Tracts and Letters (Volume 1) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here). Read 'An admonition, showing the advantages which Christendom might derive from an inventory of relics'.
Today we read a curious tract from Calvin encouraging the formation of a catalogue of the relics of the saints, including those relics associated with:
(i) Jesus (e.g. linen, cross fragments, tableware);
(ii) the Virgin Mary (e.g. hair, milk, clothing);
(iii) the archangel Michael (e.g. weapons);
(iv) John the Baptist (e.g.body parts);
(v) the apostles (e.g. body parts);
(vi) Lazarus;
(vii) Mary Magdalene;
(viii) the soldier who speared Jesus;
(ix) the Magi;
(x) ancient martyrs;
(xi) famous Christians/'saints'.
The reason Calvin wants a catalogue drawn up is to demonstrate the falsity of such relics. A catalogue would demonstrate that many relics cannot be genuine due to:
(i) the multiple claims (e.g. 12 nails for nailing Jesus body);
(ii) history denies their legitimacy.
Calvin was great at exhibiting the absurdity of the claims with statements like this one about the multiple fragments of John the Baptist's skull: 'I only say that John must have been a monster, or that they are impudent impostors in exhibiting so many fragments of his head.'
Or about the sheer quantity of milk that was claimed to be Mary's: 'But had the breasts of the most Holy Virgin yielded a more copious supply than is given by a cow, or had she continued to nurse during her whole lifetime, she scarcely could have furnished the quantity which is exhibited. Again, I would fain know how that milk, which is at present almost everywhere exhibited, was collected, so as to be preserved until our time.'
Classic!
Next week's reading
Commence Volume 2 by reading the 'Translator's preface'.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment