Calvin's Institutes: April 11

Today’s ReadingsJohn Calvin — Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 2, Chapter 17 (Sections 1–6) Augustine — The Confessions, Book 8, Chapter 5 (Section 12) Thomas Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 26 (Articles 1–4 Combined)You don’t change because you lack knowledge—you remain stuck because of what you love. John Calvin reminds us that salvation itself does not begin with us at all, but with God’s prior love and grace, working through Christ who did not act for Himself but entirely for us, securing what we could never produce. Augustine of Hippo then exposes the inner reality: two wills at war, one pulling toward God, the other held captive by habit—saying “soon” while remaining unchanged, not because truth is unclear, but because love is divided. And Thomas Aquinas gives the structure behind it all: love is the first movement of the soul, the starting point from which every desire, fear, and action flows. Put it together and the conclusion is unavoidable—your life is not primarily directed by what you know, but by what you love most. And that love, left to itself, does not drift upward. It must be reshaped.Today’s ReadingsCalvin — Institutes, Book 2, Chapter 17Augustine — Confessions, Book 8, Chapter 5Aquinas — Summa Theologica, Part 1–2, Question 26Explore the Project:Through the Church Fathers – https://www.throughthechurchfathers.comPatreon – https://www.patreon.com/cmichaelpattonCredo Courses – https://www.credocourses.comCredo Ministries – https://www.credoministries.org