Reformed Classics

By Religion & Spirituality Christianity

Reformed Classics episodes

November 03, 2009 Book 1, Chapter 9: All the Principles of Piety Subverted by Fanatics, Who Substitute Revelations for Scripture
Sections
The temper and error of the Libertines, who take to themselves the name of spiritual, briefly described. Their refutation. 1. The Apostles and all true Christians have embraced the written Word. This confirmed by a passage in Isaiah; also
12 min
October 27, 2009Book 1, Chapter 8: The Credibility of Scripture…
Sections
Secondary helps to establish the credibility of Scripture. I. The arrangement of the sacred volume. II. Its dignity. III. Its truth. IV. Its simplicity. V. Its efficacy.
The majesty conspicuous in the writings of the Prophets.
Special proofs from the Old Testament. I. The antiquity of the Books of Moses.
This antiquity contrasted with the dreams of the Egyptians. II. The majesty of the Books of Moses.
The miracles and prophecies of Moses. A profane objection refuted.
Another profane objection refuted.
The prophecies of Moses as to the sceptre not departing from Judah, and the calling of the Gentiles.
The predictions of other prophets. The destruction of Jerusalem; and the return from the Babylonish captivity. Harmony of the Prophets. The celebrated prophecy of Daniel.
Objection against Moses and the Prophets. Answer to it.
Another objection and answer. Of the wondrous Providence of God in the preservation of the sacred books. The Greek Translation. The carefulness of the Jews.
Special proofs from the New Testament. I. The harmony of the Evangelists, and the sublime simplicity of their writings. II. The majesty of John, Paul, and Peter. III. The calling of the Apostles. IV. The conversion of Paul.
Proofs from Church history. I. Perpetual consent of the Church in receiving and preserving the truth. II. The invincible power of the truth itself. III. Agreement among the godly, not withstanding of their many differences in other respects.
The constancy of the martyrs. Conclusion. Proofs of this description only of use after the certainty of Scripture has been established in the heart by the Holy Spirit.
read chapter at CCEL
Participants: Camden Bucey
37 min
October 27, 2009 Book 1, Chapter 8: The Credibility of Scripture…
Sections
Secondary helps to establish the credibility of Scripture. I. The arrangement of the sacred volume. II. Its dignity. III. Its truth. IV. Its simplicity. V. Its efficacy.
The majesty conspicuous in the writings of the Prophets.
Speci
37 min
October 20, 2009Book 1, Chapter 7: The Testimony of the Spirit Necessary to Give Full Authority to Scripture
Sections
The authority of Scripture derived not from men, but from the Spirit of God. Objection, That Scripture depends on the decision of the Church. Refutation, I. The truth of God would thus be subjected to the will of man. II. It is insulting to the Holy Spirit. III. It establishes a tyranny in the Church. IV. It forms a mass of errors. V. It subverts conscience. VI. It exposes our faith to the scoffs of the profane.
Another reply to the objection drawn from the words of the Apostle Paul. Solution of the difficulties started by opponents. A second objection refuted.
A third objection founded on a sentiment of Augustine considered.
Conclusion, That the authority of Scripture is founded on its being spoken by God. This confirmed by the conscience of the godly, and the consent of all men of the least candour. A fourth objection common in the mouths of the profane. Refutation.
Last and necessary conclusion, That the authority of Scripture is sealed on the hearts of believers by the testimony of the Holy Spirit. The certainty of this testimony. Confirmation of it from a passage of Isaiah, and the experience of believers. Also, from another passage of Isaiah.
Participants: Camden Bucey
21 min
October 20, 2009 Book 1, Chapter 7: The Testimony of the Spirit Necessary to Give Full Authority to Scripture
Sections
The authority of Scripture derived not from men, but from the Spirit of God. Objection, That Scripture depends on the decision of the Church. Refutation, I. The truth of God would thus be subjected to the will of man. II. It is insulting
21 min
October 13, 2009Book 1, Chapter 6: The Need of Scripture, as a Guide and Teacher, in Coming to God as a Creator
John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion translated by Henry Beveridge. Book 1, Chapter 6.
Sections
God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himselfâ€”viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first.
First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing.
This view confirmed, 1. By the depravity of our nature making it necessary in every one who would know God to have recourse to the word; 2. From those passages of the Psalms in which God is introduced as reigning.
