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

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Résumé :
This book is the first monograph devoted to the theme of divine accommodation in the writings of John Calvin to appear in any language. The work offers careful analysis of the topic along several different lines: it analyzes the character of Calvin's thinking on accommodation. It gives an account of the ways in which accommodation expresses itself in his writings. It probes the question of the penetration of accommodation into Calvin's theology and particularly its implications for his doctrine of God. And it compares Calvin's handling of accommodation with that of other exegetes in order to set his thinking in context.

In pursuing these matters, Dr Balserak provides a rigorous consideration of many of the individual places in Calvin's corpus where he discusses accommodation. This enables him to set out a summary of the basic qualities which characterize Calvin's handling of the motif. The addition of chapters on the relationship of Calvin's thought on accommodation to his use of the potentia absoluta/ordinata distinction and on the influence of accommodation on his views on the truth and applicability of Scripture allows this study to examine its topic from different angles. This, coupled with the thoroughness of the author's analysis, results in a work which offers a substantial reassessment of Calvin's thinking on divine accommodation.

Sommaire:
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....