Calvins theologisches Leitmotiv "cognitio Dei et nostri" in der Institutio von 1536

Authors

  • W. H. Neuser Ostbevern, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38140/at.v0i5.2014

Abstract

The first sentence and fundamental notion of Calvin’s 1536 Institutes „cognitio Dei et nostri“ has, except for Gerhard Ebeling, not been a key feature investigation. Ebeling though, being Lutheran himself, interpreted this sentence in a Lutheran way. However, the summa sacrae doctrinae of which Calvin speaks in this context is a well defined doctrinal structure. Calvin thinks in gradual terms: The part De Deo includes statements about God in general and the part on cognitio nostri includes statements about man and God in particular. Calvin teaches a process of acknowledgement and knowledge: Creation, Fall of man, Law and Gospel follow one another; the Law also incorporates salvation. Calvin thinks in a pastoral way; knowledge of God and of ourselves (i.e. not self-knowledge nor knowledge of man) functions always in an alternating dynamic manner: God — we — God etc. This means that Calvin reflects on God and man in terms of a relationship, in which man is always addressed personally.

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Published

2004-01-30

Issue

Section

Articles