• Shouldn't we update the group name to 2016?

    1. That's a good question, I don't know what plans the group creators might have for 2016. As I posted below, this group was created to share the Logos reading plan for last year, but most of the activity went on in the Facebook discussion group. You could try posting your suggestions for 2016 readings there and see what happens.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/472266442907164/
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  • I think this notion of getting cast down is a bit old hat. I am well aware of sin and it's effects ts ect but surely gratitude and praise is the only way forward. In no way can I ignore the old nature but we have a new inner man. We need to soldier on not through ash and dust on our heads saying whoe is me.

    1. Hi Shane. Not sure I know what you are referring to. Can you identify the text you're talking about?

  • So what do I post?

    1. You can post any comments you wish. This group was created to share the Logos Bible Software reading plan for Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion." Some of us have posted comments here, but most of the activity has been going on at the Facebook group for the reading. For the link, go up to the top of this page and click on the "About" tab.

  • "These commandments—“Do not take vengeance; love your enemies,” which were once delivered to all Jews and then to all Christians in common—have been turned by the Schoolmen into “counsels,” which we are free either to obey or not to obey. What pestilential ignorance or malice is this!" I had to take a side trip to figure out who the "Schoolmen" were. One of those things everyone of Calvin's day would know, I guess.
    Quote Image
    Institutes of the Christian Religion II, viii, 56Institutes of the Christian Religion, Volumes 1 & 2
    aThese commandments—“Do not take vengeance; love your enemies,” which were once delivered to all Jews and then to all Christians in common—have been turned by the Schoolmen into “counsels,” which we are free either to obey or not to obey. What pestilential ignorance or malice is this! Moreover, they have saddled the requirement to obey these “counsels” upon the monks, even more righteous in this one respect than simple Christians because they voluntarily bound themselves
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    1. I think Calvin is certainly on target here: "Nevertheless, what I mentioned at the beginning of this chapter I am compelled here to repeat once more: that whoever is utterly cast down and overwhelmed by the awareness of his calamity, poverty, nakedness, and disgrace has thus advanced farthest in knowledge of himself." For myself though, I find it is easy to forget this and to begin to find some reason for pride in the very things that are simply gifts from God.
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      Institutes of the Christian Religion II, ii, 10–11Institutes of the Christian Religion, Volumes 1 & 2
      bNevertheless, what I mentioned at the beginning of this chapter I am compelled here to repeat once more: that whoever is utterly cast down and overwhelmed by the awareness of his calamity, poverty, nakedness, and disgrace has thus advanced farthest in knowledge of himself.48 For there is no danger of man’s depriving himself of too much so long as he learns that in God must
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      1. "Now away with those persons who dare write God’s name upon their faults!"
        Quote Image
        Institutes of the Christian Religion II, i, 10Institutes of the Christian Religion, Volumes 1 & 2
        bNow away with those persons who dare write God’s name upon their faults, because we declare that men are vicious by nature!19 They perversely search out God’s handiwork in their own pollution, when they ought rather to have sought it in that unimpaired and uncorrupted nature of Adam. Our destruction, therefore, comes from the guilt of our flesh, not from God, inasmuch as we have perished solely because we have degenerated from our original condition.
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        1. Quote Image
          James 2:22English Standard Version
          You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
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          1. In the Institutes, I, viii, 8, Calvin says, "Yet from what source but God shall we say have come those prophecies which Isaiah at the same time utters concerning release? He names Cyrus (Isa. 45:1) through whom the Chaldeans had to be conquered and the people set free. … No one could have divined then that there was to be a man named Cyrus who would wage war with the Babylonians, would subdue such a powerful monarchy, and terminate the exile of the people of Israel. Does not this bare narrative, without any verbal embellishment, plainly show the things Isaiah recounts to be undoubted oracles of God, not the conjectures of a man?" Of course, Calvin is absolutely correct. For this reason, the father of lies (John 8:44) found it necessary to raise up his false prophets, the critical scholars, to deny that Isaiah actually wrote the words! (Refer Wikipedia entry on Cyrus the Great)

            1. I found this short summary of the Institutes that some might find interesting. It has a little history at the beginning.
              A Short Summary of Calvin's Institutes - by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon
              Calvin Commemorative Wallpaper Pack, (1509-2009) High-Res Desktop Wallpapers to Remember the Reformer Buy the digital wallpaper pack HERE. The Reformation A Condensed Summary of Calvin's Institutes...
              www.apuritansmind.com

              2. Shalom NB.Mick! Since you are an ESL person you could add another set of "training wheels" by making a Lay-out with the Battles' translation and a PB of the German translation by Otto Weber next to each other. I have done likewise.

              3. Thanks for the idea, H.J.! This could be a nice addition for the growing group of German-speaking Logos users - in fact years ago Theolobias even mentioned Weber's translation in a forum thread. I personally have no idea where to obtain any German translation of the institutes in electronic version at all. It seems Weber's version is only to be found in a very expensive hardcopy - even on a site claiming eBook in its title - and in one place as picture-scans in blackletter font. I'm not even sure if I should ask you to share the PB source, since despite being published in the 1930s it's probably still under copyright (if 70 years PMA applies, Weber living until 1966).

              4. Shalom NB.Mick! About a year ago I found an (untagged) Word document on the internet, but after reading your post I very much doubt the translation is in the public domain. Perhaps we should take this discussion to the German Faithlife group. Or you could send me an email at hj[dot]van[punkt]der[dot]wal[at]wxs[punkt]nl

            2. Here is an article by Eugene Peterson in which he describes his first introduction to Calvin's Institutes, and how he got started reading it through every year, over and over again.
              Living with the Triune God
              The Christian life is relentlessly personal.
              www.booksandculture.com

              1. Thanks Rosie