Calvin on Epicurus and the Epicureans: Background to a Remark in Article 13 of the Belgic Confession

Following a lengthy explanation of the Reformed doctrine concerning providence, Article 13 of the Belgic Confession concludes with a negative statement: “On this we reject the damnable error of the Epicureans who say that God does not involve himself in anything, and allows all things to go by chance”. This article discusses Calvin’s view on Epicurus and the Epicureans.

Problems with Proof Texts: The Proof Text of Article 11 of the Belgic Confession and Their Implications for the Confession

The sixteenth-century editions of the Belgic Confession were printed with marginal references to Scripture.  It is remarkable that originally only Articles 4-6 of the Belgic Confession did not have any marginal texts.