Podcast Summary

In this final chapter of Calvin's guide to the Christian life, we explore the delicate balance between enjoying God's creation and avoiding the traps of carnal luxury. Calvin forcefully rejects the "inhuman philosophy" of extreme austerity, arguing that God created fruits, flowers, and precious metals not just for our survival, but for our delight and enjoyment. However, he provides three essential guardrails: using the world without abusing it, maintaining contentment in both poverty and plenty, and treating every earthly blessing as a stewardship for which we must give an account. We conclude with Calvin's famous doctrine of vocation, learning that every person has a "station" assigned by God, and that even the most "mean and sordid" work possesses a divine splendor when performed in obedience to our calli ...