Divinity Compromised - A Study of Divine Accommodation in the Thought of John Calvin

Divine accommodation in John Calvin's thought has yet to receive the attention it deserves. To date it has not been the subject of a monograph-length treatment in any language (this study is the first) and the number of journal articles and book chapters devoted solely to it is small. The present work will, it is hoped, help to fill this lacuna in research on the topic, but additional research is undoubtedly still needed. Its title probably deserves a comment. The use of the word compromised is intended to raise the question of the extent of accommodation's penetration into Calvin's doctrine of God. It aims to suggest the idea that Calvin's thinking on accommodation might possess qualities which push against traditional thinking on the divine attributes. The idea was first suggested by E. David Willis. The present study will aim to expand upon it. This monograph owes much to the efforts of Emeritus Professor of Patristic and Reformed Christianity, David F. Wright, who, as supervisor, colleague and friend, has offered assistance to me on innumerable occasions and has also demonstrated a level of scholarly excellence in his own work that has been enormously instructive and encouraging. Thanks are also due to a host of others. Thanks must be expressed to Professor Tony Lane, who offered very helpful criticisms of two earlier versions of this work and whose kindness has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

List of contents

Divine accommodation in the tradition and calvin.- Human captus.- God's accommodating responses to human captus.- God's reasons for accommodating-images of god in calvin's handling of accommodation.- Accommodation and calvin'ng on the power of god.- The volatility of accommodation.- Concluding reflections.

Summary

Divine accommodation in John Calvin’s thought has yet to receive the attention it deserves. To date it has not been the subject of a monograph-length treatment in any language (this study is the first) and the number of journal articles and book chapters devoted solely to it is small. The present work will, it is hoped, help to fill this lacuna in research on the topic, but additional research is undoubtedly still needed. Its title probably deserves a comment. The use of the word compromised is intended to raise the question of the extent of accommodation’s penetration into Calvin’s doctrine of God. It aims to suggest the idea that Calvin’s thinking on accommodation might possess qualities which push against traditional thinking on the divine attributes. The idea was first suggested by E. David Willis. The present study will aim to expand upon it. This monograph owes much to the efforts of Emeritus Professor of Patristic and Reformed Christianity, David F. Wright, who, as supervisor, colleague and friend, has offered assistance to me on innumerable occasions and has also demonstrated a level of scholarly excellence in his own work that has been enormously instructive and encouraging. Thanks are also due to a host of others. Thanks must be expressed to Professor Tony Lane, who offered very helpful criticisms of two earlier versions of this work and whose kindness has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

Additional text

From the reviews:

"Balserak's study is important because he gives, compared with what was written in the past, a clear image of the multiform importance of God's accommodation for Calvin." (Wulfert de Greef, calvijnstudie.nl)

"Ce livre solide, intelligent, clair est une contribution importante aux études sur Calvin, mais aussi à une réflexion sur la révélation. L'érudition qu'il déploie sans lourdeur rend service à la pensée théologique." (André Gounelle, in Études Théologiques et Réligieuses 2007/4)

"The present study is a revision of the author’s doctoral thesis completed under David F. Wright (University of Edinburgh), and is the first monograph-length treatment of Calvin’s understanding of divine accommodation. … Balserak’s analysis of Calvin’s understanding of accommodation is an important contribution to Calvin studies. … Balserak’s work should prove of value to both students and scholars of Calvin who are seeking a clear and concise presentation of the topic." (John T. Slotemaker, Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol. XXXIX (2), 2008)

Report

From the reviews:
"Balserak's study is important because he gives, compared with what was written in the past, a clear image of the multiform importance of God's accommodation for Calvin." (Wulfert de Greef, calvijnstudie.nl)
"Ce livre solide, intelligent, clair est une contribution importante aux études sur Calvin, mais aussi à une réflexion sur la révélation. L'érudition qu'il déploie sans lourdeur rend service à la pensée théologique." (André Gounelle, in Études Théologiques et Réligieuses 2007/4)
"The present study is a revision of the author's doctoral thesis completed under David F. Wright (University of Edinburgh), and is the first monograph-length treatment of Calvin's understanding of divine accommodation. ... Balserak's analysis of Calvin's understanding of accommodation is an important contribution to Calvin studies. ... Balserak's work should prove of value to both students and scholars of Calvin who are seeking a clear and concise presentation of the topic." (John T. Slotemaker, Sixteenth Century Journal, Vol. XXXIX (2), 2008)

Product details

• Authors: Jon Balserak
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 26.07.2011
• EAN: 9781402050558
• ISBN: 978-1-4020-5055-8
• No. of pages: 214
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 236 mm x 20 mm
• Weight: 498 g
• Illustrations: X, 214 p.
• Series: Studies in Early Modern Religious Reforms; Studies in Early Modern Religious Tradition, Culture and Society; Studies in Early Modern Religious Tradition, Culture and Society; Studies in Early Modern Religious Reforms; Studies in Early Modern Religi
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity