---
title: 'William M. Blackburn on a Sixth Point of Calvinism'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2023-01-09
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2023-william-m-blackburn-on-a-sixth-point-of-calvinism
---

# William M. Blackburn on a Sixth Point of Calvinism

“Thus far we have dwelt chiefly upon Calvin’s love for union in catholic truth, in brotherly love, in Christ, in the sacraments, in a general inorganic league against error, and in fraternal bonds with the leading men of the reformation. This tells powerfully on behalf of the tone of his mind, the temper of his nature, the deep and wide-reaching affections of his heart. He loved the Church — loved it as the whole family of God. Ever seeking closer union, if he could not secure one which was ecclesiastical, he sought the best that the circumstances would permit. And who would put the spiritual below the organic? Not a churchman, but a *Christ*-*man*, he exerted himself to bring the people of God into a recognition of their unity, having ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism.’ It was characteristic of him. It ought to be added as a sixth ‘point’ of Calvinism.” — [William M. Blackburn](/authors/william-maxwell-blackburn), *Calvin’s Love of Christian Union* (1868), pp. 248-249