A Boomer in the Pew

John Calvin - The Soul = Understanding + Will

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.15.3-8

<-----Light bulb (in photograph) represents Understanding, with reason its tool.

<-----Gears (in photograph) represent Will, with choice its tool.

Calvin continues, in his instruction regarding the soul, once again, with something that I have never really given much thought to.

That is, when the the Bible speaks of us, created in God's image, it is not, most specifically, speaking of our bodies:  "Also, a reliable proof of this matter may be gathered from the fact that man was created in God's image [Gen. 1:27]. For although God's glory shines forth in the outer man, yet there is no doubt that the proper seat of his image is in the soul. I do not deny, indeed, that our outward form, in so far as it distinguishes and separates us from brute animals, at the same time more closely joins us to God. And if anyone wishes to include under "image of God" the fact that, "while all other living things being bent over look earthward, man has been given a face uplifted, bidden to gaze heavenward and to raise his countenance to the stars," I shall not contend too strongly-provided it be regarded as a settled principle that the image of God, which is seen or glows in these outward marks, is spiritual."

Our Soul is kind of like that little green dude in the movie "Men in Black"

Yesterday, I wrote a post detailing Calvin's instruction that man consists of two parts:  body & soul.  If you have been a reader of this blog, for any period of time, you will understand that I am a very visual person.  Generally speaking, there will never be a post, without a visual of some sort.

I was frustrated, yesterday, because I couldn't find the photograph that I wanted, to give us a visualization of  "man" consisting of body and soul. 

Well...I found it!

This is a photograph from the 1997 movie, Men in Black. 

As you can see, "man",  here represented by the mechanical robot, is being driven by a little green dude.

Now go with me a little bit here. 

Is this not a fairly decent representation of what Calvin is telling us?  Our essence is not the physical body, but that which lives inside the physical body.

In other words, our soul, is not unlike this little green dude, who resides inside the body, makes all the decisions for the body, and tells the body where to go, and what to do.

Please understand, I am not saying that we all have little green men living inside our heads.  That type of statement might qualify me for the loony bin.

I do, however, find this image somewhat helpful, in that it cements the concept fairly well.

The other thing to be careful of here, is that our souls are a reflection of God.  This little green dude in no way represents holy God.  The only way that this photograph is helpful is to get us to begin thinking that we are indeed two parts, AND, the most important part is inside...our souls.

What do you think?  Do see what I am getting at?

Did you know that through the essence of your Soul, you are Immortal?

"A Soul Brought to Heaven", 1878, by William-Adlophe Bouguereau.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.15.2

In this section, Calvin continues his instruction on the created being, called man, and enjoins us to understand that man consists of two parts:  body and soul.

Furthermore, Calvin wants us to understand that the body is temporal, yet the soul is immortal:

"Furthermore, that man consists of a soul and a body ought to be beyond controversy. Now I understand by the term "soul" an immortal yet created essence, which is his nobler part."

To be honest, I have never really given thought to the idea, until recently, that my soul, my created essence, is immortal.  It pretty wild, if you force upon yourself to give that some meditation.

Calvin goes on to say that sometimes, the words soul, and spirit are interchanged:

"Sometimes it is called "spirit." For even when these terms are joined together, they differ from one another in meaning; yet when the word "spirit" is used by itself, it means the same thing as soul; as when Solomon, speaking of death, says that then "the spirit returns to God who gave it" [Eccl. 12:7]. And when Christ commended his spirit to the Father [Luke 23:46] and Stephen his to Christ [Acts 7:59] they meant only that when the soul is freed from the prison house of the body, God is its perpetual guardian. Some imagine the soul to be called "spirit" for the reason that it is breath, or a force divinely infused into bodies, but that it nevertheless is without essence; both the thing itself and all Scripture show them to be stupidly blundering in this opinion."

Contemplating Man, in the Garden of Eden, Before the Fall

"Garden of Eden", c 1612, by Jan the Elder Brueghel.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.15.1

Calvin, in his study of creation, now moves to God's most glorious creation:  man. 

