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John Calvin's Institutes in a Year

John Calvin's Institutes in a Year

by Christopher Michael Patton

History Christianity

Season 2

Calvin's Institutes: May 27

Podcast Description In a world obsessed with self-improvement and moral performance, John Calvin delivers a sobering and liberating diagnosis: apart from Christ, even our best virtues are tainted at the root. Today we explore the total depravity of human nature, the difference between civil virtue and true righteousness, and why only union with Christ can produce works that are genuinely pleasing to God. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion Book 3, Chapter 14, Sections 1–6 Augustine — The Confessions, Book X, Chapter X (Sections X–X) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part X, Question X (Articles X–X) --- Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #TotalDepravity #GraceAlone #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ReformedTheology #ThroughTheChurchFathers

Calvin's Institutes: May 13

Podcast Summary In this episode, John Calvin discusses the cross as a tool for both prevention and correction. We look at the analogy of the "refractory horse" to understand why God must curb our natural arrogance through discipline. Calvin also explains the "badge of honor" found in persecution, showing how earthly losses are transformed into heavenly gains. Finally, we distinguish between Christian patience and mere stoicism, noting that true fortitude is found not in being unfeeling, but in choosing to trust God's goodness even when the sting of pain is fully felt. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 8 (Sections 5–8) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Reformation #Theology #TheCross #Persecution #Sanctification #ImagoDei #Providence #Scripture

Calvin's Institutes: April 20

In today’s episode, we wrap up our deep dive into John Calvin’s landmark chapter on faith by tackling the "anchor" of the Christian life: the certainty of final perseverance and the relationship between faith and hope. We’ll look at Calvin’s sharp rebuttal to the idea that we can only be "sure for today," as he argues that true faith must reach into eternity. We also explore his technical breakdown of faith as "substance" and "evidence"—the internal support that allows us to possess things we cannot yet see or touch. Finally, we discuss how hope serves as the "food and strength" of faith, keeping it alive when God’s promises seem delayed. It’s a powerful conclusion that moves us away from human merit and anchors our entire future in the unwavering truth of God's mercy. Today’s Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 2 (Sections 40–43) The Dynamic Duo: Faith & Hope To understand Calvin's argument in these final sections, it helps to see how he distinguishes the roles of these two virtues while keeping them inseparable. Faith: Focuses on the Truth of God. It believes that God is a Father and has promised mercy. Hope: Focuses on the Timing of God. It expects that God will act as a Father and will fulfill His mercy in the future. The Symbiosis: Faith provides the ground hope stands on; hope provides the oxygen faith needs to survive long delays and trials. Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #Reformation #FaithAndHope #Perseverance #ChristianAssurance #Theology

Calvin's Institutes: April 18

Here’s your podcast, locked to your Calvin-only format and tone: Faith does not rest on circumstances—it rests on the favor of God revealed in Christ. In today’s reading from Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 2, Sections 28–32, John Calvin brings everything to a sharp center: the sum of salvation is found in being reconciled to God. If His face shines upon us, nothing is lacking—even if everything else is. Calvin insists that faith must anchor itself not in commands or threats, but in the free promise of mercy, since only the promise gives life and stability to the soul. From there, he presses deeper—faith does not merely acknowledge God’s truth, but clings to His mercy in Christ, where all promises find their fulfillment. Yet this faith is not static; it depends constantly on the Word and is strengthened by the power of God, even as it wrestles through weakness, doubt, and imperfection. Through examples like Sarah, Rebekah, and Isaac, Calvin shows that faith can be real even when flawed—so long as it remains tethered to the Word. And in the end, everything converges on Christ: every promise, every hope, every assurance. Outside of Him, there is no favor. But in Him, every promise is “Yes and Amen,” and the believer finds not only salvation, but the certainty that God’s love will never fail. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 2, Sections 28–32 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org

Calvin's Institutes: February 6

How do we truly know the invisible God when nature alone leaves us prone to confusion and speculation? In this reading, Calvin explains why Scripture provides a clearer portrait of God than creation by itself ever could, grounding our knowledge of the Creator in the historical account given through Moses. He rebukes arrogant curiosity about time, eternity, and creation, urging humility where God has chosen silence, and shows how the six-day creation displays God’s fatherly wisdom and care. Calvin then turns to the invisible realm, addressing angels not to satisfy curiosity, but to guard against errors that diminish God’s sovereignty or divide creation into rival powers. Throughout, he calls us away from idle speculation and back to Scripture’s plain teaching, where true knowledge leads not to pride, but to reverence, faith, and worship. Readings: John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 14 (Sections 1–5) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #DoctrineOfCreation #Angels #ChristianTheology #ReformedTheology #ScriptureAndNature

Calvin's Institutes: February 5

of God? In today’s reading, Calvin carefully addresses this tension by showing how Scripture speaks of the Father and the Son according to order and role without dividing the divine essence. He explains Christ’s words as Mediator, clarifies passages that seem to imply inferiority, and demonstrates that the Son’s submission belongs to His redemptive office, not to His nature. Drawing on Irenaeus, Tertullian, and the broader consensus of the Fathers, Calvin dismantles claims that early Christianity knew only the Father as God, showing instead a consistent confession of one God in three persons. The result is a sober, historically grounded defense of Trinitarian faith that guards both Christ’s full divinity and the unity of God without speculation or distortion. Readings: John Calvin, The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 13 (Sections 26–29) Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #Trinity #Christology #ReformedTheology #ChurchFathers #NiceneFaith

Season 1

Calvin's Institutes: July 31

Today’s Readings Podcast Description The ordinary offices of the Church—pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons—are of perpetual duration. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he carefully distinguishes the temporary offices of apostles, prophets, and evangelists from the lasting ministry that builds up the body of Christ. Pastors are called to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments, and exercise discipline; elders assist in governance; and deacons care for the poor. These offices are not human inventions but the Lord’s appointed means for the edification of his people. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 5–9 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ChurchOffices #Pastors #Elders #Deacons #Ministry

Calvin's Institutes: July 30

Today’s Readings Podcast Description The Lord rules his Church by his word, yet he has chosen to use the ministry of men. In these opening sections of Chapter 3 from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows why God employs pastors and teachers: to humble us, to bind us together in love, and to build up the body of Christ. The ordinary offices of pastor and teacher are essential and perpetual; without them the Church cannot be preserved. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 3, Sections 1–4 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ChurchMinistry #Pastors #Teachers #Gospel

Calvin's Institutes: July 29

Today’s Readings Podcast Description The true Church stands or falls by the pure preaching of the word and the right administration of the sacraments. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he shows why the Church of Rome cannot claim to be the true Church despite its outward forms and claims of succession. Where the gospel is corrupted and idolatry reigns, the Church ceases to exist. Calvin calls us to hold fast to Christ and his word rather than empty masks. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 2, Sections 9–12 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #TrueChurch #FalseChurch #Gospel #Reformation

Calvin's Institutes: July 28

Today’s Readings Podcast Description The true Church is built on the word of God, not on external forms or human succession. In these sections from John Calvin’s Institutes, he contrasts the true Church with the false claims of Rome. Calvin shows that where the gospel is corrupted and the sacraments perverted, the Church ceases to exist, no matter how loudly succession or ancient titles are claimed. We must hold fast to Christ and his word rather than empty masks. Readings: John Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 4, Chapter 2, Sections 4–8 Explore the Project: Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.com Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpatton Credo Courses – https://www.credocourses.com Credo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org #ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #TrueChurch #WordOfGod #Gospel #Reformation

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