Blog 172: 4.2.6 - 4.2.12

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 is a dynamic reality, born out of living union and communion with the one true bishop of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ. Rome's fault was not only its boast in the historic episcopacy but in its failure to make confession of biblical truth and in its anathematizing of those who did. 

If the truth be told, not Geneva but Rome is schismatic. More than that, Rome harbors idolatry within its bosom in the celebration of "the Mass, which we abominate as the greatest sacrilege" (4.2.9).

Yet, it remains true, Calvin acknowledges, that there are believers--however confused--within the pale of Rome. Correspondingly there are "traces of churches,"  but Rome itself cannot be considered a true church or part of the one true church. In fact Rome gives expression to the spirit of antichrist. 

Here again is Calvin's ability to see with both eyes.  In some Roman communities he was sure there were true believers; in that sense they are churches. Even major distortions of truth and failures with respect to grace do not necessarily mean there are no believers in the community.
 
The truth is that the heart may be regenerated while the head is not finally cleansed.  Calvin appears to have thought that some of them were in fact true believers, however inconsistent theologically and perhaps intimidated personally they were. He understood, and while he disapproved he struggled to exercise wisdom and patience. But in the end Christ was being obscured. And if Christ is obscured for long, man-centered, self industriousness, and ritualism always seems to follow in its train.  That is always an explanation for the (ongoing) necessity of reformation.