John Calvin's Institutes in a Year

Calvin's Institutes: June 16

Podcast Description How can we approach God in prayer when we feel so unworthy? John Calvin continues his masterful teaching on prayer with the fourth essential rule: even in deep humility, we must pray with confident hope. He shows how repentance and faith work together, how the saints prayed with both fear and trust, and how true prayer is always rooted in the assurance that God hears those who come to Him through Christ. These sections call us to reject doubt and approach the throne of grace with boldness grounded in God’s mercy. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 11–13) 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] #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Institutes #Prayer #Faith #Reformation

Calvin's Institutes: June 15

Podcast Description How do we approach the holy God in prayer without presumption? John Calvin continues his vital teaching on prayer with three essential rules: we must come with undivided attention and reverence, feeling our deep need with ardent desire, and always grounding our requests in humble confession and God’s mercy alone. He shows how the greatest saints prayed with profound humility, never relying on their own worth but casting themselves entirely on divine grace. These sections call us to pray with sincerity, repentance, and confidence in the Mediator rather than in ourselves. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 8–10) 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 #Institutes #Prayer #Humility #Confession #Reformation

Calvin's Institues: June 14

Podcast Description Why do we pray if God already knows our needs? In this profound chapter from John Calvin’s Institutes, we discover that prayer is far more than a religious duty — it is the chief exercise of faith, the vital means by which we draw from the inexhaustible treasures of Christ. Calvin explains our total dependence on God, the immense benefits of constant prayer, and the essential rules for praying rightly: approaching God with a heart lifted above earthly distractions, asking according to His will, and coming with sincere desire and repentance. These truths transform prayer from a perfunctory habit into a living conversation with our heavenly Father. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 1–7) 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 #Institutes #Prayer #Faith #Reformation

Calvin's Institutes: June 13

Podcast Description What is prayer, and why is it essential for the Christian life? In this foundational chapter from John Calvin’s Institutes, we learn that prayer is the chief exercise of faith — the means by which we draw from the treasures Christ has opened to us. Calvin shows our total dependence on God, the necessity of constant prayer, and the first key rule for praying rightly: approaching God with a heart and mind properly framed, free from distracting cares and lifted toward His purity. These truths remind us that prayer is not optional but the vital lifeline between our poverty and God’s abundance. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 20 — Of Prayer: A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits Derived from It (Sections 1–4) 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 #Institutes #Prayer #Faith #Reformation

Calvin's Institutes: June 12

Podcast Description What are the true limits of Christian freedom? In this powerful continuation from John Calvin, we explore how liberty must be wisely modified for the sake of weak brothers, while standing firm against those who would bind consciences with human rules. Calvin carefully distinguishes between Timothy and Titus, shows how charity guides our use of liberty without compromising truth, and insists that liberty must never go against faith — “as far as the altar.” He then unfolds the vital doctrine of the two kingdoms (spiritual and civil) and gives a profound explanation of conscience — that inner witness that stands between God and man, a “thousand witnesses” that cannot be silenced. These sections offer essential guidance for navigating offenses, authority, and the freedom Christ has purchased with His blood. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 19 — Of Christian Liberty (Sections 12–16) 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 #Institutes #ChristianLiberty #TwoKingdoms #Conscience #Reformation