Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
John CalvinRead
The whole world is a theatre for the display of the divine goodness, wisdom, justice, and power, but the Church is the orchestra, as it were—the most conspicuous part of it; and the nearer the approaches are that God makes to us, the more intimate and condescending the communication of his benefits, the more attentively are we called to consider them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that the world is a stage showcasing divine qualities, with the Church playing a central role in interpreting these divine messages.
John Calvin's quote suggests that the world itself is a manifestation of divine attributes like goodness, wisdom, justice, and power, and that the Church serves as the focal point or 'orchestra' which highlights and interprets these attributes. The quote urges us to recognize and reflect on the ways in which God communicates His blessings and goodness to us, especially through the Church, indicating a call for deeper appreciation and understanding of these spiritual influences in our lives.
Themes
TheatreDivineGoodnessChurchWisdomJusticeCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon to emphasize the importance of spirituality in everyday life.
More from John Calvin
All quotes →The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.
John CalvinRead
Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God's majesty.
John CalvinRead
Whomever the Lord has adopted and deemed worthy of His fellowship ought to prepare themselves for a hard, toilsome, and unquiet life, crammed with very many and various kinds of evil.
John CalvinRead
For as the aged, or those whose sight is defective, when any book, however fair, is set before them, though they perceive that there is something written, are scarcely able to make out two consecutive words, but, when aided by glasses, begin to read distinctly, so Scripture, gathering together the impressions of Deity, which, till then, lay confused in our minds, dissipates the darkness, and shows us the true God clearly.
John CalvinRead
When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.
John CalvinRead
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