Justification - A.W. Pink - Take two

More on Justification. This time Pink quoting John Calvin.

Click here for whole book

“We simply explain justification to be an acceptance by which God receives us into His favour and esteems us as righteous persons; and we say that it consists in the remission of sins and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ… Justification, therefore, is no other than an acquittal from guilt of him who was accused, as though his innocence has been proved. Since God, therefore, justifies us through the mediation of Christ, He acquits us, not by an admission of our personal innocence, but by an imputation of righteousness; so that we, who are unrighteous in ourselves, are considered as righteous in Christ” (John Calvin, 1559).

JUSTIFICATION and SANCTIFICATION

TWO PERFECT THINGS THAT ARE SEPARATE. YET INSEPARABLE.

It is important not to confuse Justification and Regeneration. The being counted righteous by Faith and the fruit of Holiness by the Spirit of God working in us both to will and to do. Two perfect things Justification and Sanctification, when confounded as one and the same thing become one that is corrupt.

When we define justification as meaning, "A perfect right standing before God on the basis of the whole life lived because of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit," this is to make two things that are perfect one. And as one Calvin says this is to corrupt the gospel.

Calvin writes on NOT confusing JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION:
Book III, Chapter 11, Para 6

Osiander on coming to Scripture corrupts every passage which he quotes. Thus when Paul says, "to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness," he expounds justifying as making just. With the same rashness he perverts the whole of the fourth chapter to the Romans. He hesitates not to give a similar gloss to the passage which I lately quoted, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." Here it is plain that guilt and acquittal simply are considered, and that the Apostle's meaning depends on the antithesis. Therefore his futility is detected both in his argument and his quotations for support from Scripture. He is not a whit sounder in discussing the term righteousness, when it is said, that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness after he had embraced Christ (who is the righteousness of God and God himself) and was distinguished by excellent virtues. Hence it appears that two things which are perfect are viciously converted by him into one which is corrupt. For the righteousness which is there mentioned pertains not to the whole course of life; or rather, the Spirit testifies, that though Abraham greatly excelled in virtue, and by long perseverance in it had made so much progress, the only way in which he pleased God was by receiving the grace which was offered by the promise, in faith. From this it follows, that, as Paul justly maintains, there is no room for works in justification.

I0316-Does God Repent? 1.17.12-14

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

Reading from book I, Chapter 17, Section 12 and following. Click here

1.17.12:
Does God Repent? Does God change his mind? Does God alter his plans? Is it necessary for God to react to new circumstances? (to which we answer, "NO") This section of our reading addresses these questions and for very good reasons.

1. The doctrine of providence itself is destroyed with wrong answers to above questions since the wrong answer implies this thing happening will cause a change in God's mind and action in order that God may react to this thing that happened.

2. The wrong answers to the above questions also serve to UNGOD God. For believing that God changes and repents robs God of his omnipotence, his omniscience, his perfection, his absolute sovereignty over absolutely everything.

3. Wrong answers to the above questions lead to the conclusion that there is no eternal plan and perfect purpose with God. A wrong answer would lead to concluding God's decrees could be annulled.

4. Wrong answers to the above questions destroy our comfort and peace in the gospel. For if God changes, then what of eternal election, what of the Father giving to his son a people, what of all things working together for good to them that love God, what of Christ slain from before the foundation of the world.

As a young christian I remember my wife and I befriending another individual a little older than ourselves. Hoping to teach us about prayer and the importance of prayer, this individual explained to us how in prayer we can change God. It may be that God is intent upon this action but we can change His mind, we can alter the course of events from what they otherwise would be. God may repent in response to our prayer. So much depended upon ourselves. Further we were instructed not to pray "if it be thy will." What matters if it be God's will our not. His will may be this but we will pray and change it.

As young believers we were not persuaded by the individual. In some respects we were not equipped to make a good answer. But I do remember at the root of our response which we did give was this truth: That God is Sovereign, that God is in control, that God is God.

WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY:
Isa 14:27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Isa 43:13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? (Let an old word for prevent.)

Isa 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Psa 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Pro 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Eph 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

The above verses serve as a strong confirmation that God does indeed work all things after the counsel of his own will. What the Lord has purposed none can thwart. That He will work and no one can stop him. That His counsel and eternal purpose shall stand for ever.

BUT DON'T THE SCRIPTURES TELL US THAT GOD REPENTS????:
But what of those scriptures that do tell that God repents. They tell us that he repented that he had made man in Gen 6:6. They tell us that God has repented for raising up Saul as king in 1Sam 15:11. Again they tell in Jer 18:8 that God will repent of the evil He had intended towards the nation that turns from their evil. Then there is also Hezekiah who was supposed to die but upon praying God gave him more years. Isa 38:15 and 2Ki 20:15. Or the Ninevites upon whom destruction was pronounced and yet they received a reprieve after all following their own repentance. Jon 3:4-10

How are we to understand these verses which describe God as repenting and changing within the whole analogy of scripture?
Does the Spirit of God mean by these verses that:
"God has not fixed human affairs by an eternal decree, but according to the merits of each individual, and as he deems right and just, disposes of each single year, and day, and hour."

Are we "saying either that he knows not what is to happen, or that he cannot evade it, or that he rushes precipitately and inconsiderately into a resolution, and then forthwith regrets it?"

IN THESES SENSES of REPENTANCE "we must hold that it can no more exist in God than ignorance, or error, or impotence."

NOTE THEN right after the scriptures tell us that it repented God that he had made Saul king. The scriptures also state:

1Sa 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

No figure of speech in this verse. Just plainly stating God is not a man that he should repent.

1.17.13:
13. Scripture speaks of God's "repentance" to make allowance for our understanding What then is meant by the term repentance? The very same that is meant by the other forms of expression, by which God is described to us humanly. Because our weakness cannot reach his height, any description which we receive of him must be lowered to our capacity in order to be intelligible. And the mode of lowering is to represent him not as he really is, but as we conceive of him.

Applying repentance to God: "simply means that his procedure is changed. In the meantime, there is no inversion of his counsel or will, no change of his affection. What from eternity he had foreseen, approved, decreed, he prosecutes with unvarying uniformity, how sudden soever to the eye of man the variation may seem to be."

1.17.14:

DO YOU NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF THREATENING?
If you think concerning the Ninevites or concerning Hezekiah that God's eternal purposes and plans have changed or His decrees annulled: "Those who think so labour under delusion as to the meaning of threatening."

GOD NOT WISHING THEM DESTROYED BUT REFORMED:
"Why did he by Isaiah give Hezekiah intimation of his death? He might have destroyed both them and him without a message to announce the disaster. He had something else in view than to give them a warning of death, which might let them see it at a distance before it came. It was because he did not wish them destroyed but reformed, and thereby saved from destruction."

