The Institutes Book 1, Chapter 1

The Institutes of the Christian Religion ^ | 1500's | John Calvin

[ksen]

...Calvin would not focus on the nature of man.

Well, Calvin does say that the natures of God and Man are mutually connected.

[Jean Chauvin]

It's been a while since I've studied the Institutes, but you've hit on something here.

Woody is correct. Book I deals with the understanding of God. Who is he. What are his attributes. How does he relate to creation.

The proper understanding of God is fundamental to proper theology.

The issue that the natures of Man and God are mutually connected (I have yet to read the article you posted) is speaking to the knowledge of Man and the knowledge of God.

Calvin argues that the true knowledge of God will bring us to true knowlege of Man. When we understand really who God is, this will bring us full circle to the correct understanding of who Man is. (This is NOT to say that man is God -I can see some arminians attempting to twist these words to say that very thing)

Calvin also goes on to say that the true knowledge of Man will bring us to a correct knowlege of God. But, according to Calvin, Man, in his sinful and depraved nature (post fall), cannot correctly understand himself. Calvin's contention of a true knowlege of Man is in the context of a perfect sinless man (pre-fall) and his understanding of himself.

Calvin goes on to argue that becuase of the fall, it is not possible for man to look inward and gain a true insight into God. He sees God, as is evidenced by the fact that all men profess a belief in something (even if they profess a belief that there is nothing), but he cannot come to a proper understanding of the true knowledge of God. Thus the need for special revelation in order to bring us the proper understanding of the true knowledge of God.

I hope that helps. I ~am~ going by memory from my Calvin's Institutes class over 12 years ago.

Jean

[ksen]

He sees God, as is evidenced by the fact that all men profess a belief in something (even if they profess a belief that there is nothing), but he cannot come to a proper understanding of the true knowledge of God.

This could help explain all the different religions in the world. God has made Man in such a way that Man has an innate sense that God exists. But due to our sin nature our picture of God becomes perverted and in our attempt to worship this twisted view of God we get all sorts of false religions from animism to voodooism and everything in between.

[Jean Chauvin]

"This could help explain all the different religions in the world. God has made Man in such a way that Man has an innate sense that God exists. But due to our sin nature our picture of God becomes perverted and in our attempt to worship this twisted view of God we get all sorts of false religions from animism to voodooism and everything in between."

Yup! Basic Calvinism 101

Reading on in Book I of the Institutes you will find:

CHAPTER 3.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD NATURALLY IMPLANTED IN THE HUMAN MIND.

Sections.

• 1. The knowledge of God being manifested to all makes the reprobate without excuse. Universal belief and acknowledgement of the existence of God.

• 2. Objection--that religion and the belief of a Deity are the inventions of crafty politicians. Refutation of the objection. This universal belief confirmed by the examples of wicked men and Atheists.

• 3. Confirmed also by the vain endeavours of the wicked to banish all fear of God from their minds. Conclusion, that the knowledge of God is naturally implanted in the human mind.

CHAPTER 4.

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD STIFLED OR CORRUPTED, IGNORANTLY OR MALICIOUSLY.

Sections.

• 1. The knowledge of God suppressed by ignorance, many falling away into superstition. Such persons, however, inexcusable, because their error is accompanied with pride and stubbornness.

• 2. Stubbornness the companion of impiety.

• 3. No pretext can justify superstition. This proved, first, from reason; and, secondly, from Scripture.

• 4. The wicked never willingly come into the presence of God. Hence their hypocrisy. Hence, too, their sense of Deity leads to no good result.

CHAPTER 6.

THE NEED OF SCRIPTURE, AS A GUIDE AND TEACHER, IN COMING TO GOD AS A CREATOR.

Sections.

• 1. God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himself--viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first.

• 2. First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing.

• 3. This view confirmed, 1. By the depravity of our nature making it necessary in every one who would know God to have recourse to the word; 2. From those passages of the Psalms in which God is introduced as reigning.

• 4. Another confirmation from certain direct statements in the Psalms. Lastly, From the words of our Saviour.

If your getting your Institutes on-line, I recommend actually buying the books. It's much easier to cross reference and index when you have the actual book in front of you.

Jean

[ksen]

If your getting your Institutes on-line, I recommend actually buying the books. It's much easier to cross reference and index when you have the actual book in front of you.

