Tracts and Letters (Volume 2) by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here). Conclude the Catechism of the Church of Geneva.
This week we conclude Calvin's catechism.
Firstly we read his section on prayer which deals with some preliminary matters on prayer and then examines the Lord's prayer.
Then we read a brief section on the importance of the Word of God in governing our worship.
And to finish we read an overview of Calvin's teaching on the sacraments, particularly the two that he holds as legitimate: baptism and the Lord's supper.
What grabbed me
And so I was pleased to see Calvin's treatment of it:
'M. But why do you pray God not to lead you into temptation, which seems to be the proper act of Satan, not of God?
S. As God defends believers by his protection, that they may neither be oppressed by the wiles of Satan, nor overcome by sin, so those whom he means to punish he not only leaves destitute of his grace, but also delivers to the tyranny of Satan, strikes with blindness, and gives over to a reprobate mind, so that they are completely enslaved to sin and exposed to all the assaults of temptation.'
It is not as though God tempts us (James 1:13), but he can certainly protect us from walking into the tempter's path.
Next week's reading
Read Chapters II (Forms of prayer), III (Form of administering the sacraments) and IV (Visitation of the sick).
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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