Book 2 Chapter 17 Section 1-6 In this short and complicated final chapter of Book 2 Calvin is wrestling with the merit of Christ’s death. In what seems at times theological hair-splitting Calvin is addressing a very specific question that was apparently put to him by Laelius Socinus in 1555. The topic is absent until … Continue reading »
Filed under Book II …
The curse of the cross
Book 2 Chapter 16 Section 1-19 Having spent a good few weeks now meditating on the incarnation, person and offices of Christ, I feel as if that there is enough mystery in these truths to spend the rest of our lives in wonder and study and still never plumb their depths. And yet this is … Continue reading »
The heavenly King and the earthly Church
Book 2 Chapter 15 Section 1-6 Having considered why it was necessary for Christ to become man in order to accomplish our salvation in the previous chapter, we now turn to the role which Christ undertook to achieve that end, namely becoming for us our Prophet, Priest and King. Or to put it another way, after … Continue reading »
Two natures, distinct but united
Book 2 Chapter 14 Section 1-8 In the previous chapter we considered why the incarnation was necessary for the salvation of mankind. But how did this work in practise? How does the Creator inhabit a creature without losing something of either the human or divine natures? Calvin addresses these issues in this chapter and asserts that when … Continue reading »
And the Word became flesh
Book 2 Chapter 13 Section 1-4 Having established that it was necessary for our salvation for Christ to become man in the last chapter, Calvin moves on to argue against those who deny the full humanity of Christ. He argues against the ancient heresies of the Manichees and Marcionites who taught that Christ was “invested … Continue reading »
What if God was one of us?
Book 2 Chapter 12 Section 1-7 “What if God was one of us?” was the provocative question posed by the singer Joan Osborne in 1995. If God became like us, what would He be like and would we want to know Him? Would He be popular or would we even recognise Him if He was sat … Continue reading »
From fading glory to surpassing glory
Book 2 Chapter 11 Section 1-14 During the last few chapters Calvin has been at pains to stress the unity and connection between the Old and New Testaments. However, now he focuses on how they are different. He concludes that the major differences lie principally in the mode of administration between the two covenants rather … Continue reading »
One faith; Two testaments; No prosperity gospel
Book 2 Chapter 10 Section 1-23 We have reached the point where Calvin draws out the similarities between the covenants to show their common elements. The next chapter will look at the differences. The main thrust of his argument is that the main differences can be explained by a different mode of administration, but the reality and … Continue reading »
The shadow and the substance
Book 2 Chapter 9 Section 1-5 This chapter forms an introduction to the subsequent two chapters, which deal with the similarities (Chapter 10) and differences (Chapter 11) between the Old and New Testaments. The main thrust of this short chapter is to demonstrate that although Christ is only fully revealed in the New Testament, he was known to the … Continue reading »
I am not a liar
Book 2 Chapter 8 Section 1-58 As I write this post Lewis Hamilton, the youngest Formula 1 Champion in the history of the sport is having to confess to giving “misleading information” to race stewards following his race last Sunday. Apparently he deliberately withheld information about an illegal move during the race that led to … Continue reading »
