Book I/Chapter 9 Fanatical appeal (section 1) 1. Why do some abandon Scripture? 2. How can they justify this? What argument do they use? 3. How does Calvin answer this from Paul? The Holy Spirit (section 2) 1. Why do we need a distinguishing mark or test to tell if it is the work of …
Keeping Works and Grace Distinct
I need to get caught up with Lane, being two behind. This is a response to his post here. Three points: The first is that Lane points out an apparent contradiction between me and my friend Steve Wilkins, and asks “which one is correct?” The answer, of course, is that I am. Seriously, the quote …
The Absolute Necessity of the New Birth/Romans 9
INTRODUCTION: We left off with St. Paul’s observation that the Gentiles blasphemed God’s name because of the behavior of God’s people. In this passage, he goes on to show the root cause of the discrepancy between the holy name by which God’s people were called, and unholy lives which disgraced that calling. The root cause …
Veracity of Scripture
Book I/Chapter 8 Miracles (section 5) 1. Summarize Calvin’s fifth argument for the veracity of Scripture. Miracles II (section 6) 1. How can this argument carry any force for us when we ourselves have not seen any of the miracles? Fulfilled Prophecy (section 7) 1. What is his seventh argument? Fulfilled Prophecy II (section 8) …
When the Majesty is Brought
Book I/Chapter 8 Superior Wisdom (section 1) 1. Does human reason go the “whole distance” in giving us evidence that the Scriptures are God’s word? 2. Does this it proves nothing? 3. What is necessary before these secondary proofs are worth anything? 4. In the first line what does “this certainty” refer to? 5. There …
The Beginning of True Doctrine
Book I/Chapter 7 The Holy Spirit (section 4) 1. What is the foundation for credibility in any doctrine? 2. What is the secret testimony of the Spirit? 3. Those who try to build faith in the Bible through disputation are doing what? 4. The testimony of the Spirit is superior to what? 5. Scripture characterizes …
Church and Scripture
Book I/Chapter 7 Church Authority (section 1) 1. Where does the authority of Scripture arise? 2. What is a most pernicious error on this issue? 3. Does the church establish the canon? The Foundation of the Church (section 2) 1. Where does the Bible teach that scriptural authority precedes the authority of the Church? 2. …
Missing the Point
Once there was a young boy who had quite a collection of remote control cars, toys, and even a small airplane or two. He took good care of them, and had them arranged nicely on a shelf in his bedroom. Occasionally, he would take one of the cars down and play with it by hand …
Losing the Calf, But Keeping the Gold
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father, we confess to You now that our nation has been …
The Human Heart As a Slippery Place
Book I/Chapter 6 Actual Knowledge (section 1) 1. What is the only source of actual knowledge of God? 2. Natural revelation is sufficient to produce only what? 3. What illustration does Calvin use to show what Scripture does? 4. Is knowledge of God as Creator sufficient for a man? 5. How can God be distinguished …