Sanctification Based on Calvins Theology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sanctification Based on Calvins Theology - Essay Example The first part will try to define morality while the succeeding section will tackle about the different meanings attributed to sanctification, giving emphasis on what is taught by Calvinism. In light of this, the issue that links sanctification with morality will be examined through a discussion on the definition of morality. This paper will conclude with its findings. In the strictest sense, morality refers to "which is innately regarded as right or wrong (Morality 2006)." There isn't a concise meaning associated with morality as it often refers to set of judgments and principles shared by individuals in within the same culture, religion, and philosophical concepts which separates and identifies actions which are right or wrong, acceptable and unacceptable. The concept of morality is often used by groups to regulate the functioning of their circle by setting a specific standard by which their members are subjected. In other words, the concept of morality serves as a regulating factor in maintaining the harmony in a group. We can see a problem of morality given this definition. We can see that morality varies from culture to culture, religion to religion, and sometimes even from individual to individual. Some actions are considered acceptable by a culture, while others see the same action as immoral. Examples of these are abortion, white lie, and euthanasia. Some groups and individuals consider these as permissible while others question the morality of such actions. Calvin's Theology John Calvin is one of the most famous theologian and ecclesiastical statesman. Through his revolutionary beliefs and teachings, he became the major French Protestant Reformer and was dubbed as the "most important figure in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation." His ideas of Christianity are found in his famous work Institutio Christianae Religionis (Institutes of the Christian Religion). John Calvin laid out the foundation of Calvinism which is one of the major factors that influenced the formation of the modern world (John Calvin 2002). One of the most important doctrines contained in Calvin's theology is the doctrine of original sin which is adopted from the Augustinian teachings. This doctrine supports the idea that the whole mankind has fallen before God when Adam and Eve fell prey to the temptation in the Garden of Eden. The sin committed by the first man is denoted as the original sin. At that point, sin entered the heart of men and everyone born on this earth has the original sin. Sin is what separates man from his creator. Therefore, the fall of man in the Garden of Eden makes man a slave of sin and every human being has an inclination to commit sin (The Teachings of John Calvin 2000). Institutes of the Christian Religion states that: When the will is enchained as the slave of sin, it cannot make a movement towards goodness, far less steadily pursue it. (2.3.5) Man alone has no power to save himself from sin. Even though his freewill was not removed from him, he cannot resist the urge to commit sin. However, God's great love and compassion for mankind made a remedy for this situation. Through the Son of God Jesus Christ, man was freed from the burden of sin. Calvin refers to this process as justification. Through this justification, man's original sin is forgiven. John Calvin also put forward that another