April and May 2020 COVID-19 How can Calvin help?

Human beings now face a new threat, the COVID-19 Pandemic.  We wonder where God can be in the midst of human suffering across all age groups, races and genders.  Many may seek comfort in words from the Bible such as St. Paul writing in Romans 8:38-39.  Calvin refers to these verses repeatedly in Book III of the Institutes including chapter 14 “The way in which we receive the grace of Christ”.  He maintains that the godly are always victors over such trials with the reason from Romans 8:37 “on account of Him who loved us” (God).  In book 3:24 and section 6 Calvin reminds us that we can know that “our election is irrevocable and lasting” thus confirming the words of St. Paul that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).  Is this something you can claim for yourself during the COVID-19 pandemic?

9. The transmission of the law is to be trusted

“Certain rascals bawl out in corners in order to display the keenness of their wit in assailing God’s truth”.  Calvin is critical of those who do not trust the Old Testament law and doubt the existence of Moses.  He does not appreciate those who doubt Moses but have no problem with Aristotle or Cicero.  In our time many will regard politicians as speaking the entire truth, revealed in social media or believe what they read on the Internet verbatim without applying any criticism or critical thought.  The quality of the words we read in the Bible is their enduring nature – they have sustained Christian believers for centuries, often when those people are facing persecution and extreme trial.  What would you trust the most- the Word of God articulated in the Bible or your nest Twitter Feed?

8. God has confirmed the prophetic words

Calvin uses several of the Old Testament prophetic books to illustrate his belief that God confirms the words of the prophets with later actions in history.  Can you believe that this is still true today?  The answer depends on whether we can work out who are the prophets who disclose God’s purposes today?  How do the prophets of today come?  Could it be with unusual dress, living habits or arcane language?  Do they incite others to take action? If so then what is that action and would we support it?  Prophecy is not fortune telling.  It is the forth telling and expression of God’s will.  Who would you regard as a prophet of the twenty first century?

7. Prophecies that are fulfilled contrary to all human expectation

Calvin uses the primacy of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10) and the Kingship of David as examples of prophecy indicating events that would not be according to what human beings might expect. Somehow in our world today we have been persuaded that Presidents and Prime Ministers will originate from certain classes and professional backgrounds.  The idea that a King might have begun his working life a s a herdsman feels alien to the ways of our world.  Yet this is the enduring power of the living God to which Calvin draws our attention and defends.  Where do we see that paradox, the inversion of our human aspiration?  When we see it do we attribute it to God’s power?

6. Moses’ Miracles are incontestable

Can you believe that the miracles performed by Moses are the actions of the living God? Or are you tempted to see them as some sort of primitive magic arts? Calvin believed that those who did see them in this way had been deceived by evil “the father of lies”. He also suggests that through these miracles God taught and guided the Israelite nation that unbelief would not work.  So the miraculous manna from heaven comes with a warning not to take too much (Exodus 16:19-20) thus guiding the people away from a path of greed.  Some would not accept this guidance and rose up against God.  According to Calvin this does not impair the quality of the miracle, it highlights the “pride and insolence” of the people.  Do you think that God can teach and guide you through miracles today?  Are you too proud to accept God’s guidance?

5. Miracles strengthen the authority of God’s messengers

How would you define a miracle?  Have you seen one in your life time? Or do miracles take place at all now that we have science and technology?

Calvin outlines many miracles that took place when Moses was the leader of the fledgling nation of Israel – such as Moses being taken into a cloud and being without fellowship for forty days (Exodus 24:18). Calvin insists that the works of God through miracles strengthen the authority of God’s messengers.  Would you rate more highly those who perform miracles?  In some traditions it is necessary to perform a miracle to be declared a saint.  How would you rate the miracles of Jesus? Would it matter whether it was a healing miracle or a feeding one?

4. The truthfulness of scripture shown by Moses’ example

In our celebrity culture personalities are elevated beyond reasonable expectation of fallen humanity: they become almost like gods to their followers.  Then when their sinfulness becomes known the media pounce and they are publicly pilloried.  Calvin gives the example of Moses who was unafraid to speak of the sinfulness of his own family mentioning the iniquity of Simeon and Levi and the grumbling of his brother Aaron.  Yet Calvin remains convinced that Moses was like an angel and thus testifies to the truth of scripture.  Who do you know who points to the grace of God working tin the lives of frail human beings yet is unafraid of admitting their sinfulness and need of the Holy Spirit?