Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Sunday, July 19, 2009

A Calvinist Anglican's Blog on Calvin's Institutes. I.5.2

Astronomy, medicine and all the natural sciences are proofs of God’s existence, which even the “most illiterate peasant” discerns. Students in the sciences have a wonderful and unique opportunity to study the “theatre of God’s glory.” (Ps.19.1ff.) Science degrees are often said to be more difficult than courses in the humanities and arts; my organic chemistry courses were much more difficult than the course in Western Civilization. However one views that, science is a theological study for the justified and redeemed saint; it is also a theological study, albeit unknown, for the scientist under divine wrath and condemnation (Jn.3.36). Having majored in chemistry (and philosophy), there were believers and unbelievers who studied the same phenomena. God's revelation in nature is an active, dynamic, and continuuing witness. Election made and makes the scientists to differ on the revealed phenomena, one being "blind but sensing His Majesty's Presence occasionally" and the other “seeing dimly, but truly.” The facts manifest His glory, down every molecule in every blade of grass in every field of every nation throughout the earth; there is not one corner of this universe that Christ does not own. Calvins says, classically to him, “that the human body bears on its face such proofs of ingenious contrivance as are sufficient to proclaim the admirable wisdom of its Maker.”

Grant, Almighty God, that we may appreciate and be transformed, day and night, by thy matchless wisdom and glory revealed in the heavens and earth, through the mediation of our Redeemer. Amen.

Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book I.5.2.

2.The divine wisdom displayed for all to see
In attestation of his wondrous wisdom, both the heavens and the earth present us with innumerable proofs not only those more recondite proofs which astronomy, medicine, and all the natural sciences, are designed to illustrate, but proofs which force themselves on the notice of the most illiterate peasant, who cannot open his eyes without beholding them. It is true, indeed, that those who are more or less intimately acquainted with those liberal studies are thereby assisted and enabled to obtain a deeper insight into the secret workings of divine wisdom. No man, however, though he be ignorant of these, is incapacitated for discerning such proofs of creative wisdom as may well cause him to break forth in admiration of the Creator. To investigate the motions of the heavenly bodies, to determine their positions, measure their distances, and ascertain their properties, demands skill, and a more careful examination; and where these are so employed, as the Providence of God is thereby more fully unfolded, so it is reasonable to suppose that the mind takes a loftier flight, and obtains brighter views of his glory. Still, none who have the use of their eyes can be ignorant of the divine skill manifested so conspicuously in the endless variety, yet distinct and well ordered array, of the heavenly host; and, therefore, it is plain that the Lord has furnished every man with abundant proofs of his wisdom. The same is true in regard to the structure of the human frame. To determine the connection of its parts, its symmetry and beauty, with the skill of a Galen, (Lib. De Usu Partium,) requires singular acuteness; and yet all men acknowledge that the human body bears on its face such proofs of ingenious contrivance as are sufficient to proclaim the admirable wisdom of its Maker.

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