1. Scripture superior to all human
wisdom
If you had to
choose a favourite author then who might you choose: Shakespeare, Chaucer or a
more contemporary writer: Ian Hislop, Chaim Potok or Carol Ann Duffy? In this section of the Institutes Calvin
argues that the effect of scripture on human beings is greater than anything
else. He says that “Of human writings
however artfully polished, there is none capable of affecting us all comparably”. Calvin’s examples of writings lesser than scripture
include Demosthenes, Cicero, Plato and Aristotle. Scripture will “penetrate your heart” and “fix
in your very marrow”. Would this be true
for you? Which Bible passages affect you
in this manner? In this section Calvin
asserts that scripture “breathes something divine”. Can you agree?
