Calvin's Institutes: January 17

In today’s reading, Calvin delivers one of his most uncompromising critiques of false religion, arguing that any worship not grounded in God’s self-revelation ultimately replaces the true God with demons. Drawing from Paul and Christ Himself, Calvin shows that even sincere or culturally inherited religion is no refuge from error—ignorance of God is still guilt before Him (Ephesians 2:12; John 4:22; 1 Corinthians 2:8). Creation bears real witness to God, but without faith it cannot guide us to Him rightly. The problem is not lack of evidence but human blindness: though God’s glory is proclaimed loudly by creation, we corrupt that knowledge and exchange it for imagination and tradition (Hebrews 11:3; Romans 1:19; Acts 14:16–17). Calvin’s conclusion is severe but clarifying—humanity is without excuse, not because God has hidden Himself, but because we refuse to listen and insist on worshiping gods of our own making.Explore 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#ThroughTheChurchFathers #JohnCalvin #InstitutesOfTheChristianReligion #ReformedTheology #KnowingGod #ChristianDoctrine