Some good thoughts on the Lord’s supper from Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin… *** But as this mystery of the secret union of Christ with believers is incomprehensible by nature, he exhibits its figure and image in visible signs adapted to our capacity…. We now, therefore, understand the end which this mystical blessing has…
Tag: John Calvin
Can Wrestlers Baptize? (Part 2)
In part one, I asked readers what they thought about something John Calvin said about baptism in his book Institutes of the Christian Religion. Several readers made good comments on my Facebook page, and I thought I’d share them: [V]iewing the sacraments as only being able to be administered by clergy takes the emphasis off ‘Christ…
Can Wrestlers Baptize?
Baptism scene from Nacho Libre In other posts, I’ve mentioned I’m wrestling my way though Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. I’m currently reading a section about sacraments. Calvin sees sacraments like communion or baptism as signs of the work of Christ. Baptism, for example, pictures our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. Baptism doesn’t only signify forgiveness. It…
And I Quote!
“The crucified and yet living Christ is the concrete summing up of the Christian message and the Christian faith. He is Himself the wholly concrete truth of Christianity.”—Hans Kung, On Being a Christian, chapter VI. “The scriptures declare Christ. And anything else you find in there is a product of your religious imaginations.”—JW Luman, Covenant Ministries Int’l. “Go to…
Predestined Controversy: Epilogue
Originally, I planned to write two posts about predestination (Part 1, Part 2). I guess you could say I predetermined this. Then I changed my mind 😉 Romans 8:33 says “Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies.” How strange it seems to imagine election or predestination occurring apart…
Predestined Controversy (Part 2)
In my last post, I asked readers to respond to John Calvin’s comments on predestination. So far, there have been no comments. Maybe this is a subject people don’t want to touch with a 10-foot pole! If there are any brave souls out there, feel free to comment on this post or the last one. I…
Predestined Controversy
I have been reading John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion…for about a year. It’s an enormous, exhaustive work of theology. Ironically, Calvin laments that he has a love of brevity and is unable to expound on religious matters as thoroughly as his forebears. If Calvin hadn’t loved brevity, I shudder to think of how much…
The Voice of One 