Institutes of Christian religion - Calvin - LXVI - Chapter 10 of Book 4

Required reading
Institutes of Christian religion by John Calvin (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 10 of Book 4.

My summary
This week Calvin continues to attack the teachings of the Roman Catholic church by showing that they have unlawfully made laws.

Initially he speaks about the Christian law of liberty and freedom of conscience.

Then Calvin spends most of the chapter speaking about the evils contained in the laws of the papacy.

Yet Calvin also defends the law of the land as important.

A good summary of Calvin's position is given in his own words: 'We have, therefore, a most excellent and sure mark to distinguish between those impious constitutions (by which, as we have said, true religion is overthrown, and conscience subverted) and the legitimate observances of the Church, if we remember that one of two things, or both together, are always intended—viz. that in the sacred assembly of the faithful, all things may be done decently, and with becoming dignity, and that human society may be maintained in order by certain bonds, as it were, of moderation and humanity. For when a law is understood to have been made for the sake of public decency, there is no room for the superstition into which those fall who measure the worship of God by human inventions. On the other hand, when a law is known to be intended for common use, that false idea of its obligation and necessity, which gives great alarm to the conscience, when traditions are deemed necessary to salvation, is overthrown; since nothing here is sought but the maintenance of charity by a common office. '

What grabbed me
I appreciated Calvin's argument against making laws on God's behalf: ' Moreover, since the whole question depends on this, that God being the only lawgiver, it is unlawful for men to assume that honour to themselves, it will be proper to keep in mind the two reasons for which God claims this solely for himself. The one reason is, that his will is to us the perfect rule of all righteousness and holiness, and that thus in the knowledge of it we have a perfect rule of life. The other reason is, that when the right and proper method of worshipping him is in question, he whom we ought to obey, and on whose will we ought to depend, alone has authority over our souls. When these two reasons are attended to, it will be easy to decide what human constitutions are contrary to the word of the Lord.'

God is the one with authority over us, so God is the one who tells us what to do.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 11 of Book 4.

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