We see there is no need of a long and laborious train of argument in order to obtain proofs which illustrate and assert the Divine Majesty. The few which we have merely touched, show them to be so immediately within our reach in every quarter, that we can trace them with the eye, or point to them with the finger. And here we must observe again (see chap. 2 s. 2), that the knowledge of God which we are invited to cultivate is not that which, resting satisfied with empty speculation, only flutters in the brain, but a knowledge which will prove substantial and fruitful wherever it is duly perceived, and rooted in the heart. The Lord is manifested by his perfections. When we feel their power within us, and are conscious of their benefits, the knowledge must impress us much more vividly than if we merely imagined a God whose presence we never felt. Hence it is obvious, that in seeking God, the most direct path and the fittest method is, not to attempt with presumptuous curiosity to pry into his essence, which is rather to be adored than minutely discussed, but to contemplate him in his works, by which he draws near, becomes familiar, and in a manner communicates himself to us. To this the Apostle referred when he said, that we need not go far in search of him (Acts 17:27), because, by the continual working of his power, he dwells in every one of us. Accordingly, David (Psalm 145), after acknowledging that his greatness is unsearchable, proceeds to enumerate his works, declaring that his greatness will thereby be unfolded. It therefore becomes us also diligently to prosecute that investigation of God which so enraptures the soul with admiration as, at the same time, to make an efficacious impression on it. And, as Augustine expresses it (in Psalm 144), since we are unable to comprehend Him, and are, as it were, overpowered by his greatness, our proper course is to contemplate his works, and so refresh ourselves with his goodness.

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

Get this book and 107 other Calvin titles with the Calvin 500 Collection from Logos Bible Software. Preorder today.

Logos Bible Software today announced the release of the newest version of Logos Bible Software, Logos 4. Three years in development, Logos 4 is not simply an upgrade to the previous version of Logos, this is a complete re-imagining of what Bible study software ought to be. It is streamlined, powerful, and uncomplicated—it is the perfect tool for everyone from the seasoned scholar to the man or woman simply wanting to get more from his or her time in God’s word.

With far too many upgrades, features, and resources to cover in a single post, you can visit www.logos.com/4 to see what Logos 4 can do to take your study of the Bible to the next level.

Today marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564). Calvin is one of the church’s greatest theologians, and Calvinism one of the Western world’s most influential intellectual movements. Calvin was a theologian, pastor, biblical exegete, and tireless apologist for Reformed Christianity.

To celebrate, Logos Bible Software is giving away The Institutes of the Christian Religion, the work for which Calvin is best known. Calvin wrote The Institutes as a theological introduction to the Bible and a vindication of the principles of the Reformation. For nearly five centuries, The Institutes has remained a classic Protestant text and a monumental work of theology. For a short time, you can get The Institutes for free!

To download your free copy of The Institutes, simply follow the instructions on today’s post on the Logos Bible Software blog.

After giving us a whirlwind history of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, John W. de Gruchy concluded his remarks by demonstrating from the recent history of his country how Calvinism both supported and eventually refuted Apartheid, by reclaiming some of Calvin’s social justice mandates.

Kathy Dawson

John W. de Gruchy from the University of Cape Town is now speaking about the influence of Calvin via the Dutch Reformed Church on South African society throughout its history. Calvinism first became established in South Africa in 1652, close to the same time it arrived in America.

Kathy Dawson

Herman Selderhuis, President of the International Calvin Congress is concluding his remarks on “Survival of the Fittest? A Brief History of the Reception of Calvin’s Theology.” The gist of his paper was that Calvin’s works were not particularly well accepted when first published, but have stood the test of time partially because his theology seems to have avoided some of the polarity of the time and worked well with governing powers.

Kathy Dawson

We’re sitting here in the CICG conference with all the Calvinites awaiting the start of the International Calvin and His Influence Conference in Geneva. Our room looks like a United Nations set up with Smart tables and chairs, headsets for translation and a large panel table on the podium up front. There are people from many different parts of the world including a good representation of Presbyterians from the United States.
We’ll be live blogging here from the conference once it begins. We– being Columbia Theological Seminary students and faculty in attendance.

Kathy Dawson

Collin Hansen interviews Robert Godfrey on his recent book John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor.

Here’s a snippet:

I hope people will not neglect to read Calvin himself. The best places to begin are with his sermons and his commentaries. He is very accessible. His Genevan Catechism and his Reply to Sadoleto are also good beginning points. The Institutes of the Christian Religion is, of course, his greatest single work, but in its final form it was intended for theology students. It is heavier and more polemic than some of his other work, but certainly well worth reading.

Read the whole interview.

HT: Mike Bird

As you may know, part of our site is devoted to the amazing Calvin collections available from Logos Bible Software. If you’re not a Logos user and have been thinking about buying a base package, we have some great news! Use the coupon code CALVIN500 at checkout and you’ll receive a 25% discount on any of our base package. This is a great deal, so don’t miss out (and be sure to tell your friends).

Want to know more about Logos? Check out this demo video or watch the demo here:

Do you have a blog or site devoted to John Calvin? Are you a blogger who writes from a Calvinist perspective? Have you reviewed, critiqued, or commented on Calvin, Calvinism, or any work by or about Calvin? Then let us know about it!

We just launched a new page on Calvin500.com which contains links to other sites relating to John Calvin. Links are added based on your submissions, and we have four main categories:

• John Calvin
• Calvinism & Reformed Theology
• Reformed Schools
• Posts of Interest

Links do not necessarily have to be to your site or blog. Perhaps you found a site or blog that was particularly helpful and simply want to share it with others. If so, please let us know.