Monstrous Fictions

Reflections on John Calvin in a Time of Culture War

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Christianity
Cover of the book Monstrous Fictions by Carl J. Rasmussen, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Carl J. Rasmussen ISBN: 9780739193600
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: September 14, 2016
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Carl J. Rasmussen
ISBN: 9780739193600
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: September 14, 2016
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

The Reformer John Calvin has influenced America in a formative way. Calvin remains respected as a theologian to whose work intellectuals on both the right and left appeal. In the nineteen-nineties, Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) formed a politically influential ecumenical coalition to oppose abortion and change the culture. Its ecumenism of the trenches influenced the administration of George W. Bush and continues to influence religious elements in the Tea Party. Evangelicals in the coalition presume to speak for Calvin. This book provides a counter argument.

Calvin rejects the ethics advocated by ECT, an ethics of individual virtue, conscience and natural right. Instead, he affirms an ethics of obedience to the authority of secular government as an institution with a divinely ordained mandate. This work considers the following themes in Calvin:

  • Calvin on Faith. Modern and postmodern philosophical approaches, including Reformed epistemology, do not explain how Calvin understood faith. Faith is divine activity. Belief is human activity. Faith is not a belief system or worldview on which to base a political theology. The author provides four Augustinian theses about Calvin on faith
  • Calvin on Sanctification. Calvin rejected virtue ethics or an ethics of individual conscience. His ethics require self-denial and service. An important requirement of his ethics is obedience to government. The author provides three theses about Calvin on sanctification, as a critique of attempts to revive virtue ethics.
  • Calvin on Natural Law. Calvin’s doctrine of natural law is one of the most vexed issues in Calvin studies. The author provides five theses to clarify Calvin’s doctrine of natural law. For Calvin, secular government transcends the authority of conscience, and Christians in conscience are required to obey it.

In conclusion, the author discusses Karl Barth’s interpretation of Calvin and its relevance for the church struggle against the Third Reich. Based on his analysis of Calvin, he provides a defense of gay marriage and the right to terminate a pregnancy, as well as an analysis of religious freedom. Calvin would reject ECT’s theology of virtue, conscience and natural law. But he would affirm its ecumenism as a possible path out of culture war.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Reformer John Calvin has influenced America in a formative way. Calvin remains respected as a theologian to whose work intellectuals on both the right and left appeal. In the nineteen-nineties, Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) formed a politically influential ecumenical coalition to oppose abortion and change the culture. Its ecumenism of the trenches influenced the administration of George W. Bush and continues to influence religious elements in the Tea Party. Evangelicals in the coalition presume to speak for Calvin. This book provides a counter argument.

Calvin rejects the ethics advocated by ECT, an ethics of individual virtue, conscience and natural right. Instead, he affirms an ethics of obedience to the authority of secular government as an institution with a divinely ordained mandate. This work considers the following themes in Calvin:

In conclusion, the author discusses Karl Barth’s interpretation of Calvin and its relevance for the church struggle against the Third Reich. Based on his analysis of Calvin, he provides a defense of gay marriage and the right to terminate a pregnancy, as well as an analysis of religious freedom. Calvin would reject ECT’s theology of virtue, conscience and natural law. But he would affirm its ecumenism as a possible path out of culture war.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Cosmopolitanism and Tourism by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Peace in Turkey 2023 by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Unsettling Sikh and Muslim Conflict by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Archbishop Romero and Spiritual Leadership in the Modern World by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book George Santayana's Philosophy of Religion by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Representations of the Mother-in-Law in Literature, Film, Drama, and Television by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Power, Law, and Maritime Order in the South China Sea by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Purpose, Practice, and Pedagogy in Rhetorical Criticism by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Mothers of Adult Children by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book The Rolling Stones by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book On the Science of Uncertainty by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Strategies for Success among African-Americans and Afro-Caribbeans by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Stalin's Legacy in Romania by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book The Pedagogy of Pop by Carl J. Rasmussen
Cover of the book Access to Inequality by Carl J. Rasmussen
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy