Reformed Pub discussion

As we kick off our first week of reading the Institutes, what are your expectations during this endeavor? What do you hope to gain from the reading plan?

I look forward to hearing what my fellow Reformers have to say that will stimulate my thinking in new directions.

Whenever I venture into something like this I try not to go in with expectations or biases, but in this case it is a little different.
I am still relatively new to Calvinism and Reformed theology and am hoping that this book will explain Calvinism in a deeper way for me. Aside from TULIP and the short teachings on it via RC Sproul, John Piper, Tommy Nelson, and Voddie Bauchman, as well as what I have learned from the various discussions in the Pub, I desire to know more, deeper, and in such a way that will bring these truths to life. I am also so grateful that we will have discussions about Calvin's Institutes here and how it all relates to the Bible.

Whenever I venture into something like this I try not to go in with expectations or biases, but in this case it is a little different.
I am still relatively new to Calvinism and Reformed theology and am hoping that this book will explain Calvinism in a deeper way for me. Aside from TULIP and the short teachings on it via RC Sproul, John Piper, Tommy Nelson, and Voddie Bauchman, as well as what I have learned from the various discussions in the Pub, I desire to know more, deeper, and in such a way that will bring these truths to life. I am also so grateful that we will have discussions about Calvin's Institutes here and how it all relates to the Bible.

I expect to be challenged and I desire that it will draw me closer to God and be means of grace in my life. I'm especially looking forward to the section on prayer. Tim Keller highlights it in his new book Prayer as one of the great teachings on the topic.

I expect Calvin to show me new ways of knowing God. He was an exceptionally gifted teacher that God gave to His church.

Personally, I hope to gain a better understanding of how the Reformers made the transition from Roman Catholic dogma into Protestant theology. These men were trained intellectually by some of the greats: Augustine, Aquinas, et al. So, how much were they influenced by their received tradition? This might be a good way for me to understand how to remain a catholic (universal) Christian while still being baptist, reformed, and protestant. Also, I hope to study the scripture passages that Calvin uses. I'm hoping to use my reading as a devotional time led by a great teacher. And, finally, I hope to see how theology is done pastorally and in the context of suffering and persecution. The protestant church was being slandered and attacked, both physically and spiritually, so Calvin felt led to defend the doctrines of the Reformed protestant church. This is a far greater purpose for sound doctrine than merely being right in an argument down at the coffee shop!

I'm not super familiar with the specifics of reformed theology, so I'm looking forward to becoming more knowledgable.

I'm excited to see some of you reading this to learn reformed theology! You're going to learn about it from a wonderful perspective. Wait until you read Calvin on prayer...breathtaking! :)

I'm looking forward to getting into the mind of John Calvin. How he thinks, reasons through and apply Scripture. Should hopefully help on renewing the mind and thinking more biblically and consistently. And obviously to know our great God more through the truths we'll learn :)

I have never read anything by Calvin and I am very interested to see how he explains God, Chris, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.

I hope to agree with him most of the time and be challenged by him too. I think the area I'll "debate" with him the most will be in his explanation of the church, but maybe not!

Happy new year! I'm enjoying the introduction today of "Institutes" and will dig into John Calvin to the Reader tomorrow ! So far this promises to be a transforming book...I am looking forward to the surgery on my heart.

Happy New Year, Folks! I'm also new to Calvin's writings. While I'm not new to Reformed theology, I'm still trying to chew through through some implications on things, so I thought this would be a great way to sharpen myself. I'm not sure I'll be able to stay on pace, but I'm sure going to try!

In chapter 2, the beginning of section 2, I really liked this quote:

"Those, therefore, who, in considering this question, propose to inquire what the essence of God is, only delude us with frigid speculations,— [...] The effect of our knowledge rather ought to be, first, to teach us reverence and fear; and, secondly, to induce us, under its guidance and teaching, to ask every good thing from him, and, when it is received, ascribe it to him."

This really applies to our post-modern society. So often I've sat around with folks who want to debate philosophically what "kind of God" our Lord is. Seems like Calvin "ain't got time fo" debating the essence of God, and is more interested in the knowledge of God and His attributes driving us towards faithfulness.

Yes...my impression so far is the John Calvin is not interested in understanding to "debate and win an argument " but to be transformed by the living God to bring him glory and serve others in his name...scary! I think it's easier to debate but these believers were dying for what they believed....the debate was over.

Happy New Year!

There are many reason I'm looking forward to this. The Institutes are a classic in literature and therefore it will be great to read it. John Calvin is a great hero and therefor I hope to gain much knowledge of the faith and see that knowledge renew the mind. I'm relative new to being reformed (about four years) so it will be beneficial to read a work that is such a backbone to our theology. Reading it is also a educating challenge language wise since the English in this translation is old and at times hard.

I have started to get into the Institutes and the hard language is growing on me. I'm enjoying it so far.

I hope to grow closer to God, and to learn from those who came before us.

On the other hand, it is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he have previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.

Question: are we to read all the accompanying notes on each page? I almost have more notes than the actual writings....what is everyone else doing?( I'm in the McNeill /Battles translation )

Barri wrote: "Question: are we to read all the accompanying notes on each page? I almost have more notes than the actual writings....what is everyone else doing?( I'm in the McNeill /Battles translation )"

My opinion: I usually scan them as they sometimes are useful in understanding more nuanced language/history issues. If they don't immediately stand out to me, though, as "Ooh, this is interesting/useful", I just let them go. I have a certain limit on my time, and I would rather spend it primarily w/ the text itself. 2cents

Yes! Thanks heather

I agree with Heather. That's what I do to with "scholarly" types of books.

I also tend to skim but not focus too much on notes. I do pay attention to how good the notes are (are they just a book name or does it include ch/page number?). This matters for integrity more than anything.

Ok...I'm on chapter 5 and feel like I'm not keeping up with the schedule but I am so enjoying the book!!! It is excellent! I'm also teaching history right now and find that Bloody Mary (right?) and John Knox of Scotland were contemporaries of John Calvin. Putting that historical context into the reading makes this work all that much more interesting and amazing to me! On page 65 with 172 to go in 21 days..... I can do it!

By the way - I find it very helpful that the chapter headings appear to be thesis statement. Calvin's writing excellent and is so well thought out!

I can't remember how many chapters are in book 1. I am on chapter 8 and I want to make sure I am on a reasonable pace.

Adam, book one has 18 chapters.

Thanks

I'm a bit behind but not discouraged! Just keep plugging away!

I've read a bit of Reformed Theology, but never read the Reformers firsthand. I'm looking forward tracing Calvin's train of thought, especially as he has quite a systematic approach to his writing

I was really struck today by Calvin's argument that images of Christ lead to a lessening of how serious people view him.