He goes on to say that it is important that we understand God's creation of man from both sides of the Fall:  "We must now speak of the creation of man: not only because among all God's works here is the noblest and most remarkable example of his justice, wisdom, and goodness; but because, as we said at the beginning, we cannot have a clear and complete knowledge of God unless it is accompanied by a corresponding knowledge of ourselves. This knowledge of ourselves is twofold: namely, to know what we were like when we were first created and what our condition became after the fall of Adam. While it would be of little benefit to understand our creation unless we recognized in this sad ruin what our nature in its corruption and deformity is like, we shall nevertheless be content for the moment with the description of our originally upright nature."

Calvin, here, recognizes the fall, but wants us, for now, to be content with our consideration of man prior to that event.  He also desires that we, in thinking of man's original condition, do not in any way attempt to deliver blame to God for this matter.  "Man proceeded spotless from God's hand."

Genesis 2:7 - "then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."

Genesis 2:21-22 - "So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.  And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man."

Genesis 3:8 - "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,..."

God, man, woman, all enjoying each other in God's creative perfection.  Imagine walking in the garden and actually seeing, and talking to God!

Have you ever spent an hour imaging this scene?  What must their lives have been like?  Creation, prior to the fall, was also perfect.  No weeds, all the animals getting along, no sin. 

To be honest, with a fallen mind, it is difficult to comprehend, but I sure enjoy attempting it once in a while.  Particularly, when I am hiking, out in God's creation.

So, what's your story?  Do you believe the testimony of the Bible, or do you believe that your ancestors climbed out of the ooze, eventually turning into monkeys, and then you?

Do Satan and Demons really exist?

"The Rout of the Rebel Angels", c 1807, by William Blake.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.14.13-20

I recently saw a stage production of C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters", in Chicago.  One of the comments made, in Lewis' text, is that Satan is very happy to have us disbelieve in evil spirits, or have a unhealthy interest in them.

In John Calvin's section on creation, he wants us to understand that God also created beings called angels.  Furthermore, within these angels, there exists elect angels, and fallen, reprobate angels (demons).

In this particular section, Calvin turns his attention to those angels who rebelled against almighty God.

Point #1 - Scriptures warns us against this adversary:

"All that Scripture teaches concerning devils aims at arousing us to take precaution against their stratagems and contrivances, and also to make us equip ourselves with those weapons which are strong and powerful enough to vanquish these most powerful foes. For when Satan is called the god [II Cor. 4:4] and prince [John 12:31] of this world, when he is spoken of as a strong armed man [Luke 11:21; cf. Matt. 12:29], the spirit who holds power over the air [Eph. 2:2], a roaring lion [I Peter 5:8], these descriptions serve only to make us more cautious and watchful, and thus more prepared to take up the struggle."

"We have been forewarned that an enemy relentlessly threatens us, an enemy who is the very embodiment of rash boldness, of military prowess, of crafty wiles, of untiring zeal and haste, of every conceivable weapon and of skill in the science of warfare. We must, then, bend our every effort to this goal: that we should not let ourselves be overwhelmed by carelessness or faintheartedness, but on the contrary, with courage rekindled stand our ground in combat. Since this military service ends only at death, let us urge ourselves to perseverance. Indeed, conscious of our weakness and ignorance, let us especially call upon God's help, relying upon him alone in whatever we attempt, since it is he alone who can supply us with counsel and strength, courage and armor."

As you can see, the Scriptures are very clear that these beings exist, and they exist to cause harm. 

Please read on for some shocking truths about Satan, and his fallen angels...

What are Angels, and what is a proper understanding of them?

"Kneeling Angel", c 1470-1480, by the Workshop of Giovanni Antonio Amadeo.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes of Religion:  1.14.3-12

In discussion of the creation, Calvin wants us to understand that angels are also created beings, and desires that we have a proper understanding as such:  "The preeminence of the angelic nature has so overwhelmed the minds of many that they think the angels wronged if, subjected to the authority of the one God, they are, as it were, forced into their own rank. For this reason, divinity was falsely attributed to them."

