Calvin ends his first lecture on Hosea by asking whether Hosea really married a prostitute. Highlighting difficulties in the text, Calvin concludes the prophet spoke in a parable, not intending us to believe that he actually took Gomer as his wife.

This episode explores Luther’s entry into the monastic life, his growing anxieties, the posting of the 95 Theses, and his showing at the Leipzig Disputation. Luther self-consciously associated himself with the Hussite movement, finishing our material chain from the Franciscan Spirituals to the Reformation.

John Wycliffe’s reform movements largely build on the efforts and teachings of Franciscan Spirituals. He went further, challenging what he perceived to be Roman Catholic doctrinal errors. We end by connecting Wycliffe with the Hussite movement, named after the formidable John Huss.

In this episode, Calvin explains why only Jeroboam II is mentioned in 1:1 while four kings of Judah are named, despite Hosea being a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Calvin then holds Hosea up as an example of courage and fidelity of Scripture.

In this lesson, Calvin shows that Hosea’s ministry lasted about 70 years and provides an example of patience for us. He also points us to a difficulty in this verse that we are prone to overlook.

In this episode, we look at a reform movement within the Roman Catholic Church that tried to bring about reform. Francis of Assisi and his friars aimed to be “new fools for Christ” by following the spirituality they found in Scripture rather than those models offered by church tradition. One group — the Franciscan Spirituals — increasingly favored the Bible over and against the papacy, eventually influencing John Wycliffe.

Why did the church need to be reformed? We highlight moral corruptions that plagued the Medieval church in the 1100-1200s and two groups who offered alternative versions of spirituality.

This episodes describes how Calvin’s Hosea commentary was compiled, its purpose, and one practical benefit Calvin believes we should glean from the minor prophets.

Rev 21-22

Rev 17-22