The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments
Calvin has frequently been labeled “the theologian of the Holy Spirit”. Although there have been a number of studies of various aspects of the Holy Spirit in Calvin’s theology since the significant works of Simon van der Linde (1943) and Werner Krusche (1957), none has dealt with the role the Spiri...
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University of the Free State
2002-01-01
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| Series: | Acta Theologica |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/1584 |
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| author | I. J. Hesselink |
| author_facet | I. J. Hesselink |
| author_sort | I. J. Hesselink |
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Calvin has frequently been labeled “the theologian of the Holy Spirit”. Although there have been a number of studies of various aspects of the Holy Spirit in Calvin’s theology since the significant works of Simon van der Linde (1943) and Werner Krusche (1957), none has dealt with the role the Spirit plays in Calvin’s doctrine of the sacraments. The Word and faith are requisites for any efficacious experience of the sacraments, but “whatever God offers us in the sacraments depends on the secret operation of his Spirit” (Calvin). Baptism signifies the forgiveness of our sins and regeneration, although the beginning of that regeneration may precede or follow the act of baptism. In the Lord’s Supper the Holy Spirit performs two related functions: he unites that which is separated by time and space, viz., the ascended Lord and the believer, and in the action of the sacrament feeds the believer with the flesh and blood of Christ. Thereby Christ is truly present in the Supper. This is a spiritual presence, but it is not something psychological or unreal. In the last analysis, Calvin concedes that this is a mystery which is “too lofty” for his “mind to comprehend”. In any case, he would “rather experience it than understand it”.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9655e2cb4a584bdeab833f114d37b02b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1015-8758 2309-9089 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2002-01-01 |
| publisher | University of the Free State |
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| series | Acta Theologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-9655e2cb4a584bdeab833f114d37b02b2025-02-11T12:36:16ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892002-01-01310.38140/at.v0i3.1584The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacramentsI. J. Hesselink0Western Theological Seminary, United States of America Calvin has frequently been labeled “the theologian of the Holy Spirit”. Although there have been a number of studies of various aspects of the Holy Spirit in Calvin’s theology since the significant works of Simon van der Linde (1943) and Werner Krusche (1957), none has dealt with the role the Spirit plays in Calvin’s doctrine of the sacraments. The Word and faith are requisites for any efficacious experience of the sacraments, but “whatever God offers us in the sacraments depends on the secret operation of his Spirit” (Calvin). Baptism signifies the forgiveness of our sins and regeneration, although the beginning of that regeneration may precede or follow the act of baptism. In the Lord’s Supper the Holy Spirit performs two related functions: he unites that which is separated by time and space, viz., the ascended Lord and the believer, and in the action of the sacrament feeds the believer with the flesh and blood of Christ. Thereby Christ is truly present in the Supper. This is a spiritual presence, but it is not something psychological or unreal. In the last analysis, Calvin concedes that this is a mystery which is “too lofty” for his “mind to comprehend”. In any case, he would “rather experience it than understand it”. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/1584CalvinSacramentsBaptismHoly SpiritCalvynSakramente |
| spellingShingle | I. J. Hesselink The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments Acta Theologica Calvin Sacraments Baptism Holy Spirit Calvyn Sakramente |
| title | The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments |
| title_full | The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments |
| title_fullStr | The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments |
| title_short | The role of the Holy Spirit in Calvin's doctrine of the sacraments |
| title_sort | role of the holy spirit in calvin s doctrine of the sacraments |
| topic | Calvin Sacraments Baptism Holy Spirit Calvyn Sakramente |
| url | https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/1584 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ijhesselink theroleoftheholyspiritincalvinsdoctrineofthesacraments AT ijhesselink roleoftheholyspiritincalvinsdoctrineofthesacraments |