by John Calvin
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Abridged and Made Easy to Read
In The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, John Calvin confronts the complex question of human freedom under sin and divine sovereignty in salvation. Originally written in response to Albertus Pighius, a Catholic theologian advocating for human free will in salvation, Calvin’s arguments present a robust and biblically grounded view of humanity’s moral inability. This edition has been abridged and carefully simplified to bring Calvin’s timeless insights to modern readers, omitting dense language and complex references while preserving the essence of Calvin’s thought.
This work is a compelling call to recognize humanity’s deep need for God’s grace. Calvin demonstrates that the human will, corrupted by sin, cannot incline itself toward God or do true good without divine intervention. By addressing notions like “necessity versus coercion,” Calvin clarifies that while human actions are voluntary, they are nonetheless bound by a sinful nature that inevitably turns away from God without the Holy Spirit’s transforming power.
At the heart of this book is Calvin’s message of hope: salvation and the ability to live rightly are not achieved by human effort but are gifts from God’s mercy and love. Calvin’s conviction that divine grace alone frees the enslaved will makes this book an encouragement to believers and a challenge to those who see salvation as human-centered. As readers journey through Calvin’s reflections, they are invited to discover, as Calvin did, that true freedom and faith flow from dependence on God’s sovereign grace.
This accessible edition will guide both new and seasoned readers into a deeper understanding of salvation, humility, and the richness of God’s mercy, while staying true to Calvin’s original intent and theological depth.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
On Book One (Of Pighius)
-- Calvin’s Response to Pighius’s Use of His Work
Calvin’s Response to Pighius On Book Two [of Pighius]
Calvin's Response to Pighius On Book Three [of Pighius]
Calvin's Response to Pighius On Book Four [of Pighius]
Calvin's Response to Pighius On Book Five [of Pighius]
Calvin's Response to Pighius On Book Six [of Pighius]
Key Quotes