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Blog Posts by Aaron Denlinger
Gratitude for Government: Calvin contra Contempt for Civil Authority
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May 2015In Calvin's estimation, the Christian life is properly one of constant gratitude. Gratitude bears fruit in holiness -- we can and should say "thank you" to God with our lives as well as our lips. The root of gratitude is... continue
On Roman Rioting, Lutheran Graffiti, and Popish Beards
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May 2015On May 6th, 1527 -- 488 years ago today -- military troops of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, sacked the ecclesiastical capital of Western Christendom, la città eterna, Rome. Sacking Rome was the "thing to do" (as they say) for much... continue
Covenant Squabbles and Christian Concord
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April 2015I've enjoyed the recent interaction between Mark Jones and Rick Phillips on the question of whether divine grace informed the covenant of works. I've also appreciated the generally cordial spirit of their interaction. As both Mark and Rick know (and... continue
Calvin contra Caterpillars
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April 2015"Many things which are now seen in the world are rather corruptions of it than any part of its proper furniture. For ever since man declined from his high original, it became necessary that the world should gradually degenerate from... continue
Luther on Book-Showers and Big, Long, Shaggy Donkey Ears
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April 2015"In time," Luther opined, "my books will lie forgotten in the dust." This was no lament on the Reformer's part. In fact, Luther found much "consolation" in the possibility -- or rather likelihood -- that his literary efforts would soon... continue
Calvin contra Rome on Scripture (Part 4)
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April 2015"I come to the right of interpreting [the Bible], which they arrogate to themselves.... It is theirs, they say, to give the meaning of Scripture, and we must acquiesce." Thus Calvin summarizes the fourth and final point of Trent's teaching... continue
Calvin contra Rome on Scripture (Part 3)
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March 2015"Thirdly," Calvin writes in description of Rome's teaching on Scripture, "repudiating all other versions [of Scripture] whatsoever, they retain the Vulgate only, and order it to be authentic." Thus Calvin summarizes the following words from the Council of Trent: [This]... continue
Calvin contra Rome on Scripture (Part 2)
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March 2015Follow the links to read the introduction and part one of this series. "In forming a catalogue of Scripture," Calvin writes, "they [the Roman Catholic Council of Trent] mark all the books with the same chalk, and insist on placing... continue
Calvin contra Rome on Scripture (Part 1)
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March 2015For an explanation of what follows, see the previously posted introduction to this series.Calvin discerned four basic claims in Rome's teaching on Scripture as discovered in the canons and decrees of the Council of Trent. The first claim was comprised in... continue
Calvin contra Rome on Scripture (Introduction)
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March 2015I intend to offer, over the next several weeks, a four part series on Calvin's response to Rome's doctrine of Scripture as discovered in the fourth session of the Council of Trent. It's my impression that very few Protestants today... continue

