[ksen]

BOOK 1:
Chapter 1 - THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND OF OURSELVES MUTUALLY CONNECTED. - NATURE OF THIS CONNECTION.
Chapter 2 - WHAT IT IS TO KNOW GOD,--TENDENCY OF THIS KNOWLEDGE.
Chapter 3 - THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD HAS BEEN NATURALLY IMPLANTED IN THE HUMAN MIND.
Chapter 4 - THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD STIFLED OR CORRUPTED, IGNORANTLY OR MALICIOUSLY.
Chapter 5 - THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD CONSPICUOUS IN THE CREATION, AND CONTINUAL GOVERNMENT OF THE WORLD.
Chapter 6: THE NEED OF SCRIPTURE, AS A GUIDE AND TEACHER, IN COMING TO GOD AS CREATOR.

[ksen]

Ping for chapter 7!

Sorry I didn't get this up sooner, I was in bed sick yesterday.

[ksen]

Calvin talks about "the Church" in a number of places in this chapter. When he says "the Church" is he referring to the RCC? Or is he referring to the body of Believers? And if he interchanges definitions, how do you tell which one he means?

[ksen]

True, were I called to contend with the craftiest despisers of God, I trust, though I am not possessed of the highest ability or eloquence, I should not find it difficult to stop their obstreperous mouths; I could, without much ado, put down the boastings which they mutter in corners, were anything to be gained by refuting their cavils. But although we may maintain the sacred Word of God against gainsayers, it does not follow that we shall forthwith implant the certainty which faith requires in their hearts.

I wonder how many of us, here and in RL, forget this? We argue with our own reason and mental abilities and forget that it is the Spirit which convicts and convinces the Unbeliever, not our cleverness with words or ability to phrase an argument.

[ksen]

If at any time, then we are troubled at the small number of those who believe, let us, on the other hand, call to mind, that none comprehend the mysteries of God save those to whom it is given.

I wonder if Calvin was looking for a reason why so few people were "saved"? I know when I was first saved I wanted to tell everyone I knew and loved about Jesus and the Gospel. I told them, but they didn't respond as I did. How could someone hear about Jesus and what He did and NOT respond?

I wonder if that is why Calvin taught Absolute Predestination and Election. Just a thought.

[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

You know, now that Calvin has established the authority of Scripture, these next chapters and books ought to get into the really good stuff.

Bet you get quite a bit more discussion, enough that the thread posting may have to slow down somewhat to accomodate all of the "commentary".