Fatalism in Calvin's Institutes

Calvin brings up fatalism and number of times in chapter 17 of his Institutes. It warrants a separate blog entry. Here it is.

1. What is fatalism? The doctrine which purports that all things are subject to fate. “Fatalism views God as nothing more than the workings of natural or unknown impersonal forces which make all things come out in some predetermined way. The Stoic called it Destiny. One scholar explained fate by imagining man as a water-beetle caught in a torrent of water. He may struggle, or he may let himself be swept along in peace simply accepting his doom. If we see God's providence as nothing more than fate, then the best we can hope for is to resign ourselves to the horrors that may lie ahead, and be swept along by blind destiny.” Bob Burridge.

2. Does fate play a role in the events of our life’s well being? No! (Prov 16:9)

3. God providentially watches over His children. [See Ps 55:22; 54:23; 90:1; 91:1, 12; Zech 2:8; Gen 15;1; Jer 1:18; 15:20; Is 49:15, 25; 1 Pet 5:7] These examples “Teach that all men are under his power, whether their minds are to be conciliated, or their malice to be restrained that it may not do harm” (Pg., 219). Other examples are given by Calvin to support and confirm God’s providential dealings. [ see Ex 3:21; 1 Kgs 22:22; 12:10; 2 Sam 17:7,14; Job 1;12; Hos 2:21-22] God wills nothing but what is just and expedient. [see Gen 45:7-8; 50:20; Job 1:21; 2 Sam 16:11; Ps 39:9]

4. Calvin teaches what the Bible teaches when he writes, “When that light of divine providence has once shone upon a godly man, he is then relieved and set free not only from the extreme anxiety and fear that were pressing him before, but from every care. For as he justly dreads fortune, so he fearlessly dares commit himself to God. His solace, I say, is to know that his heavenly Father so holds all things in his power, so rules by his authority and will, so governs by his wisdom, that nothing can befall except he determine it” (Pg., 224). [see Ps 91:3-6; 90:3-6; 118:6; 117:6; 27:1, 3; 26:1; Ps 22:4; 56:4, 11-13]

5. What about this ever changing world? “Whatever changes take place from time to time, they are governed by God” (Pg., 225). [see Is 7:4ff; 46:9ff; Ezek 29:4]