Institutes of Christian religion - Calvin - IX - Chapter 14 of Book 1

Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 14 of Book 1.

My summary
Now Calvin begins to teach us about God's creation.

However most of the chapter is not concerned with the creation of man, but with the creation of angels. 

Firstly Calvin examines Scripture for knowledge of good angels.  Thus we learn about:
(i) the purposes of angels;
(ii) the comfort we have from angels;
(iii) the danger of angel worship.

Then we hear about evil angels, including:
(i) who Satan is;
(ii) who evil angels are;
(iii) the dangers of wicked spirits for man and our war against them.

The chapter then closes with a discussion of the importance of knowing about the history of creation.

What grabbed me
One of the things that struck me in this chapter was the repeated unwillingness of Calvin to press into things that are unclear in Scripture: ' Not to dwell on this, let us here remember that on the whole subject of religion one rule of modesty and soberness is to be observed, and it is this, in obscure matters not to speak or think, or even long to know, more than the Word of God has delivered. A second rule is, that in reading the Scriptures we should constantly direct our inquiries and meditations to those things which tend to edification, not indulge in curiosity, or in studying things of no use. And since the Lord has been pleased to instruct us, not in frivolous questions, but in solid piety, in the fear of his name, in true faith, and the duties of holiness, let us rest satisfied with such knowledge.'

When it comes to many matters that raise our curiosity (such as angels!), when Scripture is silent we should be silent too.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 15 of Book 1.

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