GOD WISHING TO AROUSE TO REPENTANCE THOSE WHOM HE TERRIFIED WITH THREATENING:
"When Jonah prophesies that in forty days Nineveh will be overthrown, he does it in order to prevent the overthrow. When Hezekiah is forbidden to hope for longer life, it is that he may obtain longer life. Who does not now see that, by threatening of this kind, God wished to arouse those to repentance whom he terrified, that they might escape the judgement which their sins deserved?"

SINCE WE CAN SEE THE PURPOSE OF THE APPARENT CHANGE OF EVENTS IN THESE SCRIPTURES WITHOUT NECESSITATING A CHANGE IN GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE THEN:

We should never conclude that the Lord varies in any way from his eternal purposes, from his eternal council.

"When, by denouncing punishment, he admonishes to repentance those whom he wishes to spare, he paves the way for his eternal decree, instead of varying it one whit either in will or in language."

Calvin concluding chapter 17 with:
"The only difference is, that he does not express, in so many syllables, what is easily understood. The words of Isaiah must remain true, "The Lord of hosts has purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?" (Isaiah 14: 27.)"

The analogy of Scripture, and the study of theology, a grasp of what God has revealed of himself will quickly shut down any notion that God changes, that God is sorry for his own actions and repents of his plans. NEVER, NEVER let such a vile thought be entertained within your own soul. Let the full revelation of scripture speak. Acknowledge God as God. Seek and desire to have only thoughts worthy of the Great God of all the Universe. The Creator of heaven and earth and all that in them lies. God whom ( Job 42:2 ) I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Deu 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

HOLDING to the VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE** will guard us against making scriptures contradict themselves. We may not always understand but we will always believe the fault lies with us and not with GOD. Knowing that all scripture is given by inspiration of God we do not pit scripture against scripture but seek to understand, "what doth the scriptures say?" A high view of scripture and a proper view of God will work together in us by grace that we will not be deceived or deceive ourselves when confronted with some things harder to understand than others. Gal 6:7, 2Tim 3:16-17

click here for an online copy of Gaussen's book, Theopneustia the Verbal Plenary Inspiration of Scripture, which is one of the best books I've ever read. OR click here to purchase from monergism.com.

1Sa 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

** Verbal Plenary Inspiration of Scripture defined as meaning the words themselves are inspired, all of them in their entirety by GOD.

I0307-Use of the Doctrine of Providence 1.17.1

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

"HOW WE MAY APPLY THE DOCTRINE TO OUR GREATEST BENEFIT"

WOW, this chapter opens up with a very solemn warning which serves as a strong motivation to truly understand and seek to understand the doctrine of Providence.

"...it becomes almost impossible for those who do not see the sound and proper use of this doctrine, to avoid entangling themselves in perplexing difficulties." 1.17.1
Said another way -- YOU WILL BE entangled in perplexing difficulties if you do not see the proper use of the doctrine of providence.

Once again, I'm reminded of the great bondage that ensnares those caught up in the Faith Movement. By ascribing so much power to Satan, and so much power to themselves they UNGOD our great God and purchase for themselves great troubles.

Let me explain.

Faith Movement teaches that all sickness comes from the Devil. If you are sick He receives blame.

Faith Movement teaches also that these bad things come upon you, because you lacked Faith. You made a negative confession. A cardinal tenet of the Faith Movement being "Never, Never, never say anything negative or you will perpetuate the problem and doom yourself."

Consider two examples I witnessed personally. A friend was joyfully telling me that God had miraculously healed his back. But then he added, "My back doesn't know it yet. But it is healed." Wrongly ascribing the power of miraculous healing to the necessary magnitude of his own faith.

Second example: several years back an acquaintance made the comment, "oh my eyes hurt." but then immediately with horror upon her face said again, "no they don't -- they don't hurt -- there is nothing wrong with my eyes." Real terror had gripped her having just made a 'negative confession.'

In both examples above, neither individual is really exhibiting true Faith in Christ alone. But rather a faith in the devils ability to torment them if they don't act properly in confessing positively. Or a faith in their own ability and responsibility of 'positively confessing' themselves into health. Neither of them, in these actions, exhibited a trust in our Sovereign, Powerful, Omnipotent God who works all his own purposes according to his own counsel. Neither of them perceived that God truly governed the world by his mighty hand --- so that nothing comes to pass but what he wills and purposes. (this is not to embrace cold, dead, lifeless fatalism - but an embracing of our God, who is our Heavenly Father, who will always do good and right even in the face of apparent present calamity.)

Interestingly I think both the individuals above would affirm the verses that declare the opposite of their present behaviour, ie:

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Psalms 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Psalms 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Isaiah 43:13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? (Read Isaiah 43:10-25)

Ver. 13. Yea, before the day was I am he, &c.] Before there was a day, before the first day of the creation; that is, before time was, or from all eternity, I am he that resolved upon and contrived this method of saving men; "and ever since that day was" {k}, as it may be rendered, I am he that have spoken of it by all the prophets, from the beginning of the world, and now it is accomplished:

and there is none can deliver out of my hand: either such whom the Lord determines to punish, or such whom he resolves to save; none can snatch them out of his hands, there they are safe:

I will work, and who shall let it? as when he wrought the work of creation, there was no opposition to it, or hinderance of him; and in providence all things are done as he pleases; so all his purposes and decrees, which are his works within him, are exactly accomplished according to his pleasure, and none can resist his will. The work of redemption is finished just according to the draught of it in his eternal mind; and when he works upon the heart of a sinner at conversion, whatever obstructions and difficulties are in the way, these are removed, and the work is begun, and carried on, and performed, until the day of Christ. The work of the Lord in his churches, and the setting up of his kingdom in the world, in a more visible and glorious manner, shall be done, and none will be able to hinder it:

who can turn it back? either his work, or his hand in working; his purposes cannot be disannulled; his power cannot be controlled; his work cannot be made void, or of no effect; he always succeeds, for he has no superior that can obstruct him. [John Gill's Commentary, Online Bible 8.0]

Habakkuk 3:6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

But regarding my two exemplar individuals somehow there is a disconnect between truth and practice. Or perhaps an inability to see the conflict and inconsistency between embracing one truth and another truth (which is not truth at all)

OF Course this is but a blatant example where a true understanding of the proper use of the doctrine of providence and other truths as well would serve to alleviate both fears and bondage. Think how terrifying our present economic situation would be, without trusting that even this is of the Lord. Even this is serving his purposes. Think what despair should grasp all of us as we contemplate the destruction of Katrina or the devastation and destruction of 100,000's by tsunami. Think also, what comfort we are robbed at the death of a dear loved one, if we do not know that 'not a sparrow falls without our Father' and 'ye are much more than a sparrow.' Think what fears we bring upon ourselves not truly believing that our future is in the hands of our Heavenly Father who loves us. Who having given for us his son will also with him freely give us all things.

SO Calvin introduces this chapter: "It will, therefore, be proper here to advert to the end which Scripture has in view in teaching that all things are divinely ordained."

