Calvin’s Institutes: Repentance, Pt.2. Life and death

After a couple of days off, my summary of Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion continues. I am on Book 3, chapter 3.


1. To Biblically define repentance, we must distinguish it from faith. Faith and repentance are two different things. They are inseparable yet distinct truths. [Acts 20:21]


2. On the basis of the Hebrew and Greek etymology of the word Calvin defines biblical repentance as “the true turning of our life to God, a turning that arises from a pure and earnest fear of him; and it consists in the mortification of our flesh and of the old man, and in the vivification of the Spirit” (Pg., 587).


Let’s look at this definition point by point.


3. First, the meaning of “turning of our life to God.” By this is meant a transformation, both of the outward life and inward soul. The soul by the gift and power of repentance must be turned to God, first. When the old man is put off and renewed, then the renewed mind, the repentant man will “bring forth the fruits of works in harmony with its renewal” (Pg., 598). [Ezek. 18:31; Deut. 6:5; 10:12; 30:2,6,10; Jer. 24:7; Deut. 10:16; Jer 4]


4. Secondly, the meaning, “turning that arises from a pure and earnest fear of him.” By this is meant that “before the mind of the sinner inclines to repentance, it must be aroused by thinking upon divine judgement” (Pg., 599).
The Bible frequently discusses God’s judgement when sinners are admonished to repent, and the Bible declares God to be the judge. [Jer. 4:4; Acts 17:30-31; Deut. 29:19 ff; 2 Cor. 7:10]

Why? Calvin explains. “For if we were not sharply pricked, the slothfulness of our flesh could not be corrected. Indeed, these prickings would not have sufficed against its dullness and blockishness had God not penetrated more deeply in unsheathing his rods....Therefore, the depravity of our nature compels God to use severity in threatening us” (Pg., 599).


5. Third, the meaning of “mortification of our flesh, vivification of the Spirit.” Both of these are component parts of biblical repentance.
“mortification of our flesh.” By this we simply mean we must continually turn from and deny our remaining sin. Though we are renewed in Jesus Christ, we still struggle with remaining sin. Actually the struggle comes preceisely because of the new birth. [Ps. 36:8,3,27; Isa. 1:16-17; Gal 5]
“vivification of the Spirit.” By this we simply mean we are made alive to turn to God and his righteousness. Calvin writes, “That comes to pass when the Spirit of God so imbues our souls, steeped in his holiness, with both new thoughts and feelings, that they can be rightly considered new” (Pg., 600).


6. The great work of repentance in all its parts happens to us by participation in Christ. The true child of God participates in both his death (mortification) and resurrection (vivification). [Rom. 6:6; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:23,24; Col. 3:10; 2 Cor. 4:4]