Unfortunately online is all I can do right now. Besides, it is much easier to cut-and-paste the chapters over here instead of having to type them in. ;^)

[ksen]

Ok, so far in chapter 1 we have:

1) Man can only know God by knowing himself;
2) Man can only know himself by knowing God;
3) Sin hinders Man from truly knowing God, and thus from truly knowing himself.

Does all that sound fair?

Now, the question is, does our sin nature COMPLETELY stop us from coming to know God, or does it merely HINDER us?

[RnMomof7]

Ksen has asked for a serious discussion of the Institutes for a class he is going to take..There is alot of serious brain power here on FR ..can we look at it together and see what Calvin really wrote and in the process help Ksen write a paper and get an A..as well as

Thanks to all scholars

[RnMomof7]

They are on sale at CBD for $99 I think (they were right after christmas)

[ksen]

Yeah, I saw in our latest CBD catalog an offer for all of Calvin's commentaries for $99. That's still pretty steep for me right now.

[Wrigley]

If you ebay, look here.

Both books right now for $19.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2907097262&category=12571

[Jean Chauvin]

I would probably drop the "only".

Calvin does not say that one can "only" know God by himself.

Likewise, Calvin does not say that one can "only" know himself by knowing God.

He simply says that true knowledge of God will lead one to true knowledge of himself and that true knowledge of himself will lead him to true knowledge of God.

Jean

[Jean Chauvin]

Calvin's Commentaries are distinct and different from his Institutes. The Institutes are not that expensive as Wrigley has already pointed out. Most come in a two book set. I think I've also seen the entire Institutes in one book.

The Commentaries were written as an exhaustive exegesis of the text. The Institutes were written as a summary of Christian Doctrine which brings applicable texts into the wording.

The Institutes were originally written to the King of France to convince him of the Reformed faith such that he would put an end to the persecution of those in France (Calvin's homeland) who professed to the Reformed faith.

When the Institutes became popular (i.e. became MORE than a letter to the King of France), they went through several editions as Calvin's thought evovled. The final edition was in 1558, I think.

Jean

[Revelation 911]

Well, not having ever read the Institutes (or much Augustine)

I have the worst case of deja vu all over again LOL

[rwfromkansas]

What does HHD mean?

[rwfromkansas]

I do not think so. Even Calvinists don't always use language like "God led us to himself" etc.

Sometimes even Calvinists say "we have got to turn to Christ and see our own sin." It doesn't mean we have abandoned our deeper beliefs about HOW this occurs simply by appealing to humans to turn to Christ.

I don't have a problem with Scripture saying "Choose this day..." because I have a deeper understanding of HOW I choose....and it really in the deeper sense is God choosing me.

Thus, Calvin's language does not mean he believes we can choose God by ourselves.

[ksen]

What does HHD mean?

Hobbit Hole Dweller. ;^)

[RnMomof7]

On the other hand, it is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he have previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself. For (such is our innate pride) we always seem to ourselves just, and upright, and wise, and holy, until we are convinced, by clear evidence, of our injustice, vileness, folly, and impurity

ksen I have just finished reading this and the above quote hit me

I am reminded of two things one that unless man sees himself not in relation to other men .but in relation to the HOLY God ..He will never appreciate God's mercy

The second comes from a book I am reading ..the author says men have Mercy confused with Justice..

[RnMomof7]

Ksen Calvin was a holy man and a genius. I believe he wrote the Institutes in his 20's..

He was not the extremist.  that some like to paint him . He was a thoughtful scholar...I agree with Steve ..put Hunt down and let Calvin show you himself

You can always read Hunt later to see if your impression was the same as his

[RnMomof7]

This could help explain all the different religions in the world. God has made Man in such a way that Man has an innate sense that God exists. But due to our sin nature our picture of God becomes perverted and in our attempt to worship this twisted view of God we get all sorts of false religions from animism to voodooism and everything in between.

I believe that men will always seek a god that reflects them and their needs...

If you look around you can see the promise of Satan in Genesis fulfilled ..You shall be gods..that was a part of the fall IMHO

[RnMomof7]

Woops I knew that the commentaries and Institutes are different I hade a senior moment..because I covet the commentaries.