Calvin in this chapter intending to show what GOAL and PURPOSE the scriptures have in view when they teach that all things are ordained of GOD. God has given us these scriptures - they are His Word and by these words he absolutely teaches that he is absolutely in control of absolutely all things. Why - it isn't enough to affirm this to be somewhat true in theory - but how do we then make use of them?

Providence embraces the Past and the Future, God overrulling all things, sometimes with means, sometimes without means, and sometimes against means.

God has undertaken the care of the "whole human race, but is especially vigilant in governing the church."

Calvin's words here simply declaring what God has said:
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

John Gill explains this verse very well as follows:
Who is the Saviour of all men; in a providential way, giving them being and breath, upholding them in their beings, preserving their lives, and indulging them with the blessings and mercies of life; for that he is the Saviour of all men, with a spiritual and everlasting salvation, is not true in fact. Specially of those that believe; whom though he saves with an eternal salvation; yet not of this, but of a temporal salvation, are the words to be understood: or as there is a general providence, which attends all mankind, there is a special one which relates to the elect of God; these are regarded in Providence, and are particularly saved and preserved before conversion, in order to be called; and after conversion, after they are brought to believe in Christ, they are preserved from many enemies, and are delivered out of many afflictions and temptations; and are the peculiar care and darlings of providence, being to God as the apple of his eye: and there is a great deal of reason to believe this, for if he is the Saviour of all men, then much more of them who are of more worth, value, and esteem with him, than all the world beside; and if they are saved by him with the greater salvation, then much more with the less; and if he the common Saviour of all men, and especially of saints, whom he saves both ways, then there is great reason to trust in him for the fulfilment of the promises of life, temporal and eternal, made to godliness, and godly persons.
[John Gill, John Gill's Commentary, e-sword, 1Tim 4:10.]

A. T. Robertson adds also:
Not that all men “are saved” in the full sense, but God gives life (1Tim 6:13) to all (Acts 17:28).
[A. T. Robertson, Robertson's Word Pictures, e-sword, 1Tim 4:10]

Matthew Poole:
who is the Saviour, that is, the Preserver, of all men, the Preserver of man and beast, as the psalmist speaketh, is in a more especial manner the Saviour of those that believe, Psa_33:18,19. This seemeth rather to be the sense of the text, than to understand it of eternal salvation, for so God is not the actual Saviour of all; besides that the text seemeth to speak of a work proper to the Father, rather than to the Son.
[Matthew Poole, Commentary by Matthew Poole, e-sword, , 1Tim 4:10.]

John Calvin's Commentary: click here
for the word σωτὴρ “Le mot Grec que nous traduisons Sauveur.” — “The Greek word which we translate Savior.” is here a general term, and denotes one who defends and preserves. He means that the kindness of God extends to all men. And if there is no man who does not feel the goodness of God towards him, and who is not a partaker of it, how much more shall it be experienced by the godly, who hope in him? Will he not take peculiar care in them? Will he not more freely pour out his bounty on them? In a word, will he not, in every respect, keep them safe to the end?

Footnote found in Calvin's Commentaries on verse 1Tim 4:10:
" “The word Savior is not here taken in what we call its proper and strict meaning, in regard to the eternal salvation which God promises to his elect, but it is taken for one who delivers and protects. Thus we see that even unbelievers are protected by God, as it is said (Matthew 5:46) that “he maketh his sun to shine on the good and the bad;” and we see that all are fed by his goodness, that all are delivered from many dangers. In this sense he is called “the Savior of all men,” not in regard to the spiritual salvation of their souls, but because he supports all his creatures. In this way, therefore, our Lord is the Savior of all men, that is, his goodness extends to the most wicked, who are estranged from him, and who do not deserve to have any intercourse with him, who ought to have been struck off from the number of the creatures of God and destroyed; and yet we see how God hitherto extends his grace to them; for the life which he gives to them is a testimony of his goodness. Since, therefore God shows such favor towards those who are strangers to him, how shall it be with us who are members of his household? Not that we are better or more excellent than those whom we see to be cast off by him, but the whole proceeds from his mercy and free grace, that he is reconciled to us through our Lord Jesus Christ, since he hath called us to the knowledge of the gospel, and then confirms us, and seals his bounty toward us, so that we ought to be convinced that he reckons us to be his children. Since, therefore, we see that he nourishes those who are estranged from him, let us go and hide ourselves under his wings; for, having taken us under his protection, he has declared that he will show himself to be a Father toward us.”

Whatever the out workings of God's providence may appear to be, we can be convinced that:
"that the counsel of God was in accordance with the highest reason" 1.17.1

Psa 147:5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

...that his purpose was either: to train his people to patience, correct their depraved affections, tame their wantonness, inure them to self-denial, and arouse them from torpor; or, on the other hand, to cast down the proud, defeat the craftiness of the ungodly, and frustrate all their schemes. How much soever causes may escape our notice, we must feel assured that they are deposited with him, and accordingly exclaim with David, "Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered," (Psa 40:5.)

Walking through the valley of the shadow of death is difficult indeed, we are tested, there is a true trying of our Faith. Trials are trying. Difficulties are difficult. But how much more difficult they are when we do not know the comfort of faith trusting that none of these things are without our God. None of these take him by surprise, none of these things are outside His purpose. None of these things are without Him who works all things together for our good.
"We must use modesty, not as it were compelling God to render an account, but so revering his hidden judgements as to account his will the best of all reasons. When the sky is overcast with dense clouds, and a violent tempest arises, the darkness which is presented to our eye, and the thunder which strikes our ears, and stupefies all our senses with terror, make us imagine that every thing is thrown into confusion, though in the firmament itself all continues quiet and serene. In the same way, when the tumultuous aspect of human affairs unfits us for judging, we should still hold, that God, in the pure light of his justice and wisdom, keeps all these commotions in due subordination, and conducts them to their proper end."

Think of the IMMODESTY of the pastor whose funeral message is: "God did not want this man to pass from us. God did everything he could to prevent his dying. God tried all but it was not enough it was his time."

Let's not in our hearts follow this example.

So I say to my own soul: "purpose to understand the true use of the doctrine of providence. Purpose my soul to acknowledge God as the supreme and only ruler. Purpose my soul not to kick against the providences of God, but to acquiesce, to beleive and trust Him whose ways are perfect, who rules with the highest reason, whose understanding is infinite."

I0305-World Gov'd by Providence 1.16.1-9

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

As I reflect upon Chapter 16, I'm struck that not only the doctrine of Providence but each chapter thus far, each doctrine, each biblical truth when embraced, believed and delighted in serves to work in me praise and worship to God, deeper admiration for his Holy Name and for the beauty of His Majesty. Also these truths working greater confidence, deeper faith, more comfort, more encouragement, more assurance. Is this what is meant by the scriptures when they speak of going from grace to grace, and glory to glory?

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
I can say with Matthew Henry:
"from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

16.1.1
God's "divine power is conspicuous." A "cold and lifeless" - even meaningless existence if we knew only a God who was but an originator of all things and then left those things to run their own course.

