Faith embraces Christ - 11 October 2010 |
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The questions for weeks 33 and 34 of the Guided Reading Course are below. We’ll take a couple of weeks on this material, since it is both complex and significant.
You might find it helpful to be aware of the following rough outline of chapter ii:
Sections 1-7 Introduction to the material, culminating in the definition of faith in section 7.
Sections 8-13 Various misunderstandings and errors
Sections 14-43 More detail probing the definition found in section 7
And when you get a bit lost in the middle, here’s the key thing to cling to:
The … word is the basis by which faith is supported and sustained; if it turns away from the Word, it falls. Therefore, take away the Word and no faith will then remain. (Calvin, Institutes, III.ii.6)
Calvin, Institutes, III.i-ii, pp. 537-592
1. What question does Calvin ask at the start at the start of section III.i.1? How does he answer it?
2. How do the various titles ascribed in Scripture to the Holy Spirit relate to his work? (III.i.3)
3. Why does Scripture ascribe so many blessings to faith? (III.i.4)
4. Can you work out what “the Schoolmen” mean by “implicit faith”? (III.ii.2-5)
5. How does Calvin define faith? How is it related to the knowledge of God, and to the word of God? (III.ii.6-7)
6. How does Calvin address the distinction between “formed” and “unformed” faith? (III.ii.8-9)
7. Can the reprobate have faith? (III.ii.11-12)
8. How does faith relate to knowledge? (III.ii.14)
9. What kind of certainty does Calvin think faith entails? (III.ii.15-16) What do you think of his argument in these sections?
10. What objection does Calvin anticipate in III.ii.17? How does he respond? Is his response adequate? What biblical texts might be relevant to this discussion?
11. How does Calvin seek in section 18 to explain the tension highlighted in the previous sections?
12. What kind of “fear and trembling” serves to establish the assurance of faith more securely? (III.ii.22-23)
13. Why, according to Calvin, is God’s promise “the foundation of faith” (III.ii.29, cf. also section 30)?
14. “Without the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the Word can do nothing” (III.ii.33). What does Calvin mean by this? How does it relate to faith? (cf. also III.ii.34-35)
15. What conclusion does Calvin infer in III.ii.40 from Romans 8:38-39? Do you agree?
16. How is faith related to love? And to hope? (III.ii.41-43)
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Minister's Blog