Calvin's Institutes: May 22

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

Calvin's Institutes: June 11

Podcast Summary In this reading from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 19, Sections 7–11, Calvin develops the third aspect of Christian liberty: freedom in matters that God has neither commanded nor forbidden. He argues that consciences must not be bound by human regulations concerning food, clothing, holidays, or other indifferent things (adiaphora), since such bondage inevitably leads to superstition, fear, and endless uncertainty. At the same time, Christian liberty is not a license for self-indulgence. Calvin warns against using freedom as a cloak for luxury, pride, or the pursuit of pleasure, insisting that God’s gifts are to be enjoyed with gratitude, moderation, and contentment. He further explains that liberty is primarily a spiritual blessing meant to give peace to the conscience before God, not an opportunity to parade one’s freedom before others. Finally, he distinguishes between “offense given” and “offense taken,” teaching that believers must gladly limit their liberty for the sake of weak brothers while refusing to surrender the truth to the unreasonable demands of Pharisaical critics. Throughout these sections, Calvin presents Christian liberty as a gift that frees the conscience, promotes gratitude, encourages moderation, and serves the good of the church through love. Today's Reading John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 19, Sections 7–11 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 #ChristianLiberty #Adiaphora #LibertyOfConscience #FaithAndFreedom #ReformedTheology #ChristianTheology #HistoricalTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoMinistries #ChristianDiscipleship #Contentment #Moderation #ChristianLiving #Conscience #PaulineTheology #CalvinStudies #FreedomInChrist

Calvin's Institutes: June 10

Podcast Summary In this reading from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 19, Sections 1–6, Calvin introduces the doctrine of Christian liberty and argues that it is essential for understanding the gospel, justification, and the peace of the believer's conscience. He explains that Christian liberty first frees believers from seeking righteousness through the law, directing them instead to Christ alone as their righteousness before God. Second, it frees Christians from the terror of legal bondage so that they may obey God willingly as beloved children rather than fearful slaves. Calvin shows from Galatians, Romans, and Hebrews that the law continues to guide believers in holiness, but it can never serve as the foundation of their acceptance before God. Because believers are accepted by grace, they are able to serve God cheerfully, trusting that their heavenly Father receives their imperfect obedience with kindness and mercy. Throughout these sections, Calvin emphasizes that true Christian liberty does not encourage sin but produces grateful obedience, joyful service, and confidence before God through faith in Christ alone. Today's Reading John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 19, Sections 1–6 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 #ChristianLiberty #JustificationByFaith #FaithAlone #GraceAlone #LawAndGospel #LibertyInChrist #ReformedTheology #ChristianTheology #HistoricalTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoMinistries #ChristianDiscipleship #SolaFide #SolaGratia #CalvinStudies #FreedomInChrist #GospelDoctrine

Calvin's Institutes: June 9

Podcast Summary In this reading from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 18, Sections 8–10, Calvin continues defending justification by faith alone against several common objections. He argues that although charity is greater than faith in certain respects, it does not therefore justify. Faith justifies not because it is a superior work, but because it is the instrument by which believers receive the mercy of God and the righteousness of Christ. Calvin then addresses Christ’s command to the rich young ruler to keep the commandments, explaining that Jesus was exposing the man's confidence in works and driving him toward the realization that he could not attain righteousness through the law. Finally, Calvin answers the claim that a good work can offset sin before God. He insists that righteousness by works would require perfect and uninterrupted obedience throughout one's entire life, while a single violation of God's law brings guilt. Thus the law shuts every person up to the need for Christ, and the only remedy for sinners is to flee from their own righteousness to the righteousness offered through faith in Him. Today's Reading John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 18, 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] #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #JustificationByFaith #FaithAlone #GraceAlone #CharityAndFaith #RichYoungRuler #RighteousnessOfChrist #ReformedTheology #ChristianTheology #HistoricalTheology #ChurchHistory #ThroughTheChurchFathers #CredoMinistries #ChristianDiscipleship #SolaFide #SolaGratia #CalvinStudies #LawAndGospel #TheologyInDepth