But faith knows that God is not only a creator but also the Governor and Perserver of that He has made. Sovereign to the minutest detail: over the falling of every sparrow, the number of hairs on our head. Drawing from Psa 33:6 and Psa 33:16, Calvin gives us this:

David himself showing that the World was created by God:
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

But David not leaving it there "immediately descends to the continual course of Providence:"

Psa 33:13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
So David by the Holy Spirit demonstrating that God is the maker of the world, shows in the words "beholding the sons of men" that God is not setting back with no further active and immediate control. In Calvin's words: "no one could seriously believe that he is its Creator without feeling convinced that he takes care of his works; David with good reason, and in admirable order, leads us from the one to the other."

David speaking by the Spirit of God rises to far greater heights than mere philosphers acknowledging a secret something involved in the affairs of the world when he writes:

Psa 104:27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
Psa 104:28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
Psa 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Psa 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

1.16.2
There is an opinion, which is present in all ages, Calvin says "almost universally prevailing in our own day" and we would agree most certainly also almost universally in our day as well.

" that all things happen fortuitously, the true doctrine of Providence has not only been obscured, but almost buried."

In otherwords all things happen by chance, by luck. There is an equal an opposite error that also denies the sovereign mighty hand of God, that all things happen according to fate. Cold - Distant - hard and lifeless fate.

BUT "But whose has learned from the mouth of Christ that all the hairs of his head are numbered, (Matt 10:30) will look farther for the cause, and hold that all events whatsoever are governed by the secret counsel of God."

1.16.3 Omnipotence

Love the language here - an omnipotence that is vigilant, efficacious, energetic and EVER ACTIVE: "...not the vain, indolent, slumbering omnipotence which sophists feign, but vigilant, efficacious, energetic, and ever active.."

How do you define this word, Omnipotence? All-Powerful. God is all-powerful! All Power is his! None can stand against him! No one and no thing can thwart his eternal perfect plans!

General References from Nave's Topical Reference Bible:
Gen 17:1; Gen 18:14; Job 42:2; Isa 26:4; Mat 19:26; Luk 1:37; Act 26:8; Rev 19:6; Rev 21:22

Also Spurgeon commenting on Psa 135:6 -- click here

Psalms 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Ver. 6. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. His will is carried out throughout all space. The king's warrant runs in every portion of the universe. The heathen divided the great domain; but Jupiter does not rule in heaven, nor Neptune on the sea, nor Pluto in the lower regions; Jehovah rules over all. His decree is not defeated, his purpose is not frustrated: in no one point is his good pleasure set aside. The word "whatsoever" is of the widest range and includes all things, and the four words of place which are mentioned comprehend all space; therefore the declaration of the text knows neither limit nor exception. Jehovah works his will: he pleases to do, and he performs the deed. None can stay his hand. How different this from the gods whom the heathen fabled to be subject to all the disappointments, failures, and passions of men! How contrary even to those so called Christian conceptions of God which subordinate him to the will of man, and make his eternal purposes the football of human caprice. Our theology teaches us no such degrading notions of the Eternal as that he can be baffled by man. "His purpose shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure." No region is too high, no abyss too deep, no land too distant, no sea too wide for his omnipotence: his divine pleasure travels post over all the realm of nature, and his behests are obeyed.

[Treasury of David, Charles H. Spurgeon, Online Bible 8.0]

SO the truth of God's Providential Care over all things even to the minutest detail is a great comfort to us who believe - especially when in trials and adversity. How can it not be when everything which we "endure is by the ordination and command of God," we are "under his hand."

SO THINKING that things move along as they will freely however the course of nature may run is DOUBLY BAD.

1) God is defrauded of his glory.
2) Those thinking thus are robbed of a great comfort.
"for nothing were more wretched than man if he were exposed to all possible movements of the sky, the air, the earth, and the water."

RESOLVE now to be blessed with the DOUBLE BENEFIT:
1) For God is able to reward them who thus honor him in praise of his divine omnipotence.
2) We can rest secure in the protection of God who controls everything that could ever harm us - it is all subject to Him and can go only thus far as His purposes and no further.

There is no "RANDOM POWER" and "nothing happens but what he has knowingly and willingly decreed."

1.16.4
God is not sitting idly by.

He "holds the helm and overrules all events."

Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

God will provide --- God not only knows the future these words mean much more -- Abraham was trusting that the future itself was in God's hands. He could "resign the management of an unknown business to the will of him whose providence is to bring perplexed and dubious matters to a happy result."


A GRIEVOUS ERROR EXPLAINED:
To assert that God only influences and works with contingencies asserting his power to bring his purpose to pass but not certainly -- not by a divine decree - but only by the exercise of a power that REACTS.

This is making man a "partner with God."

Sounds like we are reading here of what is called today, OPEN THEISM. Or maybe it is just old-fashioned arminianism.

TO WITHHOLD Government from God makes God a the ruler of the world in name only.
Jesus and the Father have always been at work from the beginning:
John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

We live in him and have our being in him:
Act 17:28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Upholding all things: Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Nothing by Chance Nothing by luck: "The thing to be proved, therefore, is, that single events are so regulated by God, and all events so proceed from his determinate counsel, that nothing happens fortuitously."

1.16.6 Scripture espeically showing that EVERYTHING done in the world is according to God's decree, declares that things that seem most likely ascribed to chance or luck are indeed subject to GOD:

Such as the accidental death of one man at the hands of another:
Exo 21:13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

Which John Gill explains thus: "it being suffered and ordered by the providence of God, without whose knowledge and will nothing comes to pass, even what may seem to be a contingent thing, or matter of chance, to us; or it is so brought about in providence, that one man falls into the hands of another, and his life is taken away by him, though not purposely and maliciously; "
What could appear to be more the work of chance than the casting of Lots, rolling of dice?:
Pro 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Who is poor and who is rich, their "lot" in life we call it - not so that this is Random says the Lord. And so we should learn some contentment:

Pro 29:13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

Psa 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
Psa 75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

1.16.7 Particular Events are the special providences of God
Note: Exo 19:13, "where God caused a south wind to blow, and brought the people a plentiful supply of birds."
Note: Psa 104:3-4 "did he not at pleasure drive the clouds and winds and therein manifest the special presence of his power."

See also: Psa 107:25 and Psa 107:29 and Amos 4:9.

God withholding children from Rachel: Gen 30:2
"Nothing in nature is more ordinary than that we should be nourished with bread. But the Spirit declares not only that the produce of the earth is God's special gift, but "that man does not live by bread only," (Deut. 8: 3,) because it is not mere fulness that nourishes him but the secret blessing of God."

GOD MAY EMPLOY all creatures for His own service in whatever way he wishes. Both the righteous and the wicked.

Psa 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Psa 34:16 The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

"Hence we infer, not only that the general providence of God, continuing the order of nature, extends over the creatures, but that by his wonderful counsel they are adapted to a certain and special purpose."
1.16.8 DEFENSE against the accusation that all that is taught here as providence is really just FATE as held by the stoics.

