Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A Needless Mass of Inanities

Calvin's Institutes
Book 1 - Knowledge of God the Creator

Chapter 12 - How God is to be so distinguished from idols that perfect honor may be given to Him alone
Section 1 - True religion binds us to God as the one and only God
Knowing God is more than speculation, it involves honoring Him, too.
Holding fast to His direction is the essence of religion. Exodus 20:5
This keeps men from descending into a superstitious "mass of inanities."
We can't just give God most glory; we must give glory only to Him.
Jews, pagans, and now the Church with her saints, have failed in this.

Section 2 - A distinction without a difference
They try to allow prayer to saints with this distinction:
We serve (doulia) saints; we honor (latria) only God.
But Scripture often blurs these two words.

Section 3 - Honoring images is dishonor to God
The Galatians served (doulia) idols before their conversion.
Did that make it okay? (Gal 4:8)
It is fine to bow to men in the civil realm, as an act of honor.
But it is not okay to bow to men or angels in the spiritual realm.
Rev 19:10; 22:8-9. Acts 10:25
This is because it detracts from giving God all glory.

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