“Blogging the Institutes” is my on-going attempt to paraphrase John Calvin’s work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion. You can find out more about the series in the Introduction. For all the posts in this series, check out the Master List.
Even Human Bodies Give Us Knowledge of God
Because the human body has such intricate design, it is no wonder that the philosophers called the body a microcasm, that is, a miniature world. The body shows off God’s power, wisdom, and goodness in a unique way. We could spend all day contemplating the wonders of the human body.
Paul reminds the Athenians that they “might feel for God and find Him.” He also immediately adds that “He is not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27). In other words, every person has evidence of God’s grace within them, by virtue of their own body! Therefore, if we don’t even have to see anything else except our own bodies to know God, then what excuse does a person have not to know God? How lazy does that person have to be not to find Him?
David, after celebrating God’s wonderful name and glory as being displayed everywhere, exclaims, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them?” and again, “You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength.” (Psalm 8:4, 2 NLT). Thus, David not only says that the human race is a mirror of God’s glory, but that even nursing infants are eloquent enough to proclaim His glory without others needing to speak for them. David also does not hesitate to use infants as evidence for God’s knowledge so that he can refute the arguments of those who would try to extinguish the knowledge of God.
Furthermore, Paul quotes Aratus and says, “We are His offspring” (Acts 17:28). Even the different abilities we have testify that God is our Father. Look at that quote again. Even pagan poets recognize that God is the Father of all people. Therefore, no one will voluntarily and willingly devote himself to God’s service unless he first tastes the goodness of God’s Fatherly love.