John Calvin Metaphors

In a time of chaos, the words, “God is in control,” can bring peace to believers and non-believers alike. This phrase has found its way to bumper stickers, Hallmark cards, and Facebook post, and in many ways it has become a junk drawer phrase – one that we pull out when we need a comforting cliché. When pandemonium breaks loose and we seem to have lost all control, then it is convenient for God to be in “control.” But what about when things are not? What if things are relatively normal.

​In Jonathan Edward’s sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, Edwards uses fear and intimidation to persuade his congregation to escape the wrath of God. In the sermon he uses metaphors to gain control over the congregation. Another reason why Jonathan Edwards uses metaphors is to prove his point to the congregation. Edwards also links the spiritual world to the physical world of the listeners. He uses metaphors to dramatize human powerlessness. He states that human has much chance of keeping out of hell.

In this paper, there will be research on the Gospel of Matthew from Daniel Harrington’s commentary “The Gospel of Matthew”, This paper will explain the teachings of the “6 Antithesis” in chapter 5 verses 21-48, and the main point on “Jesus came not to abolish but to “fulfill” the Law and Prophets (Harrington 90).” This paper will also have Daniel Harrington interpretations of the writing of the gospel of Matthew. I believe that Jesus had a reason for his teachings and how he went forward to preach them to the congregation.

When looking in the Gospel of Matthew 15:21-28 and the Gospel of Mark 7:24-30 one can find that each of these pieces of their respective gospels have both some similarities and differences. There is evidence of overlap between these two which are quite easy to find whilst one is reading the sections of each. There also are points in which these two accounts diverge from one another by either telling a certain part of the other gospel in a different way, removing content from one of the other gospels, or adding something that may not have been referenced or described in the other. Either way these accounts from Matthew and Mark both have connections to each other even if not visible on the surface.

1. Using the book, notes, and biblical text itself, choose two of the Gospels and compare and contrast their presentation of the life of Christ. Be sure to include how things like the authors’ background and audience affect their message.

11 Is there anyone among you who if your child asks for a fish, will give you a snake instead of a fish? (Luke 9:11). Alternatively Matthew asserts, “Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread will give a stone? (Matt 7:11). In the time of Jesus, the limestones were the same shape and color of bread. In Luke the serpent or eel resembled fish. In Jewish law the eel would be considered unclean and not fit for consumption. This passage stresses, “An earthly father will not give a son who begs of him something for sustenance (a fish or an egg) something similar-looking, but which is a possible source of evil to him” (Luke X 914). Just as an earthly father will protect their child, our Heavenly Father and His infinite wisdom will only answer prayers in an infinite way. He will give to them the extreme gift of the Holy Spirit from those that seek it.

“In fact, one of the primary purpose of this Gospel may have been attempt to link the story of Jesus with the history of Israel. Any reader of Matthew who wants to go deeply into this Gospel must be alert to its Jewish background.”

This is the secret diary of Reverend Hale, one that is disguised by one of the gospels to prevent any un-favored eyes from looking upon this. I am writing on the third night after the arrival in the so called bedeviled town. Ever since I have left my home I have not slept. It seems that all day I run around like a mad-man attempting to purge the calamity of Salem. This village would be like any other, if not for the evil permeating this town. That is my sole mission from God now, to seek out the Devil and restore liberty to all. I am ordained by The Almighty, and I shall see it through.

In John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion he spends a great deal of time expounding his doctrine of God's Divine providence in all of creation. He explains not only how God continually governs the laws of nature, but also how God governs man's actions and intentions to bring about His own Divine Will. Calvin believes that God's providence is so encompassing in creation that even a man's own actions, in many ways, are decreed by God. Because of this belief there arises the question, "Does Calvin leave room for the free will of man?"

In chapter 2 the author discusses the difference between virtues and morals. “Virtues are qualities of a person that make that person a good person in community, and that contribute to the good of the community, or to the good for which humans are designed. They are qualities of character. For example, a good person has integrity and seeks justice. Moral ideals in this sense are moral aspirations to strive for, out beyond human reach. This then creates an ethics of moral idealism.” The author also talks about Matthew chapter 5 and the Sermon on the Mount, or the Beatitudes. He talks the idealistic interpretation of the Beatitudes; there is also a grace – based prophetic interpretation, and how shall we relate gospel virtues to traditional virtues.

Calvin then deviates from Luther regarding the next, natural question of justification and our sinful life, which is salvation. He states that God's sovereignty takes the initiative for God's favor and that "for some eternal life is pre-ordained, for others eternal damnation..." (228). Luther urges his reader’s faithful consideration of scripture, Christ's death on the cross and his completeness and in his Lectures on Romans, "If there were not the divine purpose, and our salvation rested upon our wills and our works, it (salvation) would be based on chance" (247 ch. 8). The two positions on predestination vary slightly but yield significantly different outcomes regarding the works of humankind.

The books of Matthew and 1 Corinthians are mainly focused around love and what that is supposed to look like through Christ. Starting with Matthew, it begins by walking us through the birth of Jesus and all of the events that took place during and after. It also talks about his baptism and specifically that John the baptist was who performed it. After everything about Jesus’ early life is introduced, it jumps straight into his preaching. Chapter four of Matthew is where it really begins to talk about Jesus’ work. Not only does it introduce us to his preaching styles, but it also quickly introduces Satin who seems to follow Jesus around for a while attempting to cause problems.

The beatitudes are just a sample of the many teachings that this book has to offer.

For this Bible study, my passage comes from Matthew 8:5-13. It is the story of the Roman Centurion with the servant who was very sick. This is the Centurion whom Jesus said had the greatest faith in all of Israel.

For this assignment I have decided to write an exegesis of Matthew 17:1-13. I have chosen the New International Version (NIV) as it is easier to read and understand. The New Spirit Filled Life Bible commentary explains that the book of Mathew was written around A.D 50-75 (Hayford 1321). The author is not exactly known, but it is attributed to Matthew. The major theme of this book is that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, and that he is the Son of God.