The next article in Tabletalk is by Cornelis Venema, and is entitled “A Future Justification Based on Works?” In it he tackles Wright’s emphasis upon a future justification on the basis of works. Venema’s point is that Wright “radically compromises the scriptural teaching that justification is not based upon works or human performance.” Venema adds …
Introspective Weird Beards in the Monasteries
Al Mohler’s contribution to this edition of Tabletalk, an article entitled “Rethinking the Gospel?” is simply superb. And let me tell you why. First, he acknowledges Wright’s gifts. He is “brilliant, creative, provocative, and fascinating.” He also acknowledges that, as a matter of emphasis, Wright has some real contributions to make when it comes to …
Damned for Being Underfoot?
Just ran across this, and it seems to me to be N.T. Wright’s central mistake, one that generates a host of lesser mistakes. “We have got over the old idea that law-keeping was an early form of Pelagianism, by which Pharisees and others sought to earn their justification or salvation by moral effort” (N.T. Wright, …
Obeying God Rather Than Man
For those of you who have been following this series, this brings to a conclusion our series of study questions through Calvin’s Institutes. Congratulations. As my granddaughter Daphne would say, “I dood it.” Book 4/Chapter 20
The Lesser Magistrates
Book 4/Chapter 20 The royal person (section 28) 1. Whom should we serve in the civil realm? 2. Why are there “many princes”? 3. What should we then do? God will vindicate (section 29) 1. What do we not examine? 2. Are we to be subject to men who are evil in character? 3. When …
Obeying the Ungodly
Book 4/Chapter 20 Unjust magistrates (section 24) 1. Does Calvin believe that magistrates are capable of great wickedness? 2. What does this do in the minds of men who must live under such? A foundational lesson (section 25) 1. What should our first reaction be when we find ourselves governed by a wicked magistrate? Obedience …
Obey the Magistrates
Book 4/Chapter 20 Motives in litigation (section 18) 1. When are lawsuits permissible? 2. What must the righteous litigant be without? 3. How should he treat his adversary? Legal wrangles (section 19) 1. Who is Calvin arguing against? 2. What kind of court system is Calvin assuming here? 3. What should the aim of the …
Sinews of the Commonwealth
This set of questions is for Saturday, not tomorrow. Tomorrow is Christmas. Take a break from your Calvinism already. Book 4/Chapter 20 Sinews of the commonwealth (section 14) 1. What does Calvin treat next, after his discussion of the magistrate? 2. What is the relationship between magistrate and law? 3. Does Calvin believe that the …
Garrisons, Leagues, and Civil Defense
Book 4/Chapter 20 Force and piety (section 10) 1. What question does Calvin seek to answer in this section? 2. What answer does he give? 3. And why is this? 4. So what should they do if they want to be approved by God? 5. What defiles a magistrate’s hands? 6. What is the chief …
Preposterous Laws
Book 4/Chapter 20 Governmental diversity (section 8) 1. Why is it difficult to say which form of government is superior? 2. What is an easy temptation in every form of government? 3. That said, the fall is easiest under what form? 4. What form of government does Calvin prefer? 5. But what is a Christian’s …