2. Godliness and theological study - 5 October 2011 |
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Welcome to the second tutorial in the Emmanuel Guided Reading Course. This is the second of the three introductory sessions, which are designed to pave the way for the programme of theological study that follows. Here’s an outline of the first three weeks:
Session 1: Approaching theological study
Session 2: Godliness and theological study
Session 3: Prayer
Our reading this week is John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, III.vii-viii. This portion of Calvin’s work is theologically very rich, being embedded firmly in the doctrine of union with Christ by the Spirit that lies right at the heart of Calvin’s thought. At the same time, it is a challenging exhortation to Christian godliness. It’s well worth reading it carefully and prayerfully as we embark on the Emmanuel Guided Reading Course.
References to Calvin’s Institutes take the following form: “Book.Chapter.Section”. So, for example, III.vii-viii means book 3, chapters 7 and 8; III.vii.1 means book 3, chapter 7, section 1. The numbers in brackets refer to the volume and page numbers. So 1:689-712 means volume 1, pages 689 to 712. These page references are often omitted for the same of brevity.
Outline
- Introduction
- Calvin, Institutes, III.vii-viii
Questions for reflection
Before you begin reading, consider the following questions:
i. What thoughts enter your mind when you hear the phrase “self-denial”?
ii. How might a course of theological study inadvertently encourage ungodliness?
Study questions
1. According to Calvin, what implications follow from the biblical declaration that we “are not our own [Cf. 1 Cor. 6:19] but the Lord’s” (III.vii.1)?
For reflection: What might make it difficult for us to live out these implications?
2. How does Calvin define “denial of self” (III.vii.2, cf. III.vii.8-10)? How is this related to the answer to question 1? How does Calvin’s definition differ from some contemporary understandings of “self-denial”? Why is this difference important?
3. Titus 2 “limits all actions of life to three parts” (III.vii.3). What are these?
4. Why does Paul “[recall] us to the hope of blessed immortality” (III.vii.3)?
5. What do you think of Calvin’s assessment of our natural sinful instincts as he describes them in III.vii.4?
6. How should we regard “our faults,” and the faults of others (III.vii.4)?
For reflection: Why is this difficult?
7. “Whatever benefits we receive from the Lord have been entrusted to us on this condition” (III.vii.5). What condition? How, then, should we use these benefits? Why is the imagery of the “members of the human body” important here (III.vii.5)?
8. How does Calvin encourage us to do good to those who are “most unworthy” (III.vii.6)?
9. How does Calvin help us learn to “fulfil the duties of love … from a sincere feeling of love” (III.vii.7)? According to Calvin, what consequences will follow from such an approach?
10. How is receiving “divine blessing” related to obeying God’s word? Why (III.vii.9)?
11. How does self-denial help us bear adversity (III.vii.10)?
12. Why must every believer “bear his own cross”? What, according to Calvin, can “soften all the bitterness of the cross” (III.viii.1)?
13. “There are many reasons why we must pass our lives under a continual cross” (III.viii.2). What are these reasons? Do you agree with Calvin’s reasoning here?
14. How, according to Calvin, do “Tribulations produce patience, and patience [produce] tried character” (III.viii.3)?
15. What does Calvin mean when he says that God afflicts his people “to test their patience” (III.viii.4)? How exactly does God do this (III.viii.4)?
16. What, according to Calvin, do we have in common with “mettlesome horses” (III.viii.5)? Why does Calvin believe that different people suffer to different degrees? Do you agree? Why or why not (III.viii.5)?
17. Why does Calvin believe that “whenever we are afflicted, remembrance of our past life ought immediately to come to mind” (III.viii.6)?
For reflection: Do you agree with what Calvin says here? What biblical texts might support Calvin’s point?
18. How should we respond “when we recognize the Father’s rod” (III.viii.6)?
19. Why is it “a singular comfort” when we “suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake” (III.viii.7)?
20. What kind of cheerfulness in suffering should we display? And what kind of sorrow (III.viii.8-10)?
For reflection: Would it be possible for a believer who did not suffer to remain faithful to Christ? Why or why not?
For reflection: How close are you to displaying the approach to suffering that Calvin commends?
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Posted by Steve Jeffery · Topics: Guided Reading Course, Class of 2011, Minister's Blog