Calvin's Institutes: Christian Living

Here are some further excerpts from Calvin's Institutes, with regards to Christian living:

Ever since God exhibited Himself to us as a Father, we must be convicted of extreme ingratitude if we do not in turn exhibit ourselves as His sons. Ever since Christ purified us by the laver of His blood, and communicated this purification by baptism, it would ill become us to be defiled with new pollution. Ever since He ingrafted us into His body, we, who are His members, should anxiously beware of contracting any stain or taint. Ever since He who is our head ascended to heaven, it is befitting in us to withdraw our affections from the earth, and with our whole soul aspire to heaven. Ever since the Holy Spirit dedicated us as temples to the Lord, we sould make it our endeavor to show forth the glory of God, and guard against being profaned by the defilement of sin. Ever since our soul and body were destined to heavenly incorruptibility and an unfading crown, we should earnestly strive to keep them pure and uncorrupted against the day of the Lord.

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Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; it is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning; but is received only when it possess the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart. (p. 4)

For in the first place, God uniformly recommands integrity as the principle part of His worship, meaning by integrity real singleness of mind, devoid of gloss and fiction, and to this is opposed a double mind; as if it had been said that the spiritual commencement of a good life is when the internal affections are sincerely devoted to God, and in the cultivation of holiness and justice. (p. 5)

ALTHOUGH the Law of God contains a perfect rule of conduct admirably arranged, it has seemed proper to our divine Master to train His people by a more accurate method, to the rule which is enjoined in the Law; the leading principle in the method is, that it is the duty of believers to present their "bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable service" (Rom. xii. 1). Hence He draws the exhortation: "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God". The great point, then, is, that we are consecrated and dedicated to God, and therefore should not henceforth think, speak, design, or act, without a view to His glory. (p. 7)

[John Calvin (1559), Institutes of the Christian Religion Vol. II, Translated by Henry Beveridge. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Publishing Co, MI, USA]

From the first paragraph quoted, it can be seen that Calvin believed that a Christian is someone with a new nature who desires God and thus aim to please Him. Repentance and obedience to Christ are therefore believed by Calvin to be the fruits of regeneration, and therefore thus it can be seen that the Reformer did not believe in some form of 'free grace theory' aka Antinomianism. Echoing what Jn. 14:15 and Jn. 15:10 teaches, Calvin shows here how obedience is tied in with the Christian walk, that though we are saved by sovereign grace, we manifest our love for God by obeying His commandments. Also, because we have been saved by our loving God who hates sin, we would also acquire a hatred of sin in some measure while we are still on earth, and strive to be holy, as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

The second passage quoted shows Calvin's view of doctrine and theology not to be some intellectual discourse with no real practical applications. In his own words, they are "received only when it possess the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart". Given that doctrine is the expression of our knowledge of our true God, knowing God would necessitate knowing doctrines. As such, all Christians should aspire to know doctrines, although perhaps not as detailed as theologians do. Calvin further states that doctrine is more than just being intellectually grasped. Therefore, if a doctrine doesn't seem to be practical in our sancitification, either we have not grasped it at all, or such doctrine is not true doctrine but it is false. Calvin and the other Reformers, as should we, should have no liking for most of the current things being taught in New Evangelical seminaries nowadays, like Church Growth ideas, Psychology for counselling etc.

In the next paragraph, Calvin calls us to singleness of mind in serving God. We are not to be double minded in our devotion to Christ, lest we should be committing spiritual adultery, like what the ancient Israelites did and were punished most severely for it. Also, as it is written, "You cannot serve God and money" (Mt. 6:24ff, cf Ex. 20:3). And "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Lk. 9:62). As such, we should be single-minded when we follow Christ, and not to let the trappings of the world distract our love for Christ.

The last quoted paragrah shows us the link between the Law of God as stated in the Old Testament and the Law of Christ, in that the Law of Christ in the New Testament is a more accurate method in that it gives us a better principle whereby to follow. The Law in the Old Testamment however (which Calvin had earlier in his Institutes shown), is to "remove the obscurity of the law of nature" (Vol. I, p. 317) in order that we might be certain with regards to our righteousness, "how far it is from being in accordance with the will of God" (Vol. I, p. 318) and therefore we are convicted of our depravity and "look to some other quarter for help" (Vol. I, p. 318), which is the Gospel. It also thus delivers to us "a perfect rule of righteousness" (Vol. I, p. 319) which reflects the character of God. As such, the Law in the OT shows us the standard and holiness of God which we are to obey, but the overarching principle which governs all and help to cover any grey areas is manifested in the NT, which is therefore more accurate instruction for us Christians. With such a principle, our primary concern is to do everything for the glory of God, and not just stick with surface level obedience which the Pharisees do.

Thus, we can see that far from being focusing on "mere doctrine", the Reformer John Calvin focuses also on the practical walking of the Christian life. This, however, is grounded in doctrine, and not the dead 'doctrine' which the contemporary Church thinks doctrine is. Perhaps what they think and say is true because their 'doctrine' is indeed dead. However, true doctrine and theology is always practical and alive, and always will lead us into greater obedience and growth in sanctification in Christ Jesus our Lord. May we therefore grow deeper into God's Word and learn how to receive true living doctrine, so that we can grow in a real authentic relationship with our Lord who is the Truth.