![]() Through-out the Middle Ages God’s Word had been held at a distance from the common man by the established church, resulting in massive spiritual darkness in the world. When Calvin was a young man in the early 1500s, a significant transition was taking place across Europe. Reading his testimony, it is readily apparent that this doctrine meant a great deal to him. The man who stands out as a forerunner in crystallizing the teaching of illumination is John Calvin. So follow along as we re-trace those who lifted the doctrine of illumination from the pages of Scripture and imprinted it on the hearts and souls of their hearers, beginning with the eminent french theologian John Calvin. Over the next few blog posts, I want to talk about several theologians throughout church history who have investigated and developed this doctrine and shown its powerful ability to illumine the truth of God's Word. It has been said that for one to truly understand Edwards’ apologetics, sermons, and teachings, one must first grasp his understanding of doctrine of illumination. Jonathan Edwards, the great American preacher and theologian from the 18th century, was another man of God whose writings and thoughts were permeated with this doctrine. Puritan writers like John Owen and others were profoundly influenced by the doctrine of illumination, as evidenced by the way it flows in and through their writings and reflections. Understanding the reality and importance of illumination drove the church in the early 16th century to value the expository preaching of men such as Martin Luther, John Calvin and William Tyndale. In particular, what makes this doctrine so significant is how it actually protects the message of the gospel. In reality, men of God throughout church history have recognized the significance of the doctrine of illumination that is so widely found throughout the Word. Others might assume that it's a relatively new doctrine, which then immediately makes it somewhat suspicious. In fact, one may conclude that it's a truth that doesn't find much attention throughout the 66 books of the Bible. Now, for a lot of people, illumination-the truth that conversion and spiritual "sight" comes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit as God opens up our hearts to understand His word and the truth of the gospel-that doctrine is most likely pretty obscure. ![]() The last time I wrote, I introduced the concept of illumination as it relates to the ministry of God's Word.
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