Today in society, secular America has modeled its life from a common ideal of having main stream fun, getting a high paying job, starting a family, and buying lots of things before you die. Through the media and business techniques we’re are quietly persuaded to make lots of money and then spend lots of money. This benefits the economy and stability of government, but does not align with the Christian views of 16th century theologian, John Calvin. He believed that both scripture and nature were ways God reveals himself to us and based his revolutionary ideas off both. Calvin’s main views of Christian ideals to be in this world but not of it consist of total depravity, divine calling, and moderation but is progressed through humanist education
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Calvin believed we have a responsibility to be respectful of Gods creation and use it wisely, much like Adam and Eve were originally instructed in the garden. One aspect of progressing our relationship with God is to be thankful. We must be content and grateful for all the blessings we have on this earth. Those who want everything in excess are hard to become content as they constantly look for more to fill them, without looking for God to fill them. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26) God is all powerful and allows many other living things to thrive as expressed in this verse, therefor we should not take for granted these blessings. As humans we need necessities such as food, water, and shelter. We can enjoy this life on earth but it is more beneficial to fill ourselves with the love of God rather than temporary luxuries. I believe this notion is very important and helpful to keep in mind when we live in this world but are not of it. In Genesis it tells us that everything God created was good, so I don’t think the St. Anthony strategy was the right path to follow. The hagiography about St. Anthony depicts him wandering the desert in isolation and depravity. This contradicts Calvin’s beliefs in the debate whether Christians should practice self denial of everything or just excesses. “one of his acquaintances to bring him bread at intervals of many days, he entered one of the tombs, and the other having shut the door on him, he remained alone” (CWC reading packet, p. 61). St. Anthony lived on the very bare minimums to survive this life and still was depicted as being tortured by demons. Though overcoming struggles does make you stronger and could develop your relationship with God, we aren’t called to
Calvin believed we have a responsibility to be respectful of Gods creation and use it wisely, much like Adam and Eve were originally instructed in the garden. One aspect of progressing our relationship with God is to be thankful. We must be content and grateful for all the blessings we have on this earth. Those who want everything in excess are hard to become content as they constantly look for more to fill them, without looking for God to fill them. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26) God is all powerful and allows many other living things to thrive as expressed in this verse, therefor we should not take for granted these blessings. As humans we need necessities such as food, water, and shelter. We can enjoy this life on earth but it is more beneficial to fill ourselves with the love of God rather than temporary luxuries. I believe this notion is very important and helpful to keep in mind when we live in this world but are not of it. In Genesis it tells us that everything God created was good, so I don’t think the St. Anthony strategy was the right path to follow. The hagiography about St. Anthony depicts him wandering the desert in isolation and depravity. This contradicts Calvin’s beliefs in the debate whether Christians should practice self denial of everything or just excesses. “one of his acquaintances to bring him bread at intervals of many days, he entered one of the tombs, and the other having shut the door on him, he remained alone” (CWC reading packet, p. 61). St. Anthony lived on the very bare minimums to survive this life and still was depicted as being tortured by demons. Though overcoming struggles does make you stronger and could develop your relationship with God, we aren’t called to