Calvin's Doctrine of Biblical Authority

Calvins Doctrine of Biblical Authority offers a profound new approach to a long-debated topic. Istafanous draws upon Calvins twofold structure regarding salvation to illumine the Reformers twofold knowledge of God with particular focus on biblical authority. In doing so Istafanous presents Calvins view of biblical authority framed within modern discussions of inspiration. In the 1539 edition of the Institutes and in all subsequent editions John Calvin presented justification and sanctification as the twofold grace of God. He repeatedly taught this concept in all of his commentaries sermons and other writings. More than any other reformer Calvin used the twofold grace to express the full relationship between justification and sanctification. In the definitive edition of the Institutes (1559) Calvin introduced the concept of the twofold knowledge of God. This framework has been considered by many as the ordering principle of the Institutes and all of Calvins theology. Istafanous argues that the twofold Grace inspired Calvin to introduce the concept of the twofold knowledge in 1559. Thus the twofold grace of God provides the key to understanding the twofold knowledge specifically and Calvins theology generally. This is a book not only for scholars and theologians however but for all preachers and teachers of the Gospel who have missionary and pastoral tasks to fulfill. I believe it will have a particularly valuable contribution to make to the church today in the West as well as in the East for it directs us straight back to the authority of the word of God himself as it sounds to us through the Bible. --from the foreword by Thomas F. Torrance This important book offers helpful and clear exposition of John Calvins doctrine of biblical authority in The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Drawing on insights from the Reformers understanding of the twofold grace of God Istafanous explicates the depth logic of Calvins thought regarding biblical authority. Scholars pastors and students alike will benefit from Istafanouss significant contribution to Calvin scholarship. --Darren Kennedy Professor of Theology Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo Abd-el-Masih Istafanous is Professor of Theology at Evangelical Theological Seminary Cairo Egypt. He is the author of many books in Arabic and many articles in Arabic and English.