LOL! Well that would be quoted from Calvin's Institutes... Goodness gracious.
Well, you've clearly misunderstood what he said in that very passage you brought up, so maybe you should go through them again. :) But hey, you can use what you want, just... you know... use it well. And that applies regarding the Bible, too...
I think we can use a lot of things for support, GodsGrace, but none of it is ~ or takes the place of ~ inspired Scripture.
Because Calvin himself used the Scriptures extensively to support himself? LOL! And also used the Scriptures to refute Arminius? LOL! No, it's not "difficult" at all... Again, Calvin was a Reformer, and one of the chief tenets of the Reformation was Scripture Alone, Sola Scriptura, meaning having to do with the sufficiency of Scripture as our supreme authority in all spiritual matters, that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture, that Scripture is the highest and supreme authority on any matter on which it speaks.
Rubbish.
And again, here is the text:
The expression of our Savior, “Many are called, but few are chosen,” (Mt. 22:14), is also very improperly interpreted (see Book 3, chap. 2, sec. 11, 12). There will be no ambiguity in it, if we attend to what our former remarks ought to have made clear—viz. that there are two species of calling: for there is an universal call, by which God, through the external preaching of the word, invites all men alike, even those for whom he designs the call to be a savor of death, and the ground of a severer condemnation. Besides this there is a special call which, for the most part, God bestows on believers only, when by the internal illumination of the Spirit he causes the word preached to take deep root in their hearts. Sometimes, however, he communicates it also to those whom he enlightens only for a time, and whom afterwards, in just punishment for their ingratitude, he abandons and smites with greater blindness. Now, our Lord seeing that the gospel was published far and wide, was despised by multitudes, and justly valued by few, describes God under the character of a King, who, preparing a great feast, sends his servants all around to invite a great multitude, but can only obtain the presence of a very few, because almost all allege causes of excuse; at length, in consequence of their refusal, he is obliged to send his servants out into the highways to invite every one they meet. It is perfectly clear, that thus far the parable is to be understood of external calling. He afterwards adds, that God acts the part of a kind entertainer, who goes round his table and affably receives his guests; but still if he finds any one not adorned with the nuptial garment, he will by no means allow him to insult the festivity by his sordid dress. I admit that this branch of the parable is to be understood of those who, by a profession of faith, enter the Church, but are not at all invested with the sanctification of Christ. Such disgraces to his Church, such cankers God will not always tolerate, but will cast them forth as their turpitude deserves. Few, then, out of the great number of called are chosen; the calling, however, not being of that kind which enables believers to judge of their election. The former call is common to the wicked, the latter brings with it the spirit of regeneration, which is the earnest and seal of the future inheritance by which our hearts are sealed unto the day of the Lord (Eph. 1:13, 14). In one word, while hypocrites pretend to piety, just as if they were true worshipers of God, Christ declares that they will ultimately be ejected from the place which they improperly occupy, as it is said in the psalm, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart,” (Psalm 15:1, 2). Again in another passage, “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob,” (Psalm 24:6). And thus the Spirit exhorts believers to patience, and not to murmur because Ishmaelites are mingled with them in the Church since the mask will at length be torn off, and they will be ejected with disgrace.
...as if this is really necessary...
LINK
I challenge you, GodsGrace, what, in what John Calvin writes there, gives you cause to say that per John Calvin himself says or even infers, that "it is impossible for a Calvinist to know for sure that God has chosen him until the end of his life."
Well, good. Me too. And I'm one of those nasty Calvinists. <chuckles>
Everyone is welcome to his opinion. :) You know hey that's free will... LOL!
Just because the Reformation began in the 1500s does not mean the understandings of Scripture championed during the Reformation were first propagated or somehow "began" then... :) We could say the same thing regarding Arminianism... :)
Hmm, well certainly not "all denominations," or even close to that. But, you know, like Paul said two millennia ago, "the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths..." He was right...
Ah, I wouldn't be so sure. But you know that's worth thinking about; we can talk about Christianity in that same context, somewhat. You know, we see article after article about how Christianity is dying and will soon be no more, how young people are leaving the church in droves... Well, I would say there are two things happening:
1.) God is growing His kingdom. New believers are coming to Christ daily, and His Church is growing.
2.) But yes, Christ's Church is losing folks; people are "going out from us, proving they are not of us," even as John said 2000 years ago.
So, I would call it a "shakedown" of sorts... if you understand what I mean. I do think the ratio of born again Christians to those who just profess belief in Christ is... There's a pretty big gap there. How big we cannot know, but I think it's pretty big. But steadily getting narrower, and much narrower than just shortly ago. Yeah, a shakedown. People are showing their true colors, which they themselves might not even have been aware of until recently.
And I would say the same thing ~ in a lesser sense, certainly, but in concept the same ~ with people coming to understand the Scriptures in the ways Augustine, Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Cornelius Van Til and many others even up to the present day did and do. But of course this is surely not to say that those that follow in the footsteps of Pelagius, Arminius, and others even up to the present day were or are "lesser Christians," or "not as saved," or anything so ridiculous.
You know, this is neither here nor there, really, but your moniker... GodsGrace... There's just something really, really ironic about that... I mean, I don't mean to offend, for sure. But still... Ah. Well... Sorry.
Grace and peace to you.
