve if I'm to embrace Calvinism.

Thinking more about the commercial analog, if Calvin believes that faith is a gift, he must also accept that what's happening here in Eph 2:8-9 is that God first gives us faith (an attitude that certainly will accept the gift when it is later offered) and then later the gift knowing that we'll accept it. What makes this strange is that the presentations in scripture (the inductive evidence) consistently accord with the commercial trade analogy of the day, but the Calvinistic interpretation of it must deviate from the analogy in order to get the correct theology. Hopefully, you can explain this, since I find it inconsistent with normal exegetical practice. To arrive at the Reformed view of faith being a gift, one must bring in a deduced concept or principal that faith is a gift (derived from the statement that man is "dead in sin," et al.) and then alter the natural reading/interpreting of the commercal analog to arrive at a rather awkward phrasing of the fact that God has given us the gift of salvation which includes an attitude that is willing (100% of the time) to receive it.

I'll work on the rest of your response to my last post later in the weekend.

Ray

James Swan said...

Hi Ray-

Thanks for your continued interest. I will be responding to your comments during the week.

James Swan said...

Ray-

If you're still out there- I plan on responding to you this week.

Ray said...

Jim,

I apologize for being absent the last week, but I acquired the local pestilence going around, and coupled with too much unwork (engineering), I haven't been able to do much with the blogs. I have, however, been reading so that my future responses will be better informed.

I noticed your posts on Phil 1:29 and found them interesting. I'll need to do some ruminating, exegeting, and more reading to respond. I will, however, add that when there's more than one way to interpret a passage, all options should be weighed. Olson's arugument on the interpretation of the gifting of belief and suffering have enough merit to warrant a more thorough look. I initial sense is that your assessment hasn't been as thorough as it could be. However, you have made some valid points. Olson's linking to Act 5 & 11 is also valid and appears to offer some interpretive guindance. Bottom line, is that one has to be fair and thorough toward all options before drawing a conclusion. Thus, I need to spend some time with it.

Hopefully, I'll be able to give a thoughtful response soon.

Ray