When we read non-Christian authors, we should be reminded that the amazing power of the human mind when they make incredible insights into the world. The human mind still has many admirable gifts from the Creator even though it is fallen and corrupted by sin. If we recognize that the Spirit of God is the only source of truth, we will be careful to avoid insulting him by not rejecting or condemning truth wherever it appears. When we despise a gift, we insult the Giver.

We cannot deny that truth must have been given to those ancient thinkers who arranged civil order and discipline with so much equity. Philosophers, who do amazing research and have deep insights into human nature, aren’t totally blind, are they? Should we claim that those who teach speaking and rhetoric do not possess real intelligence? Should we claim that the doctors who makes our lives better are raving mad? What should we say about math? Should we designate mathematicians as madmen?

Of course not! We cannot read the ancient writings on these subjects without giving them the highest praise. Their excellence will not allow us to withhold admiration of them. But should we consider anything noble and praiseworthy without tracing it back to the hand of God? May we never be so ungrateful! Even pagan poets acknowledged that philosophy, law, and everything useful was the invention of the gods! Therefore, since these pagan writers were so clear-sighted in their investigation of earthly things, their example should teach us how many gifts the Lord has left inside human nature even though its been corrupted by the fall.

“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.