Even though I have Calvin's Instittues, I have only read a small portion. It seems that I should spend more time to read it.
I am very impressed that Calvin wrote such a book at this young age, 27. God has given him great gifts.
From the lecture I also learned that Calvin gave a lot of thought in the order of chapters especially in his final version of 1559. I have not given it much thought. I agree with his arrangements wholeheartedly, but I don't find too many people follow his order of presentation today. That is why we have a lot of controversy.
Following are some comments from the professor on the order: In his earlier editions, through the 1554 edition, Calvin wrote about the doctrine of providence and the doctrine of predestination together in the opening section of the book with the doctrine of God. In 1559 Calvin separated those two doctrines. Providence still came in Book I, with the doctrine of God. Why does Calvin put election in such a strange place, toward the end of Book III, after prayer? After the change, it is for the Christian to give glory to God and be humble in the presence of God. We recognize that our faith and our salvation is a gift of God.
One question about the Institutes is why Calvin put the doctrine of sanctification before the doctrine of justification. Yet his order shows a concern for teaching. Calvin believed that many people, when they moved from faith to justification, might not go any further. He wanted to show a link between the Holy Spirit, who gives us faith, and the result in our lives. Then if his readers continued for another chapter he would teach on justification.
Even though I have Calvin's Instittues, I have only read a small portion. It seems that I should spend more time to read it.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed that Calvin wrote such a book at this young age, 27. God has given him great gifts.
From the lecture I also learned that Calvin gave a lot of thought in the order of chapters especially in his final version of 1559. I have not given it much thought. I agree with his arrangements wholeheartedly, but I don't find too many people follow his order of presentation today. That is why we have a lot of controversy.
Following are some comments from the professor on the order:
In his earlier editions, through the 1554 edition, Calvin wrote about the doctrine of providence and the doctrine of predestination together in the opening section of the book with the doctrine of God.
In 1559 Calvin separated those two doctrines. Providence still came in Book I, with the doctrine of God.
Why does Calvin put election in such a strange place, toward the end of Book III, after prayer?
After the change, it is for the Christian to give glory to God and be humble in the presence of God. We recognize that our faith and our salvation is a gift of God.
One question about the Institutes is why Calvin put the doctrine of sanctification before the doctrine of justification.
Yet his order shows a concern for teaching. Calvin believed that many people, when they moved from faith to justification, might not go any further. He wanted to show a link between the Holy Spirit, who gives us faith, and the result in our lives. Then if his readers continued for another chapter he would teach on justification.
Nick, thanks for reminding me of the course at CTS' Worldwide Classroom on Calvin's Institutes.
ReplyDeletehttp://worldwide-classroom.com/courses/
What a great (and free) resource! I shall take an advantage of this. There is so much to learn.