Institutes of Christian religion - Calvin - VI - Chapters 9, 10 & 11 of Book 1

Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) -  Read Chapters 9, 10 & 11 of Book 1.

My summary
Now that Calvin has established the importance of Scripture, in Chapter Nine he briefly argues against those who reject Scripture by claiming to have received their own special revelation from the Holy Spirit.  Calvin's conclusion about such people is that they 'are to be deemed not so much under the influence of error as madness'.

In Chapter Ten Calvin continues to teach us what we can know about God through Scripture, particularly three of God's attributes: 'Assuredly, the attributes which it is most necessary for us to know are these three: Loving-kindness, on which alone our entire safety depends: Judgment, which is daily exercised on the wicked, and awaits them in a severer form, even for eternal destruction: Righteousness, by which the faithful are preserved, and most benignly cherished.'

Then in Chapter Eleven, Calvin instructs us about the foolishness of using idols in worship of God.  He demonstrates that Scripture forbids idols and then proceeds to condemn such practices, including amongst the Roman Catholic church.

What grabbed me
I liked Calvin's summary of God's attributes to these three: 'Assuredly, the attributes which it is most necessary for us to know are these three: Loving-kindness, on which alone our entire safety depends: Judgment, which is daily exercised on the wicked, and awaits them in a severer form, even for eternal destruction: Righteousness, by which the faithful are preserved, and most benignly cherished. The prophet declares, that when you understand these, you are amply furnished with the means of glorying in God. Nor is there here any omission of his truth, or power, or holiness, or goodness. For how could this knowledge of his loving-kindness, Judgment, and righteousness, exist, if it were not founded on his inviolable truth? How, again, could it be believed that he governs the earth with Judgment and righteousness, without presupposing his mighty power? Whence, too, his loving-kindness, but from his goodness? In fine, if all his ways are loving-kindness, Judgment, and righteousness, his holiness also is thereby conspicuous. Moreover, the knowledge of God, which is set before us in the Scriptures, is designed for the same purpose as that which shines in creation—viz. that we may thereby learn to worship him with perfect integrity of heart and unfeigned obedience, and also to depend entirely on his goodness. '

So true.  If you understand God's loving-kindness, judgement and righteousness, you know enough to give glory to God.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 of Book 1, but Chapter 13 only up to paragraph 14.

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