Book I/Chapter 4 Superstition (section 1) 1. If men fall into superstition through ignorance, does this excuse them? 2. What is their blindness combined with? 3. How do ignorant and superstitious men measure God? 4. What is the object of such men’s worship? 5. What is the danger of wanting to know more than is …
Sardonic Laughter
Book I/Chapter 3 Natural Knowledge (section 1) 1. Does the human mind have a natural and innate knowledge of God? 2. In Calvin’s mind, is this up for dispute? 3. What effect does this knowledge have upon sinful men? 4. How is idolatry a testimony to this knowledge of God? Religious Invention (section 2) 1. …
Israel and Hamas
Before I say what I am going to say about Israel and Hamas, let me start with a few preliminaries. First, I am a Christian and this means that I believe that Jesus Christ is the only hope of every nation, and this includes Israel. This means that Muslims and Israelis both are summoned by …
No Drop of Wisdom or Light
Book I/Chapter 2 Piety (section 1) 1. What is a necessary prerequisite to knowledge of God? 2. Would natural revelation be possible in an unfallen world? 3. Is it possible in our fallen condition? 4. What is the distinction Calvin makes between having right notions about God and “embracing the grace of reconciliation?” 5. How …
Amoretti Roll Out
I have linked here before, but please allow me do so again. My daughter Bekah has a business named Amoretti, and she has just rolled out a new web site for it. Even if you clicked all through the old web site, check out all the nooks and crannies of this one. There will be …
David Wells
I haven’t been posting much because I am on the road, visiting the Auburn Avenue Pastors’ Conference. But just a quick note — on the plane ride here, I finished David Wells’ latest book, The Courage to Be Protestant. Magnificent book, and I love that man. Pretension after evangelical pretension is mercilessly dissected. Over against …
Dual Knowledge
Knowledge of Self (section 1) 1. In what sense can we say that Calvin’s epistemology has dual starting points? 2. Does Calvin argue for God’s existence, or does he assume it? 3. Would Calvin agree that in order to know God a man must know himself as knowing? 4. Would Calvin agree that this means …
Prayer for the King
Prefatory Address to King Francis 1 of France Tumults Alleged to Result from Reformation Preaching (7) 1. When the Word of God is active, what is the response of Satan? 2. What did Satan try first to oppose the Reformation? What was his second move? 3. What examples from Scripture does Calvin produce with regard …
Walking Like a Two-Year-Old With His Chin Up and His Chest Out
Lane does a good job summarizing my views on law/gospel applications, and my rejection of a law/gospel hermeneutic. Now I have no problem in accepting that the historic Reformed, particularly in early years, accepted the law/gospel distinction. As do I. But where is the distinction? In my view, it is not to be found in …
Within Walking Distance
Our Lord was fond of a fortiori, “how much more” arguments. Not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of the Father. That being the case, He urged, His disciples ought not to fret over whether they were going to be cared for. We can reason the same way here, at this …