Quotes from John Calvin the swiss reformer

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Christian Worldview of History and Culture Found in Quotes From John Calvin the Swiss Reformer

Christ's spiritual kingdom and the civil jurisdiction are things completely distinct...Yet this distinction does not lead us to consider the whole nature of government a thing polluted, which has nothing to do with Christian men...they are not at variance.

John Calvin, Swiss Reformer, Institutes 4.20.1-2

It is a fact that the law of God which we call moral law is nothing else than a testimony of natural law and of that conscience which God has engraved on the minds of men

Institutes 4.20.14

In the cross of Christ, as in a splendid theater, the incomparable goodness of God is set before the whole world. The glory of God shines, indeed, in all creatures on high and below, but never more brightly than in the cross, in which there was a wonderful change of things - the condemnation of all men was manifested, sin blotted out, salvation restored to men; in short, the whole world was renewed and all things restored to order.

Commentary on the Gospel of John

The cross was accursed, not only in human opinion but by decree of God's law (Deut. 21:23). Hence, when Christ is hanged upon the cross, he makes himself subject to the curse. It had to happen in this way in order that the whole curse - which on account of our sins awaited us, or rather lay upon us - might be lifted from us, while it was transferred to him.

John Calvin, Swiss reformer (Institutes, 21.16.6)

We shall benefit very much from the Sacrament if this thought is impressed and engraved upopn our minds: that none of the brethren can be injured, despised, rejected, abused, or in any way offended by us, without at the same time, injuring, despising, and abusing Christ by the wrongs we do; that we cannot disagree with our brethren without at the same time disagreeing with Christ; that we cannot love Christ without loving him in the brethren; that we ought to take the same care of our brethren's bodies as we take of our own; for they are members of our body; and that, as no part of our body is touched by any feeling of pain which is not spread among all the rest, so we ought not to allow a brother to be affected by any evil, without being touched with compassion for him. Accordingly, Augustine with good reason frequently calls this Sacrament the 'bond of love'.

Institutes 4.17.38

By these words he explains that, in order that the shedding of his sacred blood may not be nullified, our souls are clensed by the secret watering of the Spirit. For the same reason, also Paul, in speaking of cleansing and justification, says that we come to possess both, 'in the name of...Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God' (ICor. 6:11). To sum up, the Holy Spirit is the bond by which Christ effectually unites us to himself.

Instittutes, 3.1.1

Ever since in the creation of the universe he brought forth those insignia whereby he shows his glory to us, whenever and wherever we cast our gaze...And since the glory of his power and wisdom shine more brightly above, heaven is often called his palace. Yet...wherever you cast your eyes, there is no spot in the universe wherein you cannot discern at least some sparks of his glory.

Institutes, 1.5.1

But as for women, this reason holdeth which Paul brought before, that God hath set an order which may in no wise be broken, and must continue even to the world’s end. Seeing man is made to be the woman’s head, and the woman is a part, & as it were an accessory of man, we must follow that order, and as well great as small must submit themselves unto it.

For it [being a Christian] is not a doctrine of the tongue but of life. It is not apprehended by the understanding and memory alone, as other disciplines are, but it is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds a seat and resting place in the inmost affection of the heart.

Quote from John Calvin

We are not our own: let not our reason nor our will, therefore, sway our plans and deeds. We are not our own: let us therefore not set it as our goal to seek what is expedient for us according to the flesh. We are not our own: in so far as we can, let us therefore forget ourselves and all that is ours. Conversely, we are God’s: let us therefore live for him and die for him. We are God’s: let his wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions. We are God’s: let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward him as our only lawful goal.

If it be clear that our afflictions are for our benefit, why should we not undergo them with a thankful and quiet mind?

We are only contending about the true and lawful constitution of the church, required in the communion not only of the sacraments (which are the signs of profession) but also especially of doctrine.

Let it therefore be a fixed point, that a holy unity exits amongst us, when, consenting in pure doctrine, we are united in Christ alone.

The human heart is a factory of idols...Every one of us is, from his mother's womb, expert in inventing idols.

Quote from John Calvin

Although the will of God is the supreme and first cause of all things and God holds the devil and all the impious subject to His will, God nevertheless cannot be called the cause of sin, nor the author of evil, neither is He open to any blame.

John Calvin, Swiss reformer

Although the devil and reprobates are God's servants and instruments to carry out His secret decisions, nevertheless in an incomprehensible manner God so works in them and through them as to contract no stain from their vice, because their malice is used in a just and righteous way for a good end, although the manner is often hidden from us.

John Calvin, Swiss reformer

They act ignorantly and calumniously who say that God is made the author of sin, if all things come to pass by His will and ordinance; because they make no distinction between the depravity of men and the hidden appointments of God.

God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by his Word..."

John Calvin, Swiss Reformer

...that the image of God extends to everything in which the nature of man surpasses that of all other species of animals.

Quote from John Calvin, Swiss reformer

Although God seems only to prescribe that no one, for the purpose of injuring the innocent, should go to court, and publicly testify against him, yet it is plain that the faithful are prohibited from all false accusations, and not only such as are circulated in the streets, but those which are stirred in private housees and secret corners.