Scripture

Here are a couple of quotes from The Institutes by John Calvin Section : 1.6.1-4 pertaining to Scripture, which is God’s special revelation. Special revelation is different from God’s general revelation, which is creation itself. While creation does indeed speak volumes about God and thus makes all men aware God exists; only God’s Word can save man. In seminary it is said like this, “general revelation is enough to condemn man but it is not enough to save man. Only God’s special revelation is salvific.” A thorough reading of the Romans 1 will get you there.


“Just as old or bleary-eyed men and those with weak vision, if you thrust before them a most beautiful volume, even if they recognize it to be some sort of writing, yet can scarcely construe two words, but with the aid of spectacles will begin to read distinctly; so Scripture, gathering up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us the true God. This, therefore, is a special gift, where God, to instruct the church, not merely uses mute teachers but also opens his own most hallowed lips. Not only does he teach the elect to look upon a god, but also shows himself as the God upon whom they are to look. He has from the beginning maintained this plan for his church, so that besides these common proofs he also put forth his Word, which is a more direct and more certain mark whereby he is to be recognized.”


“For by his Word, God rendered faith unambiguous forever, a faith that should be superior to all opinion.”


“And it is therefore no wonder that those who were born in darkness become more and more hardened in their insensibility; for there are very few who, to contain themselves within bounds, apply themselves teachably to God's Word, but they rather exult in their own vanity.”


“For errors can never be uprooted from human hearts until true knowledge of God is planted therein.”


In reflection…Am I and are you applying my/your-self as teachable to God’s Word? Do we go to the sacred texts with our own agendas and attempt to conform Scripture to ourselves or do we approach the Scripture and allow it to convict us of sin, usher in repentance, rejoice in forgiveness, humble us in adoration, and embolden us to share Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection with the world?


Christians do not fear being wrong in the face of God being right, because they have already submitted to Him being right. God is Lord, He is right, He is perfect, and His Word is perfect! Thank you God for your written Word, for your Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, and for your Holy Spirit who illumines the Truth of Scripture in your children.