Chapter 5 has fifteen points . We will see five points at a time. This is part one , points 1 - 5.
In the first five points , Calvin imports his earlier error that a sense of God has been implanted in the minds of every human being. This aspect of Calvin's thought is not biblical .
Second mistake which can be noticed is that Calvin extrapolates Paul's message in Athens to mean what he thinks.
"Paul, accordingly, after reminding the Athenians that they “might feel after God and find him,” immediately adds, that “he is not far from every one of us,” (Acts 17:27); every man having within himself undoubted evidence of the heavenly grace by which he lives, and moves, and has his being. But if, in order to apprehend God, it is unnecessary to go farther than ourselves, what excuse can there be for the sloth of any man who will not take the trouble of descending into himself that he may find Him? "
Calvin's interpretation of “he is not far from every one of us,” (Acts 17:27), as meaning ,"it is unnecessary to go father than ourselves to apprehend God" is totally erroneous. Acts 17:27 does not mean God can be known within ourselves. It means God is nearer to us and can be known by the seeker who seeks him with all his heart soul , mind and strength. Calvin goes on to accuse man for not going within himself to know God. This is not Christian teaching , it is hindu teaching and we should avoid this error of Calvin.
Pearls :
" In attestation of his wondrous wisdom, both the heavens and the earth present us with innumerable proofs not only those more recondite proofs which astronomy, medicine, and all the natural sciences, are designed to illustrate, but proofs which force themselves on the notice of the most illiterate peasant, who cannot open his eyes without beholding them. It is true, indeed, that those who are more or less intimately acquainted with those liberal studies are thereby assisted and enabled to obtain a deeper insight into the secret workings of divine wisdom. No man, however, though he be ignorant of these, is 52incapacitated for discerning such proofs of creative wisdom as may well cause him to break forth in admiration of the Creator. To investigate the motions of the heavenly bodies, to determine their positions, measure their distances, and ascertain their properties, demands skill, and a more careful examination; and where these are so employed, as the Providence of God is thereby more fully unfolded, so it is reasonable to suppose that the mind takes a loftier flight, and obtains brighter views of his glory.57 Still, none who have the use of their eyes can be ignorant of the divine skill manifested so conspicuously in the endless variety, yet distinct and well ordered array, of the heavenly host; and, therefore, it is plain that the Lord has furnished every man with abundant proofs of his wisdom. The same is true in regard to the structure of the human frame. To determine the connection of its parts, its symmetry and beauty, with the skill of a Galen (Lib. De Usu Partium), requires singular acuteness; and yet all men acknowledge that the human body bears on its face such proofs of ingenious contrivance as are sufficient to proclaim the admirable wisdom of its Maker." - Calvin
Astronomy to microbiology , all the sciences give evidence that a creator God exists and is worthy of our appreciation through worship.
" But herein appears the shameful ingratitude of men. Though they have in their own persons a factory where innumerable operations of God are carried on, and a magazine stored with treasures of inestimable value—instead of bursting forth in his praise, as they are bound to do, they, on the contrary, are the more inflated and swelled with pride. They feel how wonderfully God is working in them, and their own experience tells them of the vast variety of gifts which they owe to his liberality. Whether they will or not, they cannot but know that these are proofs of his Godhead, and yet they inwardly suppress them. They have no occasion to go farther than themselves, provided they do not, by appropriating as their own that which has been given them from heaven, put out the light intended to exhibit God clearly to their minds" - Calvin
He rightly charges man with ingratitude and pride , with attempted suppression of the light given to them so that they can know their Creator , who is forever praised ! Amen!
This pearl can be used in apologetic arguments to prove the existence of a creator God .
This pearl can be used in indict man for failing to worship his creator and wallowing in his pride , calling such souls to repentance and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their blatant sin.
In the first five points , Calvin imports his earlier error that a sense of God has been implanted in the minds of every human being. This aspect of Calvin's thought is not biblical .
Second mistake which can be noticed is that Calvin extrapolates Paul's message in Athens to mean what he thinks.
"Paul, accordingly, after reminding the Athenians that they “might feel after God and find him,” immediately adds, that “he is not far from every one of us,” (Acts 17:27); every man having within himself undoubted evidence of the heavenly grace by which he lives, and moves, and has his being. But if, in order to apprehend God, it is unnecessary to go farther than ourselves, what excuse can there be for the sloth of any man who will not take the trouble of descending into himself that he may find Him? "
Calvin's interpretation of “he is not far from every one of us,” (Acts 17:27), as meaning ,"it is unnecessary to go father than ourselves to apprehend God" is totally erroneous. Acts 17:27 does not mean God can be known within ourselves. It means God is nearer to us and can be known by the seeker who seeks him with all his heart soul , mind and strength. Calvin goes on to accuse man for not going within himself to know God. This is not Christian teaching , it is hindu teaching and we should avoid this error of Calvin.
Pearls :
" In attestation of his wondrous wisdom, both the heavens and the earth present us with innumerable proofs not only those more recondite proofs which astronomy, medicine, and all the natural sciences, are designed to illustrate, but proofs which force themselves on the notice of the most illiterate peasant, who cannot open his eyes without beholding them. It is true, indeed, that those who are more or less intimately acquainted with those liberal studies are thereby assisted and enabled to obtain a deeper insight into the secret workings of divine wisdom. No man, however, though he be ignorant of these, is 52incapacitated for discerning such proofs of creative wisdom as may well cause him to break forth in admiration of the Creator. To investigate the motions of the heavenly bodies, to determine their positions, measure their distances, and ascertain their properties, demands skill, and a more careful examination; and where these are so employed, as the Providence of God is thereby more fully unfolded, so it is reasonable to suppose that the mind takes a loftier flight, and obtains brighter views of his glory.57 Still, none who have the use of their eyes can be ignorant of the divine skill manifested so conspicuously in the endless variety, yet distinct and well ordered array, of the heavenly host; and, therefore, it is plain that the Lord has furnished every man with abundant proofs of his wisdom. The same is true in regard to the structure of the human frame. To determine the connection of its parts, its symmetry and beauty, with the skill of a Galen (Lib. De Usu Partium), requires singular acuteness; and yet all men acknowledge that the human body bears on its face such proofs of ingenious contrivance as are sufficient to proclaim the admirable wisdom of its Maker." - Calvin
Astronomy to microbiology , all the sciences give evidence that a creator God exists and is worthy of our appreciation through worship.
" But herein appears the shameful ingratitude of men. Though they have in their own persons a factory where innumerable operations of God are carried on, and a magazine stored with treasures of inestimable value—instead of bursting forth in his praise, as they are bound to do, they, on the contrary, are the more inflated and swelled with pride. They feel how wonderfully God is working in them, and their own experience tells them of the vast variety of gifts which they owe to his liberality. Whether they will or not, they cannot but know that these are proofs of his Godhead, and yet they inwardly suppress them. They have no occasion to go farther than themselves, provided they do not, by appropriating as their own that which has been given them from heaven, put out the light intended to exhibit God clearly to their minds" - Calvin
He rightly charges man with ingratitude and pride , with attempted suppression of the light given to them so that they can know their Creator , who is forever praised ! Amen!
This pearl can be used in apologetic arguments to prove the existence of a creator God .
This pearl can be used in indict man for failing to worship his creator and wallowing in his pride , calling such souls to repentance and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of their blatant sin.
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