Frustrated with Church? Calvin Understands.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 4:00AM I suspected I would enjoy Calvin's Institutes, and I shouldn't even be surprised by how things really haven't changed even though we live in very different times. Take this section by Calvin in which he discusses the marks of the church:
When we say that the pure ministry of the word and pure celebration of the sacraments is a fit pledge and earnest, so that we may safely recognize a church in every society in which both exist, our meaning is, that we are never to discard it so long as these remain, though it may otherwise teem with numerous faults. Nay, even in the administration of word and sacraments defects may creep in which ought not to alienate us from its communion. For all the heads of true doctrine are not in the same position.
Translation: You're never going to find a perfect church, or one with perfect doctrine, so be satisfied with one that preaches God's Word and celebrates the sacraments - and they may not even do that perfectly.
But what about the people who can be so frustrating? You know who I'm talking about. Calvin warns us that some are imbued with "a false persuasion of absolute holiness" and "spurn the society of all in whom they see that something human still remains."
Still others sin "not so much from that insane pride as from inconsiderate zeal." These people get carried away with wanting a pure church. "For where the Lord requires mercy they omit it, and give themselves up to immoderate severity." We shouldn't do this. Calvin uses the example of the church in Corinth. Despite its many faults, Paul "acknowledges and heralds them as a Church of Christ, and a society of saints."
Lots more on this topic. I have a feeling that Calvin would have something to say about many of our discussions about institutional churches vs. house churches and so on.
I find his approach refreshing these days when we tend to want church just as we like it. In general: find a church that has the marks of being a true church, and that's pretty much enough. Don't expect everything to agree with you on every matter, don't expect perfection, and don't get too discouraged by the mess. They may look like a mess, but they're actually a community of saints.
Frustrated with church? Calvin understands, but sure doesn't want us to give up on it.
Reader Comments (9)
Wait. Stop. You're posts are making me start to like the guy. :-)And now I'm going to have to stop just looking @ my copy of the Institutes and actually read the volumes.
I need to borrow that copy of the institutes Dad (Bill). The more I hear about Calvin's writing from secondhand sources, the more I realize that there was much more to him than predestination. Great post Darryl, it reminds me of the dangers of shopping for churches alluded to by CS Lewis in the Screwtape Letters. The more we look for what we want in a church the less we look to establish ourselves in the necessary messiness of a church community.
I have never been a fan of Calvinism, but I have always had a special place in my heart of Calvin. The guy has some good things to say.
Remind me to remove that mirror in the hallway, will you Darryl? I'm seeing way too much of myself these days!
Well Art, are you saying you're putting on weight or have you joined a nudist colony?
I'm curious to know more about the context of Cauvin's comment here. Is he meaning to suggest that seperation from the Roman community would be a mistake?
Paul:No. Soon after he explains that he believed, at least in his day, that the Catholic church had lost its way.
Thanks, Darryl. A good example of the Calvin that few people know. After I read the Institutes for the first time, I concluded that all evangelical theology since Calvin is just footnotes to the Institutes. As a thinker and writer, he was centuries ahead of his time.
I AM putting on weight, Trish,... and what I wear in the privacy of my home does not bare(:^) mentioning!Actually though, I was referring to the fact that I am prone to criticizing that "community of saints." NOT that I think I am better than they, nor that I expect a perfect church. After all, if they let ME in the door,.....