Sundays with Jean

In our reading of Calvin's Institutes, I find that good old Jean grappled with the same church I grappled with as a young woman, and he often articulated, much better than I, the same realizations that, along with a godly husband, lead me away from the Roman church. In Book III, Chapter 20, Part 21, concerning the Roman practice of praying to saints, he had a couple of points that I had to "amen" right out loud as Dave read:

Now Scripture recalls us from all to Christ alone, our Heavenly Father wills that all things be gathered together in him. therefore, it was the height of stupidity, not to say madness, to be so intent on gaining access through the saints as to be led away from him, apart from whom no entry lies open to them.

...scripture offers him [Christ] alone to us, sends us to him, and establishes us in him. "He," says Ambrose, "is our mouth, through which we speak to the Father; he is our right hand, through which we offer ourselves to the Father. unless he intercedes, there is no intercourse with God either for us or for all saints."

Mid-week miscellany

Of interest to bloggers: here are some winsome and biblical thoughts by Kevin DeYoung on the problems of the blogosphere. And, here are some more from Matt Heerma. And this looks like a great resource for non-techie bloggers like myself.


Of interest to bibliophiles and classicists: Here is a genuinely interesting interview with Sarah Ruden regarding her new translation of Virgil. And in case you need to be reminded why Latin is such a practical necessity in life, check out Andrew's post here. And just in case you're wondering what you can possibly do on your commute, or why you should always carry your cell phone, read this interesting article. (Thanks to CR)

Of interest to Darwinists and non-Darwinists:
Well, some scientists think they have found the "missing link". You can check it out here. The absence of a missing link is only one of Darwin's problems, however. I am not holding my breath that this will end religion as we know it. As a matter of fact, if you listen to these scientists, with their misty eyes and cracking voices, you realize they are simply remaking religion.

Of interest to all of us reading through Calvin's Institutes: Why not take the celebration of his birth even farther, and get a Calvin bobblehead. No, I'm not joking. And offered by my son's alma mater, no less! (As TC said, "You know you want one..."

Sundays with Jean

I usually post quotes from my reading of Calvin's institutes on my other blog, but since I posted about Mother's Day there, I thought I'd share a few good quotes here today...

"The name of Jesus is not only light but also food; it is also oil, without which all food of the soul is dry; it is salt, without whose seasoning whatever is set before us is insipid; finally, it is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, rejoicing in the heart, and at the same time medicine. Every discourse in which his name is not spoken is without savor."
~2.16.1, quoting Bernanrd

[H]e loved us even when we practiced enmity toward him and committed wickedness. Thus in a marvelous and divine way he loved us even when he hated us. For he hated us for what we were that he had not made; yet because our wickedness had not entirely consumed his handiwork, he knew how, at the same time, to hate in each one of us what we had made, and to love what he had made.
~2.16.4, quoting Augustine

He therefore sits on high, transfusing us with his power, that he may quicken us to spiritual life, sanctify us by His Spirit, adorn his church with diverse gifts of grace, keep it safe from all harm by his protection, restrain the raging enemies of the cross and of our salvation by the strength of his hand, and finally hold all power in heaven and on earth. All this he does until he shall lay low his enemies...(who are our enemies, too) and complete the building of his church. This is the true state of his kingdom; this is the power that the Father has conferred upon him, until, in coming to judge the living and the dead, he accomplishes his final act.
~2.16.16

Amen, and amen!

A note about John (Calvin, that is...)

Some here have expressed interest in reading through Calvin's Institutes this year, as Dave and I are doing. I am going to try to write about it on Sundays at my other blog, but because we are traveling this weekend, I've posted my favorite excerpts there today. If any of you would like to post your favorite passages, or share things that have touched or encouraged or challenged you, please do so!