In Calvin, these two perspectives are still connected with each other, but in Reformed theology they soon split apart, and both developed in a one-sided direction. Under the influence of Socinianism and Remonstrantism, Cartesianism and Amyraldism, there sprang up the neonomian view of the order of salvation, which made the forgiveness of sins and eternal life dependent on faith and obedience, which, in keeping with the new law of the gospel, had to be accomplished by the human agent.

Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation, vol. 4, trans. John Bolt, and John Vriend (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 201.

Post authored by:

• R. Scott Clark

  

  R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.

  More by R. Scott Clark ›