John Calvin's Doctrine of Election

Calvin developed a theory which became known as the Doctrine of Election or the Doctrine of the Living Saints

• His theory revolved around the belief in the uncompromised sovereignty of God: the ability of God to exercise his holy will or supremacy

Calvin argued that, since humanity is totally depraved due to 'the fall' of Adam and Eve, humanity cannot respond in faithful obedience to God

• Moral agents cannot choose for themselves to obey or disobey God because they are too consumed by sin
• Calvin was convinced that all human beings were totally depraved, so that there was no good in a person at all; the human race is without hope in terms of salvation and being godlike

Calvin did not believe…