John Calvin's Institutes in a Year

By Christopher Michael Patton

Ever stared at John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion on your shelf and thought, “One day I’ll finally read that… but where would I even start?”

This podcast is for that

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FAQs about John Calvin's Institutes in a Year:

How many episodes does John Calvin's Institutes in a Year have?

The podcast currently has 220 episodes available.

John Calvin's Institutes in a Year episodes:

August 07, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 7
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
What remains of the pastoral office when bishops never see their flocks and scarcely one in a hundred of the clergy ever preaches? In these sections of the Institutes, Calvin exposes the non-residence of bishops, the abandonment of preaching, the empty claim of apostolic succession, and the complete corruption of the diaconate. The goods once dedicated to the poor have become plunder, the name of shepherd is claimed by those who never feed the sheep, and the whole hierarchical system, he argues, stands opposed to the institution of Christ and the practice of the early Church.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 5, Sections 11–15
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
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#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #ChurchGovernment #Papacy #PastoralOffice #Diaconate
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9min
August 06, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 6
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
How are the offices of the Church actually filled and performed under the Papacy? In these sections of the Institutes, Calvin exposes the widespread practice of simony, the scandal of one man holding multiple churches for their income alone, the confusion of monastic and clerical callings, and the host of idle canons, deans, and chaplains who claim the name of presbyter while discharging none of its duties. What remains, he argues, is not the pastoral office instituted by Christ but a system of benefices, ceremonies, and private gain that has emptied the ministry of its true substance.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 5, Sections 6–10
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #ChurchGovernment #Papacy #Benefices #Simony
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12min
August 05, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 5
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
What kind of men are made bishops under the Papacy, and by what process are they appointed? In these sections of the Institutes, Calvin sets the hierarchical system of his day beside the order of the early Church and finds almost no resemblance left. He shows that examination of doctrine has been abandoned, that the people’s ancient right in election has been stripped away, that boys and men of open vice are advanced to the episcopal office, and that the ordination of presbyters and deacons has been turned into an empty ceremony for creating sacrificing priests rather than true pastors and servants of the poor. The result, he argues, is not the continuation of the apostolic ministry but its near total corruption.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 5, Sections 1–5
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #ChurchGovernment #Papacy #EarlyChurch
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13min
August 04, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 4
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
How carefully did the early Church guard the liberty of the people in choosing their bishops? In these sections of the Institutes, Calvin shows that no one was to be forced upon an unwilling congregation, that the election required the consent of clergy, people, and magistrates, and that the ordination itself was performed with the laying on of hands by the provincial bishops. He traces how this ordered and public process gradually gave way to more centralized and ambitious customs, yet insists that the ancient pattern remained far closer to the apostolic standard than the later claims of hierarchical power.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 4, Sections 11–15
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #ChurchGovernment #EarlyChurch #Ordination #ElectionOfBishops
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11min
August 03, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 3
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
What belonged to the Church in the early centuries was regarded as the patrimony of the poor. In these sections of the Institutes, Calvin shows how the revenues of the Church were carefully divided, how bishops and deacons were held to strict accountability, and how the ornament of the sacraments was never allowed to outweigh the needs of the hungry and the captive. He also describes the careful training of young men for the ministry and the reverent process by which pastors were examined and elected with the consent of the people. The picture that emerges is one of ordered simplicity, mutual accountability, and a constant concern that the goods of the Church serve the good of Christ’s flock.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 4, Sections 6–10
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #ChurchGovernment #EarlyChurch #PatrimonyOfThePoor
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13min
August 02, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 2
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
What did the government of the Church look like before the rise of the papacy? In these sections of the Institutes, Calvin turns from the pure teaching of Scripture to the actual practice of the early Church. He shows that bishops and presbyters shared the work of teaching and discipline, that the bishop was a president among equals rather than a ruler by divine right, and that the first duty of every minister was to feed the people with the word of God. The offices of deacon and the care of the poor remained close to the apostolic pattern, all ordered under the single standard of Scripture.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 4, Sections 1–5
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #ChurchGovernment #EarlyChurch #PresbyterianOrder
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12min
August 01, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: August 1
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
No one may presume to take up the public ministry of the Church without a lawful call. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he carefully explains the four heads of a true calling: who is to be appointed, in what manner, by whom, and with what rite. The ordinary path is election by the people under the guidance of existing pastors, confirmed by the laying on of hands. This order guards the Church against ambition and preserves the dignity of the ministry as a work of God.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 10–16
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ChurchCalling #Ordination #Pastors #Ministry
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15min
July 31, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: July 31
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
The ordinary offices of the Church—pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons—are of perpetual duration. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he carefully distinguishes the temporary offices of apostles, prophets, and evangelists from the lasting ministry that builds up the body of Christ. Pastors are called to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and exercise discipline; elders assist in governance; and deacons care for the poor. These offices are not human inventions but the Lord’s appointed means for the edification of his people.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 5–9
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ChurchOffices #Pastors #Elders #Deacons #Ministry
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11min
July 30, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: July 30
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
The Lord rules his Church by his word, yet he has chosen to use the ministry of men. In these opening sections of Chapter 3 from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows why God employs pastors and teachers: to humble us, to bind us together in love, and to build up the body of Christ. The ordinary offices of pastor and teacher are essential and perpetual; without them the Church cannot be preserved.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 1–4
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ChurchMinistry #Pastors #Teachers #Gospel
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13min
July 29, 2026 Calvin's Institutes: July 29
Today’s Readings Podcast Description
The true Church stands or falls by the pure preaching of the word and the right administration of the sacraments. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows why the Church of Rome cannot claim to be the true Church despite its outward forms and claims of succession. Where the gospel is corrupted and idolatry reigns, the Church ceases to exist. Calvin calls us to hold fast to Christ and his word rather than empty masks.
Readings:
John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 2, Sections 9–12
Explore the Project:
Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com
Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton
Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com
Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org
#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #TrueChurch #FalseChurch #Gospel #Reformation
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10min

FAQs about John Calvin's Institutes in a Year:

How many episodes does John Calvin's Institutes in a Year have?

The podcast currently has 220 episodes available.