Passionate Theology Moments Ep. 7 Calvins Institutes Chapter 4 Section 1

Here I Stand Theology

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Here I stand. Today on Passionate Theology Moments, we are going to be reading from Chapter 4 of Calvin's Institutes, Section 1, concerning the knowledge of God, stifled or corrupted, whether ignorantly or maliciously.

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Calvin states, But though experience testifies that a seed of religion is divinely sown in all, scarcely one in a hundred is found who cherishes it in his heart, and not one in whom it grows to maturity, so far is it from yielding fruit in its season.

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Moreover, while some lose themselves in superstitious observances, and others of set purpose wickedly revolt from God, the result is that, in reward to the true knowledge of Him, all are so degenerate that in no part of the world can genuine godliness be found.

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In saying that some fall away into superstition, I mean not to insinuate that their excessive absurdity frees them from guilt, for the blindness under which they labor is almost invariably accompanied in vain pride and stubbornness.

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Mingled vanity and pride appear in this, that when miserable men do seek after God, instead of ascending higher than themselves as they ought to do, they measure

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Him by their own carnal stupidity, and neglecting solid inquiry, they fly off to indulge their curiosity in vain speculation.

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Hence, they do not conceive of Him in the character in which He is manifested, but they imagine

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Him to be whatever their own rashness has devised. This abyss standing open, they cannot move one footstep without rushing headlong to destruction.

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With such an idea of God, nothing which they may attempt to offer in the way of worship or obedience can have any value in His sight, because it is not

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Him they worship, but instead of Him they worship the dream and figment of their own heart.

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This corrupt procedure is admirably described by the Apostle Paul when he states they thought themselves to be wise, but they became fools,

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Romans 1 .22. He had previously said that they became vain in their imaginations, but lest anyone should suppose them blameless, he afterwards adds that they were deservedly blinded, because not contented with sober iniquity, because arrogating to themselves more than they have any title to do, they of their own accord court darkness.

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No, they bewitched themselves with perverse empty show.

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Hence, it is that their folly, the result not only of vain curiosity, but of licentious desire and overweening confidence in the pursuit of forbidden knowledge, cannot be excused.