A Word for the World

July 10, 2009

Reading: A Word for the World
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Paul Hartog (PhD, Loyola University, Chicago) has written a brief academic study that explores John Calvin’s view on the extent of the atonement. This is available for a limited time as a free download (a 72-page electronic book in PDF format).

Hartog’s conclusion: While one may not agree with all that Calvin says (nor Amyraut nor Luther), one must at least appreciate Calvin’s attempt to come to terms with difficult issues embedded within the Scriptural texts. Ultimately Calvin’s attempts drive us back to the Bible itself. It is at the bar of Scripture that all theology must be judged. “The question is not, ‘What did the reformers believe and teach?’ . . . nor even, ‘What is the historical view of the church?’ as important and helpful as these matters are; but the crux of the matter is, ‘What saith the Scriptures?’”

Hartog has also written a briefer article for the July/Aug 2009 Baptist Bulletin, “Calvin: Still Making Points with Baptists.”

Paul Hartog is an associate professor at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary (Ankeny, Iowa). He has earned MA and MDiv degrees in theological studies (Faith), an MA in history (Iowa State University), a ThM in Ethics (St. Andrew’s Theological College), and a PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity (PhD, Loyola University, Chicago). He has also ministered as an assistant pastor in Baptist churches in Slater, Iowa; Romeoville, Ill.; and Grimes, Iowa.