Wilhelm Niesel's Book Entitled the Term Paper

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This once again brings the reader back to the tight framework that Calvin wants the reader to remember. Calvin does not want to voice an opinion as to the state of man's fall from Eden. In other words, he does not want to impose a pessimistic view in an optimistic world of man. The real question posed by Chapter Five is what man is in the presence of God and whether or not man is able to stand before God. Calvin believes such questions can only be answered by God on an individual basis.

The ideas expressed in Chapter Five continue to resonate with Calvin's views of Christ within Us. Chapter Nine establishes again the role of Calvin as he is doing his work for Jesus Christ. Calvin's work suggests the importance of Jesus as a form in the flesh as it pertains to everyone's salvation. This is not meant to elevate us to the higher world but to save us from this one. It is here that Calvin deviates from his usual style and focuses deeply on understanding Christ and His work as part of the Holy Trinity. He created a special section to explore this. At this point, Niesel finds it important to remind the reader that there is no way we can understand all of Calvin's ideas or doctrines but that we can only "investigate the tendency of his teaching as a whole" (120). With this in respect, it is a good idea to forego this section as it may confuse the reader. At the same time Niesel asks his own questions of Christ and the reader must also take this with a grain of salt. On one hand, this questioning may also motivate the reader to explore deeper issues of Christ but to the same token may cause conflict, confusion and difficulty understanding the subject matter.

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In Chapter 10 Niesel reflects upon how Calvin defines man's relationship with God in everyday life. He reflects that never does Calvin really define it himself as justification or sanctification or "flow from communion with Christ" (140) but rather Calvin offers and shows examples of what "texture of our daily lives" can take and what it means to be disciples of Christ (140). It is here that Calvin clearly analyses and explores man's potential relationship and oneness with the Lord. He presents a debate on dogmatics and offers thoughts on ethics for reflection. It is here that one can truly see Calvin's theology and his concern for clearly defining it in a way that people can understand. Still Niesel points out that literature and critics of Calvin usually fail to see the importance of this section of the Institutes. It is only once the reader reaches Chapter Sixteen and the conclusion that the discussion reaches a full circle of reflection. It is cleat here that Calvin's work had one sole purpose, to bring to the light God in the flesh but Niesel sees other purpose as well. It is upon reading that one can truly understand Calvinist attempts to interpret the theology and Reformist point-of-view within the framework established. This can be difficult to undertake as one begins to understand the multi-layers of his doctrine. He has concerns about ethics and laws, teaching the correct Word of God. Still Niesel attempts to make this discussion clear and stick to the true Calvinist framework without over-burdening the reader.

Conclusion

This paper served as a book critique and detailed summary of Wilhelm Niesel's book entitled The Theology of Calvin. This paper explored the doctrines and opinions of the greater reformer and offered a modern view of the works.

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