In the introduction to Ford Lewis Battles' translation of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, the role of piety in Calvin's thinking is briefly described. One who takes up Calvin’s masterpiece with the preconception that its author’s mind is a kind of efficient factory turning out and assembling the parts of a neatly jointed …
You may have noticed that Sunday's sermon had significantly less quotations than normal. That is because I ended up going in a different direction with the sermon than I typically do. Rather than focusing upon the centurion, the women, and Joseph in detail, I decided to largely focus on the three together as example of …
Recently, Banner of Truth released the completed three-volume set of John Calvin's sermons on the book of Job. Freshly translated by Rob Roy McGregor, the first two volumes are reprinted from earlier publication and released alongside the newly published third volume. Since Calvin is one of my dearest of study companions as well as a …
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16 ESV Throughout his ministry in Geneva, John Calvin dealt with a group of Libertines who used the grace of Christ …
With our brief walk-through John Calvin's A Little Book on the Christian Life completed, I will continue the pattern that I set after completing Mortification of Sin and Heaven Taken by Storm by listing some of my favorite quotations from throughout the book. Of course, this study I also began to give a quote of …
Continue reading Quotes from A Little Book on the Christian Life
QUOTE OF THE WEEK Consequently, the one who directs himself toward the goal of observing God’s calling will have a life well composed. Free from rash impulses, he won’t attempt more than his calling warrants. He will understand that he shouldn’t overstep his boundaries. He who lives in obscurity will live an ordinary life without …
Continue reading FIVE | How the Present Life and Its Comforts Should Be Used
QUOTE OF THE WEEK When they once have raised their heads above this earth, even though they should see the ungodly decked out in wealth and awards, enjoying the utmost tranquility, flaunting every kind of splendor and luxury, and abounding in every kind of pleasure—even if, moreover, they should be wickedly attacked by the ungodly, …
QUOTE OF THE WEEK If, then, we want to be disciples of Christ, we should make it our aim to soak our minds in the sort of sensitivity and obedience to God that can tame and subdue every natural impulse contrary to His command. So it will be that no matter what kind of cross …
Continue reading THREE | Bearing Our Cross Is a Part of Self-Denial
QUOTE OF THE WEEK If we are not our own but the Lord’s, it’s clear what errors we must flee, and what we must direct our whole lives toward. We are not our own; therefore, neither our reason nor our will should dominate our plans and actions. We are not our own; therefore, let us …
QUOTE OF THE WEEK God has manifested Himself as Father to us. If we do not manifest ourselves as sons to Him in turn, we prove ourselves to be extremely ungrateful (Mal. 1:6; 1 John 3:1). 9 SUMMARY In this chapter, Calvin addresses how Scripture commands Christians to live, which is not intended to be …
B. C. Newton 