RT Article
T1 Reconsidering the Sensus Divinitatis in the Light of the Semen Religionis: John Calvin and Non-Christian Religion
JF European journal of theology
VO 31
IS 2
SP 215
OP 239
A1 McGee, Iain
LA English
PB Amsterdam University Press
YR 2022
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1817405993
AB John Calvin’s references to the sensus divinitatis in the Institutes have been variously understood and applied. This article considers four interpretations of Calvin’s meaning and use of the term and critically evaluates these against his comments on enlightenment by the Logos in the prologue of the Gospel of John, and his thoughts on idolatry and non-Christian religion. In light of the analyses, I propose an alternative interpretation of the usage of the term, namely that Calvin employed it to stand in opposition to and in ongoing tension with the fruit of the semen religionis - namely idolatrous religion. I argue that this particular reading of Calvin’s adoption and adaptation of Stoic terminology has certain advantages over alternative readings, given his opposition to the religious hypocrisy of the Roman Catholic Church of his era.
K1 Johannine Prologue
K1 John Calvin
K1 semen religionis
K1 Sensus Divinitatis
K1 theology of religions
DO 10.5117/EJT2022.2.003.MCGE