August 27, 2013

Institutes of Christian religion - Calvin - LXIII - Chapter 7 of Book 4

Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 7 of Book 4.

My summary
This week Calvin gives us a history lesson on how the bishop of Rome became the supreme head of the Roman Catholic church.

We learn about:
(i) the various councils that gave authority to Rome;
(ii) the protective power of Rome that Christians sought;
(iii) the influence of civil government on the decision to submit to Rome;
(iv) the dishonest conspiracies to make Rome supreme.

What grabbed me
I must admit this chapter was not particularly enjoyable for me personally.

But I can see how in Calvin's day it would have been read very carefully.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 8 of Book 4.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

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