Election and Epistemology

I was surprised at the end of chapter 7 when election appeared.  Until now Calvin has been dealing primarily with epistemological issues and that is the context in which election appears--to solve an epistemological problem!

This singluar privilege [the knowledge arising from the final quote of my previous post] God bestows on his elect only, whom he separates from the rest of mankind. . . .  God having been pleased to reserve the treasure of intelligence for his children, no wonder that so much ignorance and stupidity is seen in the generality of mankind. In the generality, I include even those specially chosen, until they are ingrafted into the body of the Church. . . .  If at any time, then, we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us, on the other hand, call to mind, that none comprehend the mysteries of God save those to whom it is given.

I just find this appalling.  On so many levels.

For one it is such an awful way to resolve the philosophical issue.  It basically says, if none of my arguments are convicing to you, it is because God hasn't given you the capacity to understand.

Plus, it is morally and theologically objectionable.  The God it imagines is unworthy of worship.  It is not power, majesty, or glory which makes one worthy of worship.  It is character and action.

Comments

[Morgan]

Scott, I'm not a fan myself of any argument that says "Oh, if you don't understand it, then you don't have access to a greater secret wisdom or insight that God has bestowed on me." That's how cults get started (cf. Gnosticism).

Still, when I read this passage from Calvin, I immediately think of I Corinthians 1:18-24, which seems to support Calvin's assertion, and Aquinas's leap of faith, which requires us to say [in a simplistic paraphrase], "I can't prove or explain it rationally, but I know it to be true."

I think Calvin is generally inflammatory in his tone and leads with his chin more than is helpful, but there seems to be some Scriptural basis for his position. Whether or not he should use this knowledge as the fundamental cornerstone of his argument is another discussion, but then we begin to enter into questions of intended audience.