Critique of Calvin's Institutes - Chapter 5 - Part 2

The second 5 points,points 5 -10 of chapter 5 are analysed here.

1."From the power of God we are naturally led to consider his eternity since that from which all other things derive their origin must necessarily be self-existent and eternal."

This idea of God being a necessarily self existent and eternal is strong logical and ontological case for the presence of God and thus for theism.

2. "For in conducting the affairs of men, he so arranges the course of his providence, as daily to declare, by the clearest manifestations, that though all are in innumerable ways the partakers of his bounty, the righteous are the special objects of his favour, the wicked and profane the special objects of his severity. It is impossible to doubt his punishment of crimes; while at the same time he, in no unequivocal manner, declares that he is the protector, and even the avenger of innocence, by shedding blessings on the good, helping their necessities, soothing and solacing their griefs, relieving their sufferings, and in all ways providing for their safety."

3. "But as the greater part of mankind, enslaved by error, walk blindfold in this glorious theatre, he exclaims that it is a rare and singular wisdom to meditate carefully on these works of God, which many, who seem most sharp-sighted in other respects, behold without profit. It is indeed true, that the brightest manifestation of divine glory finds not one genuine spectator among a hundred. Still, neither his power nor his wisdom is shrouded in darkness. His power is strikingly displayed when the rage of the wicked, to all appearance irresistible, is crushed in a single moment; their arrogance subdued, their strongest bulwarks overthrown, their armour dashed to pieces, their strength broken, their schemes defeated without an effort, and audacity which set itself above the heavens is precipitated to the lowest depths of the earth. On the other hand, the poor are raised up out of the dust, and the needy lifted out of the dung hill (Ps. 113:7), the oppressed and afflicted are rescued in extremity, the despairing animated with hope, the unarmed defeat the armed, the few the many, the weak the strong. "

4.Hence it is obvious, that in seeking God, the most direct path and the fittest method is, not to attempt with presumptuous curiosity to pry into his essence, which is rather to be adored than minutely discussed, but to contemplate him in his works, by which he draws near, becomes familiar, and in a manner communicates himself to us. 

Is not Christ , the most direct path and the fittest method through which he draws near to man ? Though nature and the course of human events points towards God , the idea that the most fittest method to be through his work is most unbiblical. 

5. To this the Apostle referred when he said, that we need not go far in 

58search of him (Acts 17:27), because, by the continual working of his power, he dwells in every one of us.

Acts 17:27 does not mean  as calvin says , God dwells within everyone. This is one extension fallacy which we must avoid.

6.10. By the knowledge thus acquired, we ought not only to be stimulated to worship God, but also aroused and elevated to the hope of future life.