1) The idea of Fate is a "Profane Novelety" which we are to shun: 1Tim 6:20

2) It is the use of an "odious term, to fix a stigma on the truth of God."

3) The stoics teach that there is a necessity of a perpetual chain of causes, and a kind of involved series contained in nature. WE HOLD that God is the disposer and ruler of all things. THIS IS INSIGHTFUL.

4) Contrary to the stoical fate - we believe in a God who decreed by infinite wisdom and according to His own eternal purposes long ago what he was to do, and now HE DOES WHAT HE DECREED HE WOULD.
"by his providence, not heaven and earth and inanimate creatures only, but also the counsels and wills of men are so governed as to move exactly in the course which he has destined."

5) But do we not admit that some things happen by chance, by coincidence, by fortune. "that Fortune and Chance are heathen terms; the meaning of which ought not to occupy pious minds."

6) All Blessings are from God. All calamity and adversity are his curse. What then there is nothing left for chance to bring about.

1.16.9 Our minds are limited
Though we know by revelation and by faith that all things are of the Lord. Yet their movements, their comings about are so hidden from us that they do appear to us to be by chance. Thanks be to God, that we have been made new creatures in Christ, given a new heart, and precious Faith. It is certain to us that all things happen under the government of God. (Calvin makes the parenthetical statement - "far be such a heartless thought from every Christian breast" that should imagine things truly come by chance.) Future events seem uncertain to us. But in our hearts we know that nothing happens outside the eternal purposes of our Great God.

"What seems to us contingence, faith will recognise as the secret impulse of God."

"The reason is not always equally apparent, but we ought undoubtedly to hold that all the changes which take place in the world are produced by the secret agency of the hand of God."
In conclusion, I confess I have not yet learned brevity. These notes are long. But then this truth is precious, and so precious that I am encouraged to search the scriptures further knowing a further and deeper convincing by the Spirit of God awaits me that this doctrine is True, comforting and God exalting. That God who made the heavens and the earth and all that lies within them does also rule over all things bringing to past all His perfect eternal unchanging purposes. It will be for our good, because we are HIS, we are in His Son, we belong to Him and were bought with a precious price, even the blood of Jesus Christ. If God has given for us his only-begotten son how will he not with him freely give us all things. All things working together for good, to them that love God, to the called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

I0304-Image of God in the Soul of Man 1.15.3ff

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

What is meant by "Image of God" in the Scripture which reads?:

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

To the one who understands this to refer the idea that our bodies are made to look like God. As though the image of God refers to external appearance Calvin writes:
"...extending the image of God indiscriminately as well to the body as to the soul, confounds heaven with earth."

Looking at what it is that man is restored to in Christ sheds some understanding on what it means to be made in the "image of God."

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

To these verses Robert L. Reymond writes:

"The allusion in these verse to Gen 1:26-27 is inescable, and the renewal through Christ is described in terms of true righteousness and holiness in the former verse and in terms of knowledge in the latter verse. " Robert L. Reymond, A New Systematic Theolgy of The Christian Faith, Thomas Nelson Publishers, P 429.
And the Westminster Confession of Faith affirms that this was their understanding as well:
"Chap 4. II. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female,[4] with reasonable and immortal souls,[5] endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image;" click here

SO CALVIN Further adds: "To the same effect Paul elsewhere says, that beholding the glory of Christ with unveiled face, we are transformed into the same image (II Cor 3:18). We now see how Christ is the most perfect image of God, into which we are so renewed as to bear the image of God in knowledge, purity, righteousness, and true holiness."

Once again Calvin writes a denial that this IMAGE refers to bodily form:
"This being established, the imagination of Osiander, as to bodily form, vanishes of its own accord. "

Futher (and note the explanation of John 1:4)
"The same thing, in different terms, is declared by St John when he says, that the light which was from the beginning, in the eternal Word of God, was the light of man, (John 1:4.) His object being to extol the singular grace of God in making man excel the other animals, he at the same time shows how he was formed in the image of God, that he may separate him from the common herd, as possessing not ordinary animal existence, but one which combines with it the light of intelligence."

But with the FALL ruined, corrupted, tainted with impurity:
"Therefore, as the image of God constitutes the entire excellence of human nature, as it shone in Adam before his fall, but was afterwards vitiated and almost destroyed, nothing remaining but a ruin, confused, mutilated, and tainted with impurity, so it is now partly seen in the elect, in so far as they are regenerated by the Spirit. Its full lustre, however, will be displayed in heaven."
Concerning the Worlds View of man unenlightened by scripture:
"Thus they always presuppose in man a reason by which he is able to guide himself aright."

The World's wisdom confounds the two states of man, before and after the fall:
"For philosophers, being unacquainted with the corruption of nature, which is the punishment of revolt, erroneously confound two states of man which are very different from each other."

An attempt to describe the will and the intellect as the two parts of which the soul consist:
"Not to lose ourselves in superfluous questions, let it be enough to know that the intellect is to us, as it were, the guide and ruler of the soul; that the will always follows its beck, and waits for its decision, in matters of desire."
SO WHY DID ADAM FALL OR WHY WAS HE ABLE TO FALL:
"Adam, therefore, might have stood if he chose, since it was only by his own will that he fell; but it was because his will was pliable in either directions and he had not received constancy to persevere, that he so easily fell."

"There was soundness of mind and freedom of will to choose the good. If any one objects that it was placed, as it were, in a slippery position, because its power was weak, I answer, that the degree conferred was sufficient to take away every excuse. For surely the Deity could not be tied down to this condition, - to make man such, that he either could not or would not sin. Such a nature might have been more excellent; but to expostulate with God as if he had been bound to confer this nature on man, is more than unjust, seeing he had full right to determine how much or how little He would give."

Further more - if you would charge God with not giving Adam enough power so as not to fall:
"Why He did not sustain him by the virtue of perseverance is hidden in his counsel; it is ours to keep within the bounds of soberness. Man had received the power, if he had the will, but he had not the will which would have given the power; for this will would have been followed by perseverance. Still, after he had received so much, there is no excuse for his having spontaneously brought death upon himself. No necessity was laid upon God to give him more than that intermediate and even transient will, that out of man's fall he might extract materials for his own glory."

So What does it mean to be created in the image of God?

What have we fallen from and to what will we be restored in Christ but this same image of God which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

I0304-Proof of the Existence of the Soul 1.15.2

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

Just a few highlights from Book I, Chapter 15, Section 2.

Thesis: the soul, "an immortal though created essence, which is his nobler part. Sometimes he is called a spirit."

Observe:
The soul is immortal.
The soul is created.
The soul is the nobler part of man.
The soul equivalent with spirit when these words are used by themselves alone.

