Calvinism Quote by Henry R. Van Til
““Due to their deep conviction of the sovereignty of God, the Word of God was taken very seriously by Calvinists. It became the unconditional norm for faith and life to the believer. The Divine injunction not to add or take away has been scrupulously observed by Calvinism. Thus, a Calvinistic ethic was developed with its high theism. Because God was held to be the absolute sovereign for man's life, it became simply a question of determining the will of God from His Word. Calvinistic ethics is not a system of opinion, but an attempt to make the will of God as revealed in the Bible the authoritative guide for social as well as personal direction.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Calvinism: A Study in Doctrine, 1975
Calvinist belief in God’s absolute sovereignty makes Scripture the sole authority for personal and societal ethics.
In simple terms: God’s rule makes the Bible the ultimate guide for life.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with biblical teaching.
Themes
theology
authority
ethics
sovereignty
Mood
serious
inquisitive
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- public policy
- personal decision‑making
- education
- counseling
Key Concepts
reformation
doctrine
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view handle moral dilemmas?
- Can secular ethics coexist with this belief?
A Different Perspective
May overlook human agency and cultural context.
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