Who Has Authority Over Doctrine? Calvin on the Church | John Calvin

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - The Power of the Church with Respect to Articles of Faith; and How in the Papacy, with Unbridled License, the Church Has Been Led to Corrupt All Purity of DoctrineJohn Calvin argues that the church's doctrinal authority is strictly limited and must be governed by the Word of God. He contends that all spiritual power, whether exercised by individual bishops or collective councils, exists solely for the purpose of upbuilding the faithful. Church leaders are not masters of faith but servants of Christ, who is the only true "schoolmaster" of the church.Historical analysis of the prophets, priests, and apostles reveals a consistent pattern: these messengers were only authorized to speak what God commanded. Their authority resided in their ministry and the Word entrusted to them, not in their personal status. Calvin emphasizes that even Christ, while performing his earthly ministry, taught only what he received from the Father. This revelation reached its perfect radiance and finality in Jesus, meaning no new doctrines or revelations are to be expected or accepted after the New Testament.The text critiques the Roman claim of ecclesiastical infallibility. Calvin rejects the notion that councils are governed by the Spirit apart from the Word, arguing that such claims lead to tyranny and the creation of man-made dogmas. He clarifies that the Holy Spirit does not provide new, secret information but rather illuminates the minds of believers to understand the truth already contained in Scripture. The bond between the Spirit and the Word is indissoluble.Furthermore, the church is described as the "pillar and ground of truth" only because it acts as a faithful custodian of the Word through preaching. Sanctification is an ongoing process, and the church remains "spotted" with defects in this life; therefore, it cannot claim absolute perfection. Ultimately, any legitimate church decree must be a pure exposition of the Law, the Prophets, or Apostolic writings, ensuring that God alone remains the source of spiritual doctrine.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730