There's nothing going on here; nothing to see. Move along.

John 12:31b: "Now shall the prince of this world be cast out."

I'm getting used to Calvin smoothing over everything and taking away the punch from passages that I thought hit hard.  Here is his take on the above verse fragment:

"This casting out must not be limited to any short period of time, but is a description of that remarkable effect of the death of Christ which is daily manifested."

Does He not say "now"?  How would Calvin's take be different for Adam and Eve or any saint previous to this statement?  Can't it mean something is changing "now" or soon?

Baptismal Regeneration

Here is part of Calvin's treatment of John 3:

It is true that, by neglecting baptism, we are excluded from salvation; and in this sense I acknowledge that it is necessary; but it is absurd to speak of the hope of salvation as confined to the sign.

This is shocking to me.  I assume that because many statements regarding infant baptism come so close to saying this anyway, it is not so shocking for the reformed church.

Coming of the Son of Man

"For as the lightning goeth out of the east, and shineth even to the west, so shall also be the coming of the Son of man" (Matt. 24:27).

Calvin handles this coming of the Son of Man by saying, "The light of the gospel, as soon as it appear, darted from one side of the world to the opposite side like lightning." I may not be comfortable explaining what the coming referred to is, but I don't think his interpretation is without prejudice.  Frustratingly forced, really.

Perpetual Silliness

I understand that Calvin grew up Roman Catholic, but he later learned to speak boldly against the pope and all his fellow criminals.  Why then say this:

Joseph did not know his wife until she brought forth Christ, (Matthew 1:25.) By these words Scripture does not mean, that after Christ had been born they lived together as husband and wife, but only shows that Mary, before the birth of her son, was a virgin that had not known man.

Leftover love for the virgin?  He is so strong on points that seem questionable.  Why fool around on this?  This is a man who demands marriage for almost all (Vol. II).  Why take Joseph's wife from him?

Elevation of Preachers

I need the preached Word.  I doubly honor my pastor.  But after arriving approximately halfway in the Harmony of the Gospels, a common theme has been the necessity of preaching for assurance of salvation: "Christ therefore declares that, by the preaching of the Gospel, is revealed on the earth what will be the heavenly judgment of God, and that the certainty of life or death is not to be obtained from any other source."  This is not the best statement, but the latest.  I realize the common man did not own a Bible at the time nor perhaps could read, but I cannot help but think this lends itself to episcopacy and an unwarranted distinction between laity and clergy.  (Also this represents Calvin's lessening of the more powerful binding and loosing.)

Harmony of the Gospels

I love John Calvin, but reading his works can be tricky.  He says things that I take as outlandish.  I have decided to start this blog to get these things off my chest.  Talking to my pastor is not a good idea, and the rest of my friends look at Calvin with too much suspicion.  I don't want to influence them against him, so here is my alternative: unload it all on you -- level-headed as you are, I'm sure you won't harbor resentment towards him.  I want to make sure I don't either.

Here's a mild beginning which really reflects on my presuppositions (and so is a very poor example of what I have stated as my purpose): "Those especially whose attachment to ceremonies has been strengthened by long practice cannot endure any novelty, but loudly condemn every thing to which they have not been accustomed."  Well, shoot -- I have to think of you, Calvin, when I read this, and every other reformed type with any kind of liturgy.  Since I am a Baptist member of a Presbyterian church, I sense a little hypocrisy here.  Sorry.