Institutes of the Christian Religion (John Calvin) - Book 1, Chapter 16

How can a loving, all-powerful God allow suffering? Are our choices truly ours if God controls everything? These are questions that have haunted humanity for centuries, and John Calvin doesn’t shy away from tackling them head-on. In this episode of The Deep Dive, titled "Providence Paradox," we dive deep into Calvin’s thought-provoking exploration of divine providence—God’s absolute sovereignty over every detail of life, even the darkest moments.

Join us as we unpack Calvin’s distinction between God's hidden will and revealed will, his nuanced perspective on human free will, and why even evil actions can’t escape God’s ultimate plan. We’ll explore stories like Judas’s betrayal and the trials of Job, where divine purpose collides with human suffering in ways we may never fully grasp. Whether you're questioning how faith and suffering can coexist or simply seeking to understand the profound mysteries of God’s sovereignty, this episode offers a lens through which you can find hope, trust, and purpose in life’s toughest questions.

Sources Cited:

• Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
• Works by D.A. Carson on God's sovereignty and human freedom

Biblical References:

• Job 1-2 (Satan's permission to test Job)
• Matthew 26:14-16 (Judas’s betrayal of Jesus)
• Romans 5:3-4 (Suffering produces endurance, builds character, and gives hope)
• Psalm 23:4 (Valley of the shadow of death)
• Isaiah 55:8-9 (God’s thoughts and ways beyond human understanding)

Disclaimer: Created using AI, based on the original writings of the theologians referenced.

Institutes of the Christian Religion (John Calvin) – Book 1 – Chapter 16-17

How much control does God really have over our lives? If He is truly sovereign, what does that mean for our choices, our suffering, and the moments when life seems to spiral out of control? These are the kinds of profound questions we grapple with in this episode of Sovereign Threads: Unraveling God's Providence and Our Choices.

John Calvin’s exploration of divine providence offers us a radical perspective on God's intimate involvement in every detail of creation—guiding not just the grand events but even the smallest moments in our lives. But how do God's plans coexist with human free will? And if God is orchestrating everything, where does that leave us in the face of suffering and tragedy? Through vivid analogies and Calvin’s own writings, we navigate the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom, uncovering how this theological concept can bring hope and clarity in the midst of life’s hardest questions.

Join us as we explore the profound idea that God is the ultimate captain, steering us toward our destination—even when we cannot see the shore. Learn how Calvin’s view of providence can transform our understanding of pain, success, and even the everyday moments that make up our lives. We also explore how Calvin’s theology contrasts with naturalism, Eastern religions, and other worldviews, inviting a broader discussion on the nature of suffering, love, and divine purpose.

Sources Cited:

• John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 16
• Romans 8:28
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Genesis 50:20 (Story of Joseph)
• The Book of Job (Story of Job)

Disclaimer: Created using AI, based on the original writings of the theologians referenced.

Institutes of the Christian Religion (John Calvin) - Book 1 - Chapter 15

What does it mean to be truly human? Are we simply beings driven by choices, or is there something more profound, more divine, embedded within us? In this episode, we explore one of the most essential questions of human existence through the lens of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion. Calvin's reflections on the Imago Dei—the image of God—invite us to reconsider our origins, our capacity for good, and the tragic nature of the fall. Why did humanity, created so magnificently, choose to turn away from its Creator? And how does our free will, as Calvin understood it, shape both the beauty and the brokenness of our lives?

Journey with us as we uncover Calvin’s nuanced view of humanity's original state, free will, and the significance of our physical and spiritual reflection of God's nature. How can these centuries-old ideas illuminate modern questions about identity, purpose, and the struggle between good and evil? Along the way, we’ll examine how theologians like NT Wright and CS Lewis, and even historian Tom Holland, have been influenced by Calvin’s ideas, exploring their continued relevance today.

Citations:

• John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 15
• NT Wright, The Day the Revolution Began
• CS Lewis, The Problem of Pain
• Tom Holland, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World

Bible Passages:

• Genesis 1:26-27
• Ecclesiastes 12:7
• Colossians 3:23-24

Disclaimer: Created using AI, based on the original writings of the theologians referenced.