In Chapter 5 of Book 1 of the Institutes, Calvin discusses the two main ways that God is revealed in creation. The first of these Calvin divides this into two sub-parts: 1. Creation acts as a type of mirror by which we can begin to see God (Section 1) and 2. the complex way in which creation is ordered (Section 2). To see evidence of God’s wisdom requires us to look no further than the intricate way humans are designed (Section 3). The second way God is revealed is through the governing order of society (Section 7). This essentially means that God is just. All of this should give humanity the desire to worship God. “Indeed, no one gives himself freely and willingly to God’s service unless, having tasted his fatherly love, he is drawn to love and worship him in return,” he writes. I think this chapter is very relevant to the discussion of the origin of life, or the question of “who” versus “how.”
Turning to Lane’s first question (p.38): In what ways is God made manifest in the created order? As mentioned above, God is made manifest in the creation and continued ordering of the universe. Calvin makes example of the stars, the human body, even infant “speech.” To this list, he describes how God commands the heavens with a mere shake of his head (in the middle of Section 6).
Next question from Lane: What is the effect of this upon unregenerate humanity? Calvin says that it is humanity’s fault – not God’s – for being too prideful to see evidence of God (Section 4). Calvin blames us for being too dull (Section 15). You know the old saying: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.
Here's my question for this chapter: Is it problematic to discuss the ways in which God is such a great creator, but then discuss how the perfect creation is tragically flawed?
ReplyDeleteWil, thanks for your question. I agree that God is the great creator, and that creation is flawed. However, I’m not sure that I would say it is “tragically” flawed. Calvin calls it “madness” that “man, finding God in his body and soul” would deny that there is a God. (pg 56) I picked up on a theme of the power of contemplating God in nature to tap into the reality that God is indeed the great creator. Calvin says when we contemplate God in his works, God “renders himself near and familiar to us, and in some manner communicates himself.” (p. 62) This points to God as the great creator. This same God will pursue us until the end. Creation is flawed, but in my opinion, it is not tragic, because He pursues miserable sinners with unwearied kindness, until he shatters their wickedness. (pg. 60) I guess in that I hear hope for our fallen creation, not tragedy.
I agree with you here Laurie. As I merely process this, If we simply lived with God as happy, perfect creatures could we or would we really know God? For example, can we know what it is to be happy if we've never experienced sadness? Calvin talks a great deal about contemplating God and, through contemplation, our knowledge of God, but it is perhaps in the contemplation itself or our ability to contemplate that allows us to know God, to right from wrong, know happy from sad? As Calvin points out that we all have "access to happiness." (51) I think Calvin's emphasis on a "flawed" creation is perhaps a necessity of creation. This actually has a really positive spin!
DeleteThank you for your post and summarization of the chapters. I have just read Laurie's reply and so, I will see if I can bring other light in my answer..
ReplyDeleteI will stand with Calvin, with God as the great creator and man as undignified in response to this presence. David is quoted, 'The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God' - which stifles the light... My personal stance of agreement with Calvin, stems from my experiences of 'getting to know God, myself, and more about God and then, more about myself again'.. I see Calvin's comments of perfection in God and what God created as a reflection of what humanity is in the fulfillment of Christ. The 'seed' is planted, if our answer to God's call is anything but "Yes.", the 'seed' remains dormant. My experience has shown me, that a dormant seed will generate, and with this trigger (of YES) the greatness-purity-power and light of God are superimposed against (my) humanity. It is this revelation which I believe Calvin is speaking about. As we see ourselves anew, superimposed over what God intends for us, we not only fall down in despair, we also look upwards with a glimmer of who God is and who we are in God's eyes. SO, after all that, I do not see a problem with Calvin's comment. Along with Laurie, I hear hope and I see God in humanity, despite the fallen-ness and broken-ness of the world. For in Christ we are whole-the seed is viable.
Yes and thank you! Well-said! The seed is planted but remains "dormant."
DeleteHey Wil, nice summary of chapter five. Reading this section reminded me of a biography of Isaac Newton I read, too many years ago to mention. The author tells us that Newton's investigation into gravity, the calculus (which I believe he called fluxions), optics. etc. were all motivated by his religious sensibilities. Newton felt he was investigating the "mind of the creator". (I just pulled the book from my bookshelf. It is called "In the Presence of the Creator: Isaac Newton and His Times". It's by Gale E. Christianson.) In any case, Newton was reputed to be a Lollard and wrote more on religious subjects than he did about science. (Not sure how much of that is still extant. I have often thought it would make interesting reading.) I think it goes to show that Calvin was not the only brilliant mind focused on the idea that God is revealed in nature, and that there were great scientists who took the idea seriously.
ReplyDeleteAs for God's creation being flawed, I think we may be able to attribute perceived flaws to human folly. God gives us the ability to sin, and so we do. Can we say that God then erred in making people (and that in the image of the divine)? Sometimes I think so, but on the whole I don't. Every morning when I get up I thank God for another day, another opportunity for human folly, but I also pray that we as individuals and as a species will rise above our own foolishness. Will we? Can we? I think that is what Christianity is meant to answer.
