...the most perfect way of seeking God...is not for us to attempt with bold curiosity to penetrate to the investigation of His essence, which we ought more to adore than to meticulously search out, but for us to contemplate Him in His works whereby he renders himself near and familiar to us, and in some manner communicates Himself...It is also fitting, therefore, for us to pursue this particular search for God, which may so hold our mental powers suspended in wonderment as at the same time to stir us deeply. And as Augustine teaches elsewhere, because, disheartened by His greatness, we cannot grasp Him, we ought to gaze upon His works, that we may be restored by His goodness.
Institutes 1.5.9 (Battles p 62)
4 comments:
That's a fabulous quotation - and a really helpful point.
Erm, maybe I'm missing something (like a context!) but, not wishing to stir up unnecessarily, isn't "the most perfect way of seeking God" Christ? Isn't it in Jesus that he "renders himself near and familiar to us" and "communicates himself"?
Or, does Calvin mention Christ before this quote or is he leading up to Christ later?
Or, is that what he means by "His works"?
Got a page number so I can find it?
He's leading up to the doctrine of Scripture, but goes into general revelation first. I think 'perfect' is not meant as an ultimate, but in comparison to the other ways of viewing nature.
And the page reference is under the quote....!
Ah, you see where my great powers of observation get me!
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