Calvins Epistemology Essay - 1591 Words

â€Å"How is it possible to know anything at all?† John Calvin gives his answer to this timeless question in Chapters 1-3 of his Institutes. His theory of epistemology is based on his belief that humans are naturally aware of God. He also asserts two fundamental knowledges- God and self- and he elaborates upon the relationship between the two. I. Biography of John Calvin A. Birth and childhood B. Schooling and further education C. Early works and accomplishments II. How is it possible to know anything? III. John Calvin A. brief introduction of the Institutes B. Calvin’s theory of epistemology 1. Humans have a natural awareness of God. a. our minds b. nature 2. knowledge of God a. requires holiness b. requires knowledge of self†¦show more content†¦There, he sought more education, and opted to further his intellectual career. Years later in 1536, Institutes of the Christian Religion, was released by Calvin himself in Basel, Switzerland.6 To this day, it remains one of the most important and influential literary works regarding theology. This piece also made Calvin known as a key follower of Protestantism. His theory of epistemology is based on his belief that humans are naturally aware of God. He also asserts two fundamental knowledges- God and self- and he elaborates upon the relationship between the two.7 How is it possible to know anything at all? Theologians and philosophers across the ages have contemplated, debated, and wrote about this timeless question. There have been many proposed theories, and many still exist while others have been modified, or totally abandoned. As Christians, we like to use â€Å"God† as the answer for everything we do not understand, so one might respond, â€Å"God allows us to know things.† Okay, yes, in a sense, because He is absolutely sovereign, so anything at all that ever occurs happens with his permission.8 While this simplistic answer may be enough for theShow MoreRelatedThe Christian s Acts Of Faith2105 Words   |  9 PagesPlantinga has set out the essentials for what has come to be known as Reformed Epistemology; rejecting the notion that as a result of rational thinking, or a rational noetic structure, by natural theology, one can come to the conclusion that God exist. Therefore God’s existence would be bound by the stre ngth of rational thought that can be influenced and criticized by those outside the Christian worldview. Instead Reformed Epistemology makes a case for weak foundationalism; finite mental capacity doesn’tRead More3. The Reformed Understanding Of Faith In Calvin: The Uniting1739 Words   |  7 Pageshearts. In short, union with Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit by persuading us to recognize and acknowledge God’s will both outside and in us and therefore to believe and trust in it. 4. The Augustinian Moments in Calvin’s Understanding of Faith: There are several themes in Calvin’s understanding of faith showing the influences from Augustine apart from his Reformation precursors, including Luther and Melanchthon. First, Calvin famous definition of faith, â€Å"a firm and certain knowledge of God’ benevolenceRead MoreJohn Locke s Influence On His Epistemology1487 Words   |  6 Pagesof 1723 he had added three more notebooks: â€Å"Notes on the Apocalypse,† â€Å"Notes on Scripture† and â€Å"The Mind† (Marsden 59). We can say John Locke was a major force of behind this growth of Jonathan Edwards , but only the Locke s influence on his epistemology, philosophy of language, and philosophical psychology was profound. Edwards was independent thinker although he seized by the Locke’s ideas, Edwards remained restive always wishing to push beyond Locke and wanting more than Locke gave (Simonson