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Handout #154 |
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Calvin: the Institutes of the Christian Religion |
| Following the custom of the French
Reformation theologians, in 1536 A.D., in Basle, Calvin published in Latin
a small volume which summed up the major features of his theology. The
work was expanded and translated into French in Geneva in 1541A.D.
Successive editions, constantly enlarged down to the last one in 1559
A.D., in four volumes, make the work the theological summa of Reformed
Protestantism.
In all acts of life we must consider our vocation Finally, this point is to be noted; the Lord bids each one of us all life's actions to look to his calling. For he knows with what great restlessness human nature flames, with what fickleness it is borne hither and thither, how its ambition longs to embrace various things at once. Therefore lest through our stupidity and rashness everything be turned topsy-turvy, he has appointed duties for everyman in this particular way of life. And that no one may thoughtlessly transgress his limits, he has named these various kinds of living 'callings'. Therefore each individual has his own kind of living assigned to him by the Lord as a kind of sentry post so that he may not heedlessly wander about through life. Institutes III, X, 6. The distinction between the invisible church and the visible church Holy Scripture speaks of the church in two ways. Sometimes by the term 'church' it means that who is actually in God's presence, into which no persons are received but those who are children of God by grace of adoption and true members of Christ by sanctification of the Holy Spirit. Then indeed, the church include not only the saints at present living on earth, but all the elect from the beginning of the world. Often, however, the name 'church' designates the whole multitude of men spread over the earth who profess to worship one God in Christ. By baptism we are initiated into faith in him, by partaking in the Lord's Supper we attest our unity in true doctrine and love; in the Word of the Lord we have agreement, and for the preaching of the Word the ministry instituted by Christ is preserved. In this church are mingled many hypocrites with the good .... Just as we must believe, therefore, that the former church, invisible to us, is visible to the eyes of God alone, so we are commanded to revere and keep communion with the latter, which is called church in respect to men. The marks of the visible church From this the face of the church comes forth and becomes visible to our eyes. "Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ's institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists (cf. Eph. 2.20). For his promise cannot fail: 'Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them (Matt.18.20). The church universal is a multitude gathered from all nations; it is divided and dispersed in separate places, but agrees on the one truth of divine doctrine, and is bound by the bond of the same religion. Under it are thus included individual churches, disposed in towns and villages according human need, so that each rightly has the name and authority of the church. Institutes Iv. 1, 7 and 9. |