DIGRESSION:
This section did raise a question for me which I have not fully solved. Is man a body, soul and spirit? Or does man consist of only two parts: Body and Soul? Soul and Spirit being synonymous terms. From the reading of section two, I gathered that Calvin is saying almost both, though I think best to understand him meaning that man consists of two parts only body and soul. Spirit and soul are equivalent terms. But when they appear together the spirit is not referring to a 3rd component of man but his intellectual faculty.

"But though the two terms, while they are used together differ in their meaning, still, when spirit is used by itself it is equivalent to soul."

Soul and Spirit are used synonymously in scripture, and yet there is also a distinction between the two. For my part, this description fairly well describes my own position. I'm uneasy being absolutely dogmatic that there is no distinction between soul and spirit on the one hand but on the other one must be very careful when making this distinction.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

This comes to the point of this little digression. It has been my experience that some teachers assure us in very strong terms that man consists in three parts and then they go on to define exactly what is body, and especially what is spirit and what is soul. Then based on this precise and full distinction between the three a whole ministry is established. And again without casting too wide a net (for some do hold this distinction without the errors I'm to which I'm referring), I want to add that such a ministry established upon such a premise has answers for us which cannot be found in the Bible. Since the spirit is such and such these teachers make such and such a prescription and likewise with the soul. Since they know exactly where spirit stops and soul begins another set of remedies is prescribed to treat the soul. Again, I am speaking of ministries that base their answers to those three questions on how they view the soul and the Spirit:

1) Who Am I?
2) Why do I do what I do?
3) How can I change?

Their description of soul and spirit applies to questions one and two. And how can I change arises from their view of soul and spirit.

So what to do? I would be careful, when a teaching approaches me, purporting to know exactly how to divide asunder soul and spirit. And then having so divided builds a whole new set of answers to the above three questions. Let's be careful understanding that like Calvin wrote, these terms when used together do have a difference but when by itself is equivalent to the soul.

I appreciate these words from Calvin's commentary on Heb 4:12: click here

The word soul means often the same with spirit; but when they occur together, the first includes all the affections, and the second means what they call the intellectual faculty. So Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, uses the words, when he prays God to keep their spirit, and soul, and body blameless until the coming of Christ, (1Th_5:23,) he meant no other thing, but that they might continue pure and chaste in mind, and will, and outward actions. Also Isaiah means the same when he says,

“My soul desired thee in the night; I sought thee with my spirit.” (Isa_26:9.)

What he doubtless intends to show is, that he was so intent on seeking God, that he applied his whole mind and his whole heart. I know that some give a different explanation; but all the sound­ minded, as I expect, will assent to this view.

ALSO John Gill on Heb 4:12:
...the apostle's meaning seems to be this, that whereas the soul and spirit are invisible, and the joints and marrow are covered and hid; so sharp and quick sighted, and so penetrating is the divine Word, that it reaches the most secret and hidden things of men: and this sense is confirmed by what follows,

Matthew Henry also:
... it pierces to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit, the soul and its habitual prevailing temper; it makes a soul that has been a long time of a proud spirit to be humble, of a perverse spirit to be meek and obedient. Those sinful habits that have become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it, and become in a manner one with it, are separated and cut off by this sword. It cuts off ignorance from the understanding, rebellion from the will, and enmity from the mind, which, when carnal, is enmity itself against God.

Perhaps also we should learn from Heb 4:12 that the very impossibility of dividing between soul and spirit is so great and that this is a magnification of the power of the Word of God which alone is able to divide them.

END OF DIGRESSION:

Proof of the existence of the soul separate from the body:

Conscience:
"Conscience, which, distinguishing, between good and evil, responds to the judgement of God, is an undoubted sign of an immortal spirit."

The workings of the human mind:
"But the swiftness with which the human mind glances from heaven to earth, scans the secrets of nature, and, after it has embraced all ages, with intellect and memory digests each in its proper order, and reads the future in the past, clearly demonstrates that there lurks in man a something separated from the body."

Manifold Scriptures:
"Were not the soul some kind of essence separated from the body, Scripture would not teach that we dwell in houses of clay (Job 4:19), and at death remove from a tabernacle of flesh; that we put off that which is corruptible, in order that, at the last day, we may finally receive according to the deeds done in the body."

Job 4:19
2Cor 5:4
2Peter 1:13
2Cor 5:10
2Cor 7:1 Cleaning both flesh and spirit, "showing two parts where taint of sin resides."
1Peter 2:25 Shepherd of souls "how absurd if there were no souls to shepherd."
1Peter 1:9
1Peter 2:11 fleshly lusts warring against the soul, certainly shows the separate existence of the soul.
Heb 13:17
2Cor 1:23
Matt 10:28
Luk 12:5
Heb 12:9
Luk 16:22
2Cor 5:6
Acts 23:8 the Sadducees believing in neither angel or spirit. Jesus cites this grievous error.

This little section is a wonderful demonstration of reasoning from and drawing our truth from the scripture alone. I'll close this post with the entire quote, not only so you can read Calvin's proofs for separate existence of the soul which has an essence but also so we can learn by example to found all doctrine upon the Word of God alone:

"Again, when Paul exhorts believers to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit (II Cor. 7:1), he shows that there are two parts in which the taint of sin resides. Peter, also, in calling Christ the Shepherd and Bishop of souls (I Peter 2:25), would have spoken absurdly if there were no souls towards which he might discharge such an office. Nor would there be any ground for what he says concerning the eternal salvation of souls (I Peter 1:9), or for his injunction to purify our souls, or for his assertion that fleshly lusts war against the soul (I Peter 2:11p); neither could the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews say, that pastors watch as those who must give an account for our souls (Heb. 13:17p), if souls were devoid of essence. To the same effect Paul calls God to witness upon his soul (II Cor 1:23), which could not be brought to trial before God if incapable of suffering punishment. This is still more clearly expressed by our Saviour, when he bids us fear him who, after he has killed the body, is able also to cast into hell fire (Matt 10:28; Luke 12:5). Again when the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews distinguishes the fathers of our flesh from God, who alone is the Father of our spirits (Heb. 12:9), he could not have asserted the essence of the soul in clearer terms. Moreover, did not the soul, when freed from the fetters of the body, continue to exist, our Saviour would not have represented the soul of Lazarus as enjoying blessedness in Abraham s bosom, while, on the contrary, that of Dives was suffering dreadful torments (Luke 16:22-23). Paul assures us of the same thing when he says, that so long as we are present in the body, we are absent from the Lord (II Cor. 5:6,8). Not to dwell on a matter as to which there is little obscurity, I will only add, that Luke mentions among the errors of the Sadducees that they believed neither angel nor spirit (Acts 23:8)."

I0228-Reading 1.15.1

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.
15.1.1

Of no small importance is the following statement as we open this chapter concerning the two-fold knowledge of ourselves necessary to properly know God.
"first, to the condition in which we were at first created; and, secondly to our condition such as it began to be immediately after Adam's fall."

The condition in which man was created, which we were created in Adam as the first man, is a paramount truth we should not forget. That our Great God could say "let us make man in our image" and then upon completion look around at all His creation and say "it is VERY good" is no small truth and no small part of understanding the gospel.