I find it a bit odd that Calvin does not reference the Genesis story of creation in this section. Has it not been given to us as the starting place for the understanding God. A story to answer the most fundamental question of a child or a mature adult who wonders, how did we get here?
ReplyDeleteThe story certain explains that all was Good in the beginning. So when the first humans sought to know all things, just like God... The only thing they did not know was... all that is evil and bad.
Well they received that knowledge didn't 'We'.
Tragically flawed, yes?
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your summary of chapter 5 Wil. I was intrigued by the statement: What men need to know concerning God has been disclosed to them….(section 1). He goes on to explain man’s substitution of nature for God in section 4. However, by far section 15 is the most revealing to me. In particular, “for a man to pretend he lacks when” statements are my favorite and I think may answer your question (there are several of the statements to choose from).
ReplyDeleteAre we tragically flawed? Perhaps we are or perhaps we are not, but isn’t a little flaw serious? I would think so. If we are flawed, we need salvation. If we are perfect, couldn’t we have smooth sailing? I can only speak for myself, but I feel tragically flawed may be the right way to say it. I must admit that I am looking through the lenses of 24 years of military service. It has shown some very mighty acts of God along with mighty acts of failure in humankind.
Thanks Jerry - this is what I am thinking to some extent. It really doesn't make sense to make creatures that are not flawed.
DeleteThank you Wil for this excellent post summarizing God's creative acts as well as what has happened to humans - the "tragically flawed" part. On one hand this may seem to be a rather harsh description "Tragically flawed" However I am reminded that in 2 Cor 12:9 paul speaks of "power made perfect in weakness." Is not this idea of the fall the ultimate example of weakness, being separated from God? Is it not a true example God's supreme grace the redemption of God's creation - through the salvation of Christ? I too will stand with Calvin on this description of creation. It seems as though Calvin is attempting to show how far we as humans have moved from God's original plan for God's creation.
ReplyDeleteI think Calvin is addressing the "perfect creation" (pg 62) in his discussion of the purpose of the knowledge of God and our hope of the future life. In section 14 (pg 68), I see Calvin beginning to show us God's plan for His creation. Here he says "... we have not the eyes to see thus unless they be illumined by the inner revelation of God through faith." So, I think we have not yet experienced the "perfect" creation that God has planned.
ReplyDeleteWill, this is a wonderful summary over Chapter 5. One of the ideas that struck me in regards to your is how "perfect creation is tragically flawed." Many responded to this and I responded to them, but I am curious as to how there are "many monstrous spirits, who, to destroy God's name, do not hesitate to misdirect all the seed of divinity spread abroad in human nature." (55) So, my question is, where in the midst of creation, did such spirits come from? Obviously, Calvin is impacted by the dualism present in the 16th century, but in thinking about this theologically, it begs me to question the presence of humanities flaws. Is it in the perfection of creation that humanity is flawed or in from another source? If I consider another source, this completely shifts the answer to the question posed by you.
ReplyDeleteWil, thank you for drawing out the essence of the chapter so well. Christy, I was drawn by the "monstrous spirits' as well, but took them (right or wrong) to be people who would lead others astray. Monstrous spirits aside, I enjoyed Calvin's rant about people with excellent minds putting them to no good use. What great imagery of receiving enlightenment from heaven and burying it in the earth instead of rendering praise to God. With science as my first career, I especially enjoyed his message that one can praise the Creator for the greater miracle, even if one understands how the body works in part. Science illumines rather than obscures God's glory (p.56).
ReplyDeleteWill, Calvin challenges us not to toil in search for evidence of the divine majesty of God since we have enough evidence to proof this. God’s divine majesty can be seen by the eye and touched by the figure. That our knowledge of God should not be based on empty speculation but we should perceive it with all our heart. God’s manifestation is by the power we feel in ourselves and the benefits we enjoy from God.
ReplyDeleteCalvin encourages us to calm our curiosity to investigate the existence of God but rather our search for God should be the contemplation of His works by which God draws nearer to us and exposes himself to us. According to Calvin, the apostles are in accord that God’s manifestation is in the created, and by God’s power, and greatness which is present in us. In knowing God by the created, we are opened to the hope for life in the future. The evidence of existence of God by His works we are not quick to accept the evidence and do not profit from it.
I wonder - does anybody else hear shades of Plato's Cave in Calvin's understanding of our limited human ability to see creation? Especially when we include imagery like the mirror, it sounds as if Calvin might even be borrowing from Plato's notion of perceiving the real world through shadows on the wall. When Calvin compares seeing things on earth to staring into the sun, he is not only telling us we are seeing derivatives of God in creation, but that we are unable to see or appreciate God's full splendor.
ReplyDeleteGood observation Matt. I hadn't thought about it, but Calvin was most definitely familiar with Plato, so this may have impacted his thought here
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