Another confirmation from certain direct statements in the Psalms. Lastly, From the words of our Saviour.
Participants: Camden Bucey
14 min
October 13, 2009 Book 1, Chapter 6: The Need of Scripture, as a Guide and Teacher, in Coming to God as a Creator
John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion translated by Henry Beveridge. Book 1, Chapter 6.
Sections
God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himselfâ€”viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first.
Fi
14 min
October 06, 2009Book 1, Chapter 5: The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual Government of the World
This chapter consists of two parts: 1. The former, which occupies the first ten sections, divides all the works of God into two great classes, and elucidates the knowledge of God as displayed in each class. The one class is treated of in the first six, and the other in the four following sections: 2. The latter part of the chapter shows, that, in consequence of the extreme stupidity of men, those manifestations of God, however perspicuous, lead to no useful result. This latter part, which commences at the eleventh section, is continued to the end of the chapter.
Sections.
The invisible and incomprehensible essence of God, to a certain extent, made visible in his works.
This declared by the first class of worksâ€”viz. the admirable motions of the heavens and the earth, the symmetry of the human body, and the connection of its parts; in short, the various objects which are presented to every eye.
This more especially manifested in the structure of the human body.
The shameful ingratitude of disregarding God, who, in such a variety of ways, is manifested within us. The still more shameful ingratitude of contemplating the endowments of the soul, without ascending to Him who gave them. No objection can be founded on any supposed organism in the soul.
The powers and actions of the soul, a proof of its separate existence from the body. Proofs of the soul’s immortality. Objection that the whole world is quickened by one soul. Reply to the objection. Its impiety.
Conclusion from what has been saidâ€”viz. that the omnipotence, eternity, and goodness of God, may be learned from the first class of works, i.e., those which are in accordance with the ordinary course of nature.
The second class of worksâ€”viz. those above the ordinary course of nature, afford clear evidence of the perfections of God, especially his goodness, justice, and mercy.
Also his providence, power, and wisdom.
Proofs and illustrations of the divine Majesty. The use of themâ€”viz. the acquisition of divine knowledge in combination with true piety.
The tendency of the knowledge of God to inspire the righteous with the hope of future life, and remind the wicked of the punishments reserved for them. Its tendency, moreover, to keep alive in the hearts of the righteous a sense of the divine goodness.
The second part of the chapter, which describes the stupidity both of learned and unlearned, in ascribing the whole order of things, and the admirable arrangements of divine Providence, to fortune.
Hence Polytheism, with all its abominations, and the endless and irreconcilable opinions of the philosophers concerning God.
All guilty of revolt from God, corrupting pure religion, either by following general custom, or the impious consent of antiquity.
Though irradiated by the wondrous glories of creation, we cease not to follow our own ways.
Our conduct altogether inexcusable, the dullness of perception being attributable to ourselves, while we are fully reminded of the true path, both by the structure and the government of the world.
Participants: Camden Bucey
49 min
October 06, 2009 Book 1, Chapter 5: The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual Government of the World
This chapter consists of two parts: 1. The former, which occupies the first ten sections, divides all the works of God into two great classes, and elucidates the knowledge of God as displayed in each class. The one class is treated of in the first six, an
49 min
September 29, 2009 Book 1, Chapter 4: The Knowledge of God Stifled or Corrupted, Ignorantly or Maliciously
Sections.
1. The knowledge of God suppressed by ignorance, many falling away into superstition. Such persons, however, inexcusable, because their error is accompanied with pride and stubbornness.
2. Stubbornness the companion of impiety.
3. No pretext can justify superstition. This proved, first, from reason; and, secondly, from Scripture.
4. The wicked never willingly come into the presence of God. Hence their hypocrisy. Hence, too, their sense of Deity leads to no good result.
Read the text at CCEL.
Participants: Camden Bucey
12 min