Secondly of equal importance is understanding that we have fallen from that first condition.

There are three questions which interest us very much, questions that perhaps take different form in different cultural settings, but boil down to this.

1) Who am I? (this includes also, "why am I here, what is my purpose?)
2) Why do I do what I do?
3) How can I change?

These three questions are very much spiritual in nature and are answered spiritually. Not psychologically, not according to man's wisdom. For example in the negative: We should not answer saying "I am the center of the universe, I am very worthy of self-esteem and self-love and self-respect. I am basically good inside, I do what I do when I suppress my basic inner goodness. I do what I do because I do not love myself appropriately or because I do not have a high self-esteem. I can change by believing in myself, by listening to my heart, by loving myself, by thinking positive thoughts, etc.

The first two questions are dealt with in Calvin's opening statement regarding the two-fold knowledge of ourselves. 1) to understand our condition in which we were first created and 2) understanding our condition subsequent to Adam's fall.

The third question is answered in the gospel of grace. Ye must be born again.

With these three questions in mind, the glory of God ever before me (my purpose in being) I greatly look forward to continuing on in our daily reading.

These three questions and the biblical revelation that answers them impact our lives in multiplied ares. How we can be a good husband, a good father, understanding our children and how to raise them, conducting ourselves in business, even in the establishment of governments. (thinking of the check band balances of our own Republic necessary and arising from an understanding of the fallen nature of man.)

Thanks be to God who gives wisdom to understand ourselves and to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

I0224-Providence Applied

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.

Jim makes the following application from our reading on Providence.

I am just amazed at Gods providence in having me read Calvin right now and especially now on reading the doctrine of Providence. I am overwhelmed by the needed confirmations we are receiving as I read everyday. Knowing that God is in control of all things gives us such great peace and rest. I have been reminded of the scripture in Hebrews four that says, "there is a rest for the people of God". Resting is certainly knowing Gods sovereignty in all things. How gracious our Father is to give us this wisdom to rest our thoughts and minds as we struggle with the enemy and with the flesh. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" while you rest in Him!

"But when once the light of Divine Providence has illumined the believer's soul, he is relieved and set free, not only from the extreme fear and anxiety which formerly oppressed him, but from all care. For as he justly shudders at the idea of chance, so he can confidently commit himself to God. This, I say, is his comfort, that his heavenly Father so embraces all things under his power--so governs them at will by his nod--so regulates them by his wisdom, that nothing takes place save according to his appointment; that received into his favour, and entrusted to the care of his angels neither fire, nor water, nor sword, can do him harm, except in so far as God their master is pleased to permit." 1.17.11 click here

I0219-Angels and Demons 1.14.3ff

This post is part of our group read of the Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin.
Scattered Observations concerning the Doctrine of Angels and Demons:

"This branch of doctrine is very necessary for the refutation of numerous errors."

Hmm, I really concur in this statement. And am thankful for the scriptural instruction concerning angels and demons which follow.

Concerning this subject Calvin gives a warning similar to many others which consists in two rules:
1) not to speak, think, long to know what is not revealed.
2) When reading scripture look for edification not curiosity.

DIONYSUS:
I found the discussion of Dionysus to be quite illuminating. Giving the following statement -

"Wherefore, if we would be duly wise, we must renounce those vain babblings of idle men, concerning the nature, ranks, and number of angels, without any authority from the Word of God."

Calvin then uses Dionysus as an example. "When you read the work of Dionysus, you would think that the man had come down from heaven."

Have you been exposed to such men? They have such an ability to really cause one to fear not to listen to their incredible insight. Fear that here in this man's teaching and experience is an opportunity one dare not pass up. BUT HALT, and praise God with all you have that he has provided such a testimony from PAUL, a divinely inspired testimony, the testimony of one who was made an apostle by JESUS CHRIST.

2Co 12:3-4 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

and again:
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Matthew Poole writes on Col 2:18:
and therefore they would pay a religious homage to angels, as of a middle nature between God and them, presuming they would mediate for them: an instance to express all that invented worship, which, how specious soever it may seem to be, hath no warrant from Christ, who alone can procure acceptance of our persons and services. He expects that his disciples should assert his rights, and the liberty with which he hath made them free, against the traditions of self-willed men, and no more to solemnize for worship, than teach for doctrines, the traditions of men, Mat 15:2,6,9. We must not, under any pretext of humility, presume to know what belongs to our duty and God’s service better than Christ doth, showing us that he alone is the true and living way, and we may come boldly by him, Mat 11:28 Joh 14:1,6 Eph 3:12 Heb 4:16 Heb 10:19,20. And therefore the adoring and invocating of angels as heavenly courtiers, whatever the papists out of a show of humility do argue, is not after Christ, but against him.

So then the next time someone comes to you with doctrines of angels and demons that go beyond the revelation of Holy Scripture, doctrines that offer to show you the secrets of how to win over an angel to do your bidding, that describe the angelic government and organization with the knowledge of one who has been privy to their secret meetings, remember that God has given us a witness that even though there was a man caught up into paradise yet the things he heard were 'unspeakable words', 'not lawful...to utter'.

Seek rather such teaching designed "not to tickle the ear, but confirm the conscience."

1.14.5 The nature, offices, and various names of angels.

Hosts: They are called hosts (Luke 2:13), because they surround their Prince as his court...

Great in Number: "thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him," (Dan. 7: 10.)"

Dominions, Powers, Governments: "his government of the world is exercised and administered by them." (Col. 1:16; Eph. 1:21; I Cor. 15:24.)

1.14.6 Angels are ministers of God's bounty toward us:
They watch for our safety psa 90:11-12
They undertake our defense.
Angels ministered to Christ (Matt. 4:11); (Luke 22:43); (Acts 1:10)
(Gen. 16:9), II Kings 19:35; Isaiah 37:36; (Judg. 2:1; 6:11; 13:3-20);

1.14.7 On Guardian Angels
"If any one does not think it enough to know that all the orders of the heavenly host are perpetually watching for his safety, I do not see what he could gain by knowing that he has one angel as a special guardian. Those, again, who limit the care which God takes of each of us to a single angel, do great injury to themselves and to all the members of the Church, as if there were no value in those promises of auxiliary troops, who on every side encircling and defending us, embolden us to fight more manfully."
1.14.8 Dogmatizing on the Ranks and Numbers of Angels
"Farther than this, in regard both to the ranks and numbers of angels, let us class them among those mysterious subjects, the full revelation of which is deferred to the last day, and accordingly refrain from inquiring too curiously, or talking presumptuously."

