Calvin's Institutes: May 31

Calvin's Institutes: June 26

Calvin now turns from the God-centered petitions of the Lord’s Prayer to the needs of God’s people, showing that even our daily concerns must be viewed through the lens of God’s glory. In “Give us this day our daily bread,” he teaches that every provision—whether food, work, wealth, or health—comes from God’s fatherly hand and must never become a source of self-reliance or anxiety. He then moves to the heart of the Christian life in “Forgive us our debts,” reminding believers that forgiveness rests entirely on God’s mercy in Christ, not on human merit, satisfaction, or spiritual achievement. At the same time, those who have received mercy must become merciful, extending forgiveness to others as evidence that they themselves understand grace. Throughout these sections Calvin confronts pride, self-sufficiency, greed, perfectionism, and unforgiveness, directing believers instead toward humble dependence upon God for both physical provision and spiritual pardon. The result is a vision of prayer that trains us to trust God for everything, confess our continual need of grace, and reflect toward others the mercy we ourselves have received. Today's Readings John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 44–45 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 37 Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part, Questions 100–102 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] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Augustine #Confessions #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #LordsPrayer #DailyBread #Forgiveness #Grace #ChristianTheology #ChurchHistory #HistoricalTheology #ChristianFormation #CredoHouse

Calvin's Institutes: June 25

This portion of Calvin's exposition of the Lord's Prayer shifts from who God is to what believers should most deeply desire. Calvin explains that the first three petitions are entirely God-centered. To pray, “Hallowed be Thy name,” is to long for God's glory to be honored, His Word revered, and all blasphemy and irreverence extinguished. To pray, “Thy kingdom come,” is to ask that God rule more fully in our hearts, gather His Church throughout the world, defeat His enemies, and advance His kingdom until Christ returns in glory. To pray, “Thy will be done,” is to surrender our own desires and seek joyful obedience like that of the angels in heaven. Throughout these petitions Calvin reminds us that true prayer begins not with our needs but with God's honor. Before asking for daily bread, forgiveness, or protection, believers are taught to desire above all things that God's name be glorified, His reign extended, and His will obeyed. In this way prayer becomes an act of worship that reshapes our hearts to love what God loves and seek His glory before our own. Today's Readings John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 41–43 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 36 Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part, Questions 97–99 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] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Augustine #Confessions #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #LordsPrayer #KingdomOfGod #WillOfGod #ChristianTheology #ChurchHistory #HistoricalTheology #ChristianFormation #CredoHouse

Calvin's Institutes: June 24

This section of Calvin's discussion of the Lord's Prayer centers on one great truth: Christians pray with confidence because God is truly their Father in Christ. Calvin explains that we approach God only through Christ, whose sonship becomes ours by adoption, giving us the right to call God “Father.” He then addresses the fear many believers feel because of their sin, reminding us that God's mercy exceeds even the greatest earthly father's compassion. From there Calvin turns outward, emphasizing that the prayer begins with “Our Father,” teaching us that prayer is never merely private but binds us to the entire family of God. Even when we pray for particular needs, our hearts should remain connected to the broader fellowship of believers. Finally, Calvin explains the phrase “which art in heaven,” not as a statement about God's location, but as a reminder of His infinite majesty, sovereign power, and providential care over all things. Together these sections teach us to pray with confidence, humility, brotherly love, and unwavering trust in the God who rules heaven and earth while caring personally for His children. Today's Readings John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 36–40 Augustine — The Confessions, Book 10, Chapter 35 Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part, Question 96 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] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #ChurchHistory #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Augustine #Confessions #ThomasAquinas #SummaTheologica #ChristianTheology #Prayer #LordsPrayer #HistoricalTheology #ChurchFathers #ChristianFormation #CredoHouse

Calvin's Institutes: June 23

Today's Readings Podcast Description Singing, public prayer in the common tongue, and heartfelt worship all belong to the true service of God. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, Calvin defends the edifying use of singing in church, insists that prayers must be understood by the people, and leads us to the Lord’s Prayer as the perfect pattern given by Christ himself—balancing God’s glory with our needs. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 32-35 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] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Prayer #LordsPrayer #Worship #ReformationTheology #ReformedFaith

Calvin's Institutes: June 22

Today’s Readings Podcast Description True prayer flows from the heart and is offered to God alone through Christ. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, we learn the importance of assiduous, sincere prayer—both private and public—while rejecting vain repetitions, ostentation, and any reliance on material temples or outward forms. Calvin emphasizes that the tongue should serve to glorify God with heartfelt words and song, and that public prayer strengthens the unity of the Church. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20, Sections 29-31 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] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Prayer #Worship #ReformationTheology #ReformedFaith