Posts Tagged ‘John Calvin’
John Chrysostom on Repentance
“Repentance is a medicine that wipes out sin, a gift given from heaven, a wondrous power, a grace surpassing the might of laws.”* _________ * John Chrysostom in John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (ed. John T. McNeill; trans. Ford Lewis Battles; vol. 1; Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), 622–623.
Read MoreFaith Needs the Word
Tomorrow is Sunday – the Lord’s Day, the Christian sabbath. The Puritans called it the Market Day of the Soul. The Lord calls his beloved congregation to assemble, and places before them treasures from the overflowing storehouse of his grace. Before them he sets a rich feast as the word of God is preached and…
Read MoreIdols of the Heart
John Calvin was right when he pegged the human heart an idol factory. We can manufacture a stream of objects in which we put our trust instead of the true and living God. Matthew Henry shows us just how easy it is to multiply our idols: “Pride makes a god of self, covetousness makes a…
Read MoreCalvin on Wisdom
“This is our wisdom: duly to feel how much our salvation cost the Son of God.” John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeill; trans. Ford Lewis Battles; vol. 1 (Louisville, KY: Westminster Press, 1960), 519.
Read MoreHow Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear! It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away our fear.* I thought of this hymn yesterday while reading Calvin’s Institutes: The name of Jesus is not only light but also food; it is also oil, without which all food of the soul…
Read MoreThe Doctrine of Providence: A Confession of Faith
Before the end of the year, I hope to have reread Calvin’s Institutes. This morning I completed Book 1, which concludes with Calvin’s teaching on God’s providence. To aid me in my readings, I am using David Calhoun’s fine devotional volume on the Institutes. I found these words especially helpful: The doctrine of providence for Calvin…
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