September 2009 Archives

In critiquing the Roman Catholic Church for pursuing earthly riches, Calvin employs an interpretive principle that holds the Old Testament and the New Testament in proper relationship. Calvin was critical of the Catholics for the magnificence of their churches and... continue

Calvin's broad-scale attack on the abuses of the Roman Church continues with his criticisms of monks, priests, deacons, and other clerics. The Geneva Reformer had little time for monks who claimed to fulfill a priestly function. Whatever virtues monastic life... continue

The Protestant Reformation was not a renewal of doctrine only, but just as much (if not more so) a renewal of practice. This helps to explain why Book IV--which primarily concerns the sacraments, government, and ministry of the church--is by... continue

Another aspect of ecclesiastical order is the election of bishops. (Calvin shows considerable knowledge of the early church, perhaps reflecting the days when his father had him trained as a canon lawyer?)  Once more, his aversion to disorder disturbs the... continue

Yesterday we ended with a question. The answer to it is: that Calvin offers ecclesiastical advice to places other than Geneva by using the contrast of what is necessary for the being of the church, and what is necessary for its... continue

Part of Calvin's idea of church order is to see it as following 'apostolic precedent' (in the matter, for example, of ordination by the laying on of hands) where there is no explicit NT command. Such precedents 'ought to serve... continue

A read through these sections makes it clear that the establishing and preservation of order is a main Calvinian criterion for the various ecclesiastical rules he proposes at this point. For example,  the establishing of governors, that is, elders, overseers,... continue

For Calvin the Christian ministry was a glorious calling from God, but it was never grounded in the superior qualities of the minister himself.  This therefore raises the question for everyman the church member: "Why should I listen to this... continue

The episcopacy that holds the church together in unity is not man's but Christ's.  The unity of the church, therefore, is not a formal, historical reality made concrete in an institution (the college of bishops or the pope).  Rather it... continue

When is a "church" not a church? How do we recognize the true church of Jesus Christ?  And how do we discern the false? Calvin's answer to what was in his day--and remains--an important question, is, essentially: the ministry of... continue