Calvin's Epistemology

“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

3. knowledge of Self requires knowledge of God

a. man in comparison to God

b. evil vs. good

IV. Conclusion

John Calvin, born in 1509 in Noyon France, played a very significant role in the Protestant Reformation.1 Today Calvin is recognized as one of the most influential persons in the Reformation, aside from Martin Luther. He was born into a family of the Roman Catholic Church in northern Europe, where his father, Gerard, worked for many years in multiple positions in the church, eventually moving into an office under the bishop as his secretary.2 It is no surprise then, that Calvin also became very involved in the church.

Calvin got his education from The University of Paris when he was only fourteen.3 There he studied at the College de Montaigu in the theology department.4 Humanism was a big focus around this time, rather than scholasticism (during the Middle Ages this was the prominent theology of the Catholics). Even though there was a large movement for church reforms, Gerard Calvin...

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...formed Publishing Company, 1986), 255.

11. Kishlansky, Mark, ed. The Western World. (Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing,

2002), 62.

12. McKim, Donald K., ed. The Caimbridge Companion to John Calvin. (Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press, 2004), 85.

13. Ibid., 84.

Works Cited Page

Barth, Karl . The Theology of John Calvin. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995.

Hoffecker, Andrew W., ed. Building a Christian World View. Vol. 1. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1986.

Kishlansky, Mark, ed. The Western World. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2002.

McKim, Donald K., ed. The Caimbridge Companion to John Calvin. Cambridge, N.Y.: Cambridge University Press, 2004.