The Lord’s Placeholder

Book 3/Chapter 7 Right toward others (section 4) 1. What relation does self-denial have to our fellow men and to God? 2. What happens when we rush into self-love? 3. What does each person find within his breast through self-flattery? Helpfulness (section 5) 1. What will keep you from accomplishing anything in this life? 2. …

Calvin and Purgatory

Book 3/Chapter 5 Indulgences and the unity of redemption (section 5) 1. What does the practice of offering indulgences do to the redemption of Christ? Purgatory (section 6) 1. What destroys the notion of purgatory before it is even discussed? 2. Could the idea of purgatory be a trifle not worth discussing at all? Proofs …

Making Christ a Saintlet

Book 3/Chapter 5 Indulgences (section 1) 1. From which doctrine does the practice of granting indulgences flow? 2. Does Calvin want to argue with the men who advance these notions? Root and fruit (section 2) 1. What do many people see, and what do they miss? 2. What do indulgences establish? Fathers against indulgences (section …

Discipline and Punishment

Book 3/Chapter 4 Penalty and guilt (section 30) 1. Does the Bible teach that Christ paid the penalty for our sins? 2. If we are delivered from guilt through Christ, what must happen with the penalties? Punishment and discipline (section 31) 1. What are the two kinds of judgment, according to Calvin? 2. What role …

Forgiveness All the Way Down

Book 3/Chapter 4 Full satisfaction (section 26) 1. What doctrine was Calvin countering here? Two problems (section 27) 1. What two things is Calvin concerned to press home in this section? Venial and mortal (section 28) 1. What does Calvin do with the distinction between venial and mortal sin? 2. What objection does he dismiss? …

Free Forgiveness

Book 3/Chapter 4 Deep uncertainty (section 21) 1. What is the central problem with auricular confession? Protestant absolution (section 22) 1. Why is the Protestant practice free of “these absurdities”? Discipline (section 23) 1. Why do passages like Matt. 18:15-18 have nothing to do with auricular confession? Twin errors (section 24) 1. What are the …