As Calvin begins to explore the subject of angels, he delivers some sage advice:

"...let us here remember that on the whole subject of religion one rule of modesty and soberness is to be observed, and it is this, in obscure matters not to speak or think, or even long to know, more than the Word of God has delivered. A second rule is, that in reading the Scriptures we should constantly direct our inquiries and meditations to those things which tend to edification, not indulge in curiosity, or in studying things of no use."

Improper understandings of angels has plagued mankind throughout the ages.  The Bible clearly speaks of their existence, however, many dreaming minds take this matter beyond propriety.

Let's explore what Calvin would glean from God's word on the existence of angels...

Did God Create the World in 6 Literal Days, 6,000 Years Ago?

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes:  1.14.1-2

A transition, in the first book of Calvin's treatise, is now upon us.  Calvin now intends to shift from the Creator, to the creation. 

John Calvin is going to spend a good deal of this chapter giving instruction on angels, and demons.

First off, however,  he intends to point out that not only is God clearly evident in the creation, but God specially tells us how he accomplished the creation, so that we won't stray in our thinking:

"Hence God was pleased that a history of the creation should exist—a history on which the faith of the Church might lean without seeking any other God than Him whom Moses sets forth as the Creator and Architect of the world. First, in that history, the period of time is marked so as to enable the faithful to ascend by an unbroken succession of years to the first origin of their race and of all things. This knowledge is of the highest use not only as an antidote to the monstrous fables which anciently prevailed both in Egypt and the other regions of the world, but also as a means of giving a clearer manifestation of the eternity of God as contrasted with the birth of creation, and thereby inspiring us with higher admiration."

Furthermore Calvin wants us to understand that this history is given also as a restraint to our wondering minds:

"In their cupidity they affect to go beyond the world, as if the ample circumference of heaven and earth did not contain objects numerous and resplendent enough to absorb all our senses; as if, in the period of six thousand years, God had not furnished facts enough to exercise our minds in ceaseless meditation. Therefore, let us willingly remain hedged in by those boundaries within which God has been pleased to confine our persons, and, as it were, enclose our minds, so as to prevent them from losing themselves by wandering unrestrained."

Did you also notice that Calvin dropped in his bidding of a "young earth"?

Calvin reminds us of the lament of Isaiah 40:21-22a:  "Do you not know? Do you not hear?  Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?  It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,..."

So, God is, God is one essence, with three persons, God created the world, did it in six days, and the world is somewhere around 6,000 - 10,000 years old.

That previous statement destroys most of the world's "monstrous fiction" as it pertains to God.

Got it?  Agree?  Do you not know?  Do you not hear?

Satan walks about the earth to confuse our understanding of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

"Satan Sowing Seeds", 1882, by Felicien Rops.

Matthew 13:24-30:  Parable of the Weeds.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes:  1.13.21-29

Calvin has now finished his instruction to help us understand the mystery of God, in three Persons (the Trinity), and now turns his attention to Satan's deliberate attacks on this proper understanding:  "Moreover, Satan, in order to tear our faith from its very roots, has always been instigating great battles, partly concerning the divine essence of the Son and the Spirit, partly concerning the distinction of the persons. He has during nearly all ages stirred up ungodly spirits to harry orthodox teachers over this matter and today also is trying to kindle a new fire from the old embers. For these reasons, it is important here to resist the perverse ravings of certain persons. Hitherto it has been my particular intention to lead by the hand those who are teachable, but not to strive hand to hand with the inflexible and the contentious. But now the truth which has been peaceably shown must be maintained against all the calumnies of the wicked. And yet I will exert especial effort to the end that they who lend ready and open ears to God's Word may have a firm standing ground. Here, indeed, if anywhere in the secret mysteries of Scripture, we ought to play the philosopher soberly and with great moderation; let us use great caution that neither our thoughts nor our speech go beyond the limits to which the Word of God itself extends. For how can the human mind measure off the measureless essence of God according to its own little measure, a mind as yet unable to establish for certain the nature of the sun's body, though men's eyes daily gaze upon it? Indeed, how can the mind by its own leading come to search out God's essence when it cannot even get to its own? Let us then willingly leave to God the knowledge of himself. For, as Hilary says, he is the one fit witness to himself, and is not known except through himself. But we shall be "leaving it to him" if we conceive him to be as he reveals himself to us, without inquiring about him elsewhere than from his Word."

