Well, it’s on my bedstand and I’ve given it a start. I don’t generally do well at other’s "challenges" because, well, Life comes along, and my priorities aren’t those imposed by someone else’s schedule, so although "A man’s heart deviseth his way" "THE LORD directeth his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
By God’s will and grace, I will finish this, though I’m not going to promise it will be on the same "reading schedule" proposed. That is only a good goal to aim for. I started early and read ahead of schedule a bit, knowing I need a jumpstart.
I’ve not read deeply of Calvin before, but have read bits and pieces, and also read those both for and against him. As in any historical study, I believe we need to "go to the source", read (listen to) the man himself before making judgments.
I adhere to the "doctrines of grace" and believe much of "reformed" teaching to be Biblical teaching, but don’t label myself a "Calvinist." I am not a follower (disciple) of Calvin, for at this point that would be a blind following in ignorance. I haven’t read enough of the man’s own writings to know if that would be, "You follow me as I follow Christ."
In as much as he "follows Christ" I will learn from him. I will take all I read and ask "what saith the Lord?" comparing it with Scripture itself, as with all studies.
So far a couple of things have impressed upon me as I’ve read. Calvin’s time was much like our own. There was much ignorance of the Bible, what it really says as a whole, taking the things they heard that it said, without studying the Scriptures themselves. A cry arose, Sola Scriptura! That same cry needs to arise today. We need, as they did, to know and follow the Scriptures and to compare all else to them.
Calvin endeavored to lead those that were ignorant of the Scriptures to the Scriptures, to disciple those that were desiring to study to lead God’s people. His "object in this work" being "to prepare and train candidates for the sacred office, for the study of the sacred volume, that they may both have an easy introduction to it, and be able to prosecute it with unfaltering step."
procecute: "To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute or accomplish;"
"By the blessing of God, my most ardent desire has been to advance his kingdom, and promote the public good."
"The zeal of those whose cause I undertook,
Has swelled a short defense into a book."
quotes from "To the Reader" Institutes of the Christian Religion
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SDG,
For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
1 Thessalonians 5:23
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