Saturday 16 September 2017

14. The manifestation of God in nature speaks to us in vain



In this concise section Calvin uses scripture to show to us the “burning lamps” that point to God’s manifestation in nature and how the human race ignores them.  Using the letter to the Hebrews he explains that we cannot see God at work unless we have the “inner revelation of God through faith” (Hebrews 11:3).  God permits us to go our own way but sends benefits from heaven (Acts 14:14-17) to open our eyes to his work.  Calvin concludes that God “attracts men to the knowledge of Himself with many and varied kindnesses” but that human beings still go their own way and this is their “fatal error”. What kindness do you see in nature placed by the hand of God?  Who do you know who makes the “fatal error” of going their own way?