The (lack of) reception of Reformational ideas by English Calvinists : a philosophical enquiry

Abstract

This dissertation explores the philosophical reasons behind the lack of a reception of Reformational ideas within the UK. The adoption of a nature--grace ground-motive, in English Calvinist circles, has thwarted the acceptance of a Reformational perspective. This has resulted in positions that are inimical to the Reformational perspective. These include the reluctance to accept a broad view of creation, an over-emphasis on the fall component which meant that creation was regarded as fallen nature, and philosophy was viewed with suspicion - and Christian philosophy, in particular, was regarded as an impossibility. The nature--freedom ground-motive (‗grafted' into the nature-pole of the nature--grace motif) also led to an adoption of objectivism as the Christian position. The Reformational approach was regarded as a threat to that position. English Calvinism was shaped by a number of contrasting ground-motives; a variety of slightly different sub-versions of the nature--grace worldview or ground-motive were adopted. Unfortunately, it can be said that none of these positions is a typically Reformed position. This is the key reason for the lack of acceptance of the Reformational perspective.