Calvin's Institutes: May 24

Calvin's Institutes: June 7

Podcast Summary In this reading from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 18, Sections 1–3, Calvin addresses the common objection that Scripture repeatedly teaches God will reward people according to their works. He argues that such passages describe the order by which God brings His people into the enjoyment of salvation, not the cause of their salvation. Good works are the path God ordains for His children, but they never become the basis of their acceptance before Him. Calvin then explains that eternal life is called a reward not because believers earn it, but because it is the inheritance of adopted sons. Using Abraham as an example, he shows that God often rewards obedience with blessings that He had already promised long before the obedience occurred, demonstrating that grace always comes first. Finally, Calvin explains that works help prepare believers for the full enjoyment of what God has promised, but they never establish merit before God. Throughout these sections, Calvin insists that salvation rests entirely upon God’s mercy and adoption, while good works serve as the ordained means by which believers advance toward the inheritance that has already been secured for them in Christ. Today's Reading John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 18, Sections 1–3 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #JustificationByFaith #GraceAlone #FaithAlone #GoodWorks #Adoption #Abraham #ReformedTheology #ChristianTheology #HistoricalTheology #Calvin #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoMinistries #ChristianDiscipleship #ChurchHistory #TheologyInDepth #SolaFide #SolaGratia

Calvin's Institutes: June 6

Podcast Summary In this reading from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 17, Sections 10–15, Calvin continues his defense of justification by faith alone while addressing several of the strongest biblical arguments raised against it. He explains why the good works of believers are accepted by God—not because they are perfect, but because those who perform them have been accepted in Christ. He then reconciles Paul and James, arguing that Paul speaks of how sinners are justified before God, while James speaks of how true faith reveals itself through obedience. Calvin also examines Paul’s teaching concerning the law, arguing that the requirement of perfect obedience leaves all people dependent upon grace rather than merit. Throughout these sections, Calvin repeatedly returns to a central theme: salvation rests entirely upon God’s mercy in Christ, while good works serve as the necessary fruit of a living and genuine faith. Today's Reading John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 17, Sections 10–15 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #JustificationByFaith #FaithAlone #GoodWorks #PaulAndJames #Abraham #ReformedTheology #HistoricalTheology #ChristianTheology #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoHouse #CredoMinistries #ChristianDiscipleship #Theology #ChurchHistory

Calvin's Institutes: June 5

Podcast Description How do we reconcile the law and the gospel? Today we continue a rich conversation across the centuries. Tertullian exposes how pagan philosophy corrupts Christian truth and breeds heresies. Augustine shows us that the happy life is found only in joy in the Truth who is God Himself. And John Calvin carefully reconciles the promises of the law with the gospel of free justification, demonstrating that faith alone does not abolish good works but establishes them on the firm foundation of Christ. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 7–9 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 24 (Section 35) John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 17 — The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled (Sections 6–13) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #JustificationByFaith #LawAndGospel #GraceAlone #Tertullian #Augustine #JohnCalvin #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Calvin's Institutes: June 4

Podcast Description What is the relationship between law, gospel, and good works? Today we continue exploring the heart of the Christian faith. Tertullian sharply warns that philosophy is the mother of heresies and urges us to hold fast to apostolic truth. Augustine reveals the deep joy of finding God as the Truth who satisfies the soul. And John Calvin masterfully reconciles the promises of the law with the gospel of grace, showing that justification by faith alone does not destroy good works but establishes them firmly in Christ. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 7–9 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 24 (Section 35) John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 17 — The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled (Sections 1–5) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #JustificationByFaith #GraceAndLaw #GoodWorks #Tertullian #Augustine #JohnCalvin #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Calvin's Institutes: June 3

Podcast Description What does true freedom look like? Today we hear three voices from the Church’s history addressing the heart of the gospel. Tertullian warns against the dangerous mixture of philosophy and Christianity that breeds heresy. Augustine celebrates the joy of finding God in the Truth who dwells in our memory. And John Calvin powerfully reconciles the promises of the law with the gospel of grace, showing that justification by faith alone does not destroy good works but establishes them on the only sure foundation—union with Christ. Today’s Readings: Tertullian — Prescription Against Heretics, Chapters 7–9 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 24 (Section 35) John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 17 — The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled (Sections 1–5) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com [https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com] Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton [https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton] Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com [https://www.credocourses.com] Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org [https://www.credoministries.org] #JustificationByFaith #GraceAndWorks #Tertullian #Augustine #JohnCalvin #ThroughTheChurchFathers