Further still is Calvin's great warning and advice:  "And let us not take it into our heads either to seek out God anywhere else than in his Sacred Word, or to think anything about him that is not prompted by his Word, or to speak anything that is not taken from that Word. But if some distinction does exist in the one divinity of Father, Son, and Spirit-something hard to grasp-and occasions to certain minds more difficulty and trouble than is expedient, let it be remembered that men's minds, when they indulge their curiosity, enter into a labyrinth. And so let them yield themselves to be ruled by the heavenly oracles, even though they may fail to capture the height of the mystery."

Calvin's advice is clear, the only place to get a proper understanding of God is through his revealed knowledge of himself contained in the Scriptures.  To step outside of that holy oracle is an infinite labyrinth, with Satan present to confuse and dismay.

Calvin continues, in the next seven sections, to prevail against "heretics with brutish ravings", "monstrous fiction", "certain rascals", and the chicaneries of Satan.

Once again, I think for my purposes here, I will not dive into this ocean of ancient controversy.  Suffice it to say, that Satan walks about the planet to deceive and destroy.  It is imperative that we harness our imaginations, and be content with God's revelation of himself which is displayed in his Scriptures.

Certainly this revelation is enough to melt our minds, why add to the quandary!

Calvin talks about how easily lead astray the uninstructed are.  As I have begun to share my faith, with those around me, I am positively amazed at the numerous inaccuracies I hear regarding the things of faith.  Not that I am found to be an expert, but I do now hold a certain clearer foundation, and find people placing their faith in innumerable gods.

I have found, in the last year or so, an increasing desire to possess a more formalized plan of attack against these "monstrous fictions". 

Do you feel that way?  Do you have a "Kingdom Lead Tracker" where you have identified people that you are going to pour your heart, prayers, and witness into?

Finding a proper understanding of God in Three Persons

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes:  1.13.16-20

In some ways, in contemplating God's nature and character, I find it unfortunate that I grew up with a modicum of catechetic  instruction.

Now understand, my little country Baptist church had no formalized catechism, but nonetheless, I did grow into adulthood with certain beliefs formed from an early age. 

I grew up, as it were, believing that God was in fact three persons, yet one, with no more wonder than the fact that a tree has leaves.  I feel loss in that statement.  It occurs to me, that perhaps the only way to remedy this situation is through prayer and mediation.

Meanwhile, Calvin now endeavors to bring to us a Scriptural understanding of who God is.  Let's explore his instruction...

Is the Holy Spirit in fact God?

"Pentecost", c 1750, by Joseph Ignaz Mildorfer.

This post is part of my year long study of Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion.  To facilitate this course of study, I am following along with Princeton Theological Seminary's  "A Year with the Institutes", which also includes an audio reading of the text.

Calvin's Institutes:  1.13.14-15

In this section, Calvin turns his attention to the Holy Spirit and desires that we understand that the Holy Spirit is, in fact, a divine part of the Holy Trinity.

First, Calvin shows that the Holy Spirit's divinity is demonstrated in his work.  In the very beginning of creation, we find the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters.

Isaiah proclaimed that God has sent him, and his (God's) Spirit.  Further identifying the third person of the Trinity.

But, as Calvin states, the best way to know of the Holy Spirit is from "familiar use":  "But the best confirmation for us, as I have said, will be from familiar use. For what Scripture attributes to him and we ourselves learn by the sure experience of godliness is far removed from the creatures. For it is the Spirit who, everywhere diffused, sustains all things, causes them to grow, and quickens them in heaven and in earth. Because he is circumscribed by no limits, he is excepted from the category of creatures; but in transfusing into all things his energy, and breathing into them essence, life, and movement, he is indeed plainly divine."

Giving further testimony is the Apostle Paul, telling us that the Holy Spirit is God's indwelling Spirit.  The Holy Spirit in the author of regeneration, he involves himself in justification, sanctification, and from him flows the many good gifts that are spoken of in the Bible.

In short, the Scriptures make it abundantly clear, that a third person exits in the holy Godhead, in the person of the Holy Spirit.