Book 2/Chapter1 True knowledge of ourselves (section 1) 1. What ancient proverb does Calvin commend? 2. What echo of an earlier point in Calvin does this make? 3. What are the two essential parts of self-knowledge? Deluded self-admiration (section 2) 1. Instead of true self-knowledge, what do we tend to seek out instead? 2. What …
Not Harsh at All
Book 1/Chapter 18 God’s manifold will(section 3) 1. What is the disposition behind a dismissal of God’s complete sovereignty with a simple “to me it seems otherwise”? 2. Why do opponents of this doctrine claim that it makes have God possess two contrary wills? 3. What is meant by God’s “manifold” wisdom? God’s holy disposition …
Not Just Bare Permission
Book 1/Chapter 18 Not just bare permission (section 1) 1. Concerning God’s providence what is the “more difficult question”? 2. Does Calvin allow the distinction between doing and permitting? 3. Why would we describe Calvin as a strict biblicist on this question? 4. What are three examples given by Calvin? Control of the heart (section …
Aimlessly Tumbled About
Book 1/Chapter 17 Joyful trust(section 11) 1. If we would rightly dread forture, what may our attitude toward God’s providence be? 2. Can anything happen that God does not determine? 3. When the world appears to be “aimlessly tumbled about,” what is the Lord doing? Objections(section 12) 1. What is an obvious objection to this …
When to Mount Up to God
Book 1/Chapter 17 When God blesses (section 7) 1. Can God turn the activity of our enemies to our good? 2. What is the only thing that can make all things prosper? Certainty about prosperity a help (section 8) 1. Why was Joseph able to forget the injustice committed by his brothers/ 2. What was …
True Solace
Book 1/Chapter 17 Due prudence (section 4) 1. Should the fact that God’s providential care extends to all things prevent us from exercising due prudence? 2. If God offers secondary helps and instruments, should we use them? 3. Does God ordain the means as well as the ends? 4. Does God’s providence come to us …
The Secret Things
Book 1/Chapter 17 The meaning of God’s ways (section 1) 1. What are the three things that must be remembered with regard to God’s providence? 2. Do hard providences glorify God? What scriptural passage does Calvin use to make this point? Respect God’s ways (section 2) 1. How does Calvin describe those who do not …
No Stoic Fate
Book 1/Chapter 16 Natural occurrences (section 7) 1. What kind of testimonies are particular events? 2. What passage does Calvin cite to show God controls all winds? 3. The waves? 4. The opening and closing of wombs? 5. The nourishment that bread gives? Not fate or fortune (section 8) 1. Why does Calvin not believe …
Calvin Gets Down to Brass Tacks
Book 1/Chapter 16 The nature of providence (section 4) 1. What does the word providence not refer to? 2. Is providence limited to foreknowledge? 3. If God governs the laws of nature only, what has been taken from Him? God’s special providence (section 5) 1. If God controls the general laws only, what is no …
Calvin on Providence
Book 1/Chapter 15 Adam’s freedom (section 8) 1. Did Adam have the resources, prior to the Fall, to attain to eternal life? 2. Why should we not invoke the doctrine of secret predestination in this discussion? 3. Why do the “philosophers” misunderstand the nature of man? Book 1/Chapter 16 Creation and providence (section 1) 1. …