1.14.9 Concerning Angels, there is one Truth we should certainly Hold to:
"Angels are ministering spirits." Heb 1:14

There are thousands and legions of angels.
They rejoice.
Bear up the faithful in their hands.
Carrying their souls to rest
Beholding the face of their Father
The law was enacted in the hands of angels.
The elect will be like angels.
Christ will return with the holy angels.
ANGELS are Real.
Souls of believers together with holy angels in heaven.
Angels of children are said to behold the face of God.
Defend us by their protection.
Rejoice in our salvation.
Admire the manifold grace of God in the Church.
Are under Christ.
Various verses: Luk 15:10; Psa 19:11; Matt 4:6; Luk 4:10; Luk 4:16; Luke 4:22; Matt 18:10; Acts 7:55; Gal 3:19; Matt 22:30; Matt 24:36; Eph 3:10; 1Pet 1:12; Heb 1:6; Psa 97:7

1.14.10 The heathen error of placing angels on the throne of God refuted.

Regarding the superstition of surpplanting Christ with angels in his offices, among the corruptions which we now oppose, there is scarcely any one of greater antiquity.
1.14.11 Why does God employ angels instead of acting directly?
Not because he must, not of necessity: "Therefore, when he employs them it is as a help to our weakness, that nothing may be wanting to elevate our hopes or strengthen our confidence. It ought, indeed, to be sufficient for us that the Lord declares himself to be our protector. But when we see ourselves beset by so many perils, so many injuries, so many kinds of enemies, such is our frailty and effeminacy, that we might at times be filled with alarm, or driven to despair, did not the Lord proclaim his gracious presence by some means in accordance with our feeble capacities. For this reason, he not only promises to take care of us, but assures us that he has numberless attendants, to whom he has committed the charge of our safety, that whatever dangers may impend, so long as we are encircled by their protection and guardianship, we are placed beyond all hazard of evil."

I found this paragraph above especially encouraging, and I think a precious comfort I had not too much considered before. What a gracious God. So Calvin adds the example of Elisha:

2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

1.14.12 Use of the Doctrine of Angels
Employ it to strengthen your confidence in God.
"Since the Lord has provided us with such protection, let us not be terrified at the multitude of our enemies as if they could prevail notwithstanding of his aid, but let us adopt the sentiment of Elisha, that more are for us than against us (II Kings 6:16) "

DOCTRINE regarding DEMONS:
1.14.13 We are warned in scripture so as to be put on guard.

"For when Satan is called the god (II Cor. 4:4) and ruler of this world (John 12:31), the strong man armed (Luke 11:21; cf Matt 12:29), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), the roaring lion (I Peter 5:8), the object of all these descriptions is to make us more cautious and vigilant, and more prepared for the contest."

1.14.14 To excite our feelings the more strongly to our duty -- we learn we have not one or two enemies but a great HOST of them.

Christ is our head -- but the scriptures teach that the demons also have a prince by stating:
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

1.14.15 The devil is our adversary and the adversary of our God.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

1.14.16 The devil is not wicked FROM CREATION but from depravation.
Even this day I had a conversation with a brother similar to this, as we discussed how it is that the devil is wicked - since God made him. Did God make him wicked?

Calvin draws from Joh 8:44 to show: "... although the expressions are brief and not very explicit, they are amply sufficient to vindicate the majesty of God from every calumny."
(calumny -a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something:)
Do not ascribe wickedness to God. "Do not ascribe to God what is foreign to his nature."

When Satan lies, "he speaketh of his own" why? "because he abode not in truth." This very phrase teaches us that he once was in the truth. He did not continue to abide in it. He does not speak of God when he lies but he speaks of his own because he did not continue in truth. He speaks of "his own." that is not of God. Satan alone bears the responsibility.

Satan is the Father of Lies, "by calling him the father of lies, he puts it out of his power to charge God with the depravity of which he was himself the cause."

But what else can we know about the fall of Satan and his Angels? Where can we ascertain these secrets? Calvin responds:
The Holy Spirit could not deign to feed curiosity with idle, unprofitable histories. We see it was the Lord's purpose to deliver nothing in his sacred oracles which we might not learn for edification. Therefore, instead of dwelling on superfluous matters, let it be sufficient for us briefly to hold, with regard to the nature of devils, that at their first creation they were the angels of God, but by revolting they both ruined themselves, and became the instruments of perdition to others. As it was useful to know this much, it is clearly taught by Peter and Jude; "God," they say, "spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved unto judgement," (II Pet. 2:4; Jude ver. 6.) And Paul, by speaking of the elect angels (I Tim. 5:21), obviously draws a tacit contrast between them and reprobate angels.

1.14.17 We learn an IMPORTANT FACT - Satan cannot possibly do anything against the will and consent of God.

READ JOB.

SATAN is Under the Power of God.
Satan resists God. ... he eagerly, and of set purpose opposes God,...But as God holds him bound and fettered by the curb of his power, he executes those things only for which permission has been given him, and thus, however unwilling, obeys his Creator, being forced, whenever he is required, to do Him service.

1.14.18 SO GOD employs unclean spirits in exercising believers by warring against them, assailing them with wiles...disturbing, alarming, and occassionaly wounding, but never conquering or oppressing them.

But the wicked they hold in thralldom, exercise dominion over their minds and bodies, and employ them as bond-slaves in all kinds of iniquity.

Neither give place to the devil. Eph 4:27
Your adversary the devil...resist stedfast in the faith. 1Pet 5:8
Paul acknowledges this contest... A messenger of Satan... 2Cor 12:7

1.14.19 As Angels are real so also are DEMONS real.

Many scriptures speak to this, "neither few nor obscure."

Matt 12:43
Jude 1:6
Children of God contrasted with Children of the devil. 1John 3:8
Michael the archangel contending with the devil. JUDE 1:9
These demons will be punished. Matt 8:29; Matt 25:41; 2PET 2:4

"How absurd the expressions, that devils are doomed to eternal punishment, that fire is prepared for them, that they are even now excruciated and tormented by the glory of Christ, if there were truly no devils at all?"

Conclusion: there is so much confusion today concerning both Angels and Demons. On the one hand there are those that ascribe too much to both. Taking eyes off Christ and looking for angels to do what properly belongs to Him. Plus giving the adoration, prayers and worship that is God's alone to angels - what grievous horrific abomination. And then seeing a demon under every rock, not recognizing that if you belong to Christ he has delivered you. Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. Perhaps seeing some kind of dualism as though the devil were an equal and opposite of God himself. Blaming your problems not on your own sin, your own lack of faith in Christ and obedience to his word, but rather saying, "I know I'm saved but now I need to be delivered from these demons plaguing me." or "I'm only a victim here of a demonic influence - I can't love my wife properly until I get rid of this demon." Belittling the work of Christ in salvation making it only a little thing compared to what a deliverance minister can do, men greatly error. Some teaching that your real problem lies in some demon hanging onto you because of the sin of your great-great-grandmother. Repent for her sin and loose the bonds of which that demon holds you - these destroy the simplicity that is in Christ.

One the other hand some deny the existence of angels and demons altogether. Not knowing or believing the scripture they greatly dishonour God.

Calvin well spoke when he said we must consider the biblical truths concerning demons and angels in order to refute numerous errors.