Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.

Class journal on Calvin’s Institutes reading

October 20th, 2010

I had never tied self-denial to loving others the way Calvin explains it.  Who wants to hear that each of us “bears a kind of kingdom in his own breast?”  And, “there is no one who does not cherish within himself some opinion of his own preeminence.”

  How painfully true.  Just when I think I’ve made headway in this something happens that shows how far I have to go.  This afternoon getting ready to board a flight out of Mexico City I was close to the front of the line waiting for my Priority Access boarding.  That is a perk I enjoy, but also one I need with the extra carry-on baggage.   In many countries lines don’t mean much and boarding by numbers is mostly ignored.  So, I assumed that the couple in front of me was doing just that, jumping in line when they should be in the back.  To my shame I admit that they appeared to be simple folks.  I was even so bold as to ask if they were Priority Access boarders.  They kindly nodded affirmatively.  Now, although I have early boarding privileges, I travel the coach section.  To my surprise as I followed the couple on the plane, they were actually sitting in Business Class.  I took my seat on the plane and began my class reading in Calvin’s Institutes.  It was the chapter on self-denial.  I stand corrected and humbled.  Scripture bids me to act toward others so as to esteem them as above myself.  The evidence of progress in this is self-forgetfulness, where the yearning to possess, the desire for power, the clamoring for favor and ambition that sees others as obstacles or opportunities is uprooted.

14 Comments »

  1. Hi Steve. I am a convert to Catholicism from the Evangelical world … I was STUNNED to know how much has been written on this very topic by some of the great saints. St. Catherine of Sienna, St. John of the Cross, St. Augustine, and on and on. If you would permit me, I have a question for you I would like to ask privately on email. Please email me at the above address if you would allow me to ask. Thank you.

    Comment by Marilyn — October 20, 2010 @ 12:41 pm

  2. P.S. Look up the Litany of Humility for a beautiful prayer regarding this exact topic.

    Comment by Marilyn — October 20, 2010 @ 12:48 pm

  3. Steve, thanks for sharing this - I just had this powerful reminder this morning at Starbucks when someone cut in front of me… a constant reminder of my innate/learned selfishness!

    Comment by Jeff Hooper — October 20, 2010 @ 12:59 pm

  4. Thanks for sharing this with us Steve. I think all of us have this problem at one time or another but I am always impressed with your humility.

    Comment by Marilyn Weaver — October 20, 2010 @ 2:52 pm

  5. Thanks, Steve.
    As much as we are valued by the Lord, He wants us to value others the same way…I need that reminder daily.

    Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — October 21, 2010 @ 5:35 pm

  6. Yes, great reminder…as believers in Christ we should always be self-forgetting lover of others.

    Comment by Elizabeth Davis — October 21, 2010 @ 6:52 pm

  7. I am quite disapointed. I always had high respect for you Steve and specially the talent that God gave you. Anybody that follows Calvin follows men. Following men requires repentance from God. God bless you.

    Comment by Tony — October 21, 2010 @ 10:18 pm

  8. Tony, you jump to conclusions, make false assumptions and over-generalize. When you pick up your Bible to read, you are relying on men who gave you that translation. Since the Bible is a foreign book, written to foreign cultures in foreign languages over a span of several thousand years, we must rely on those who have studied the ancient manuscripts to give us the most accurate translation possible. Still, since there are no original documents available we rely on men who copied them. Anyone’s theological perspective is tainted somewhat by the teaching they have received. So, it’s impossible to not be affected in some way by men. What is important, is to prayerfully and humbly approach God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct us to the author’s intent. While no one gets it all perfectly, we can come to a clearer understanding by avoiding the pitfalls of pride, independence (failing to look at historical orthodoxy) and independent interpretation. We need the body to help us. This fall I am taking a seminary course on Calvin’s text. I do not claim to be a follower of Calvin, but of Jesus. If anything, Calvin’s text has pointed me toward God’s majesty, mercy and amazing grace.

    Comment by steve — October 22, 2010 @ 2:14 pm

  9. Hello,
    I Corinthians 2:15
    But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
    My husband and I saw you 2 times and drove from PA. We spoke to you at the Hartville Kitchen and I was asking you about getting a recorder.You spoke about your parents and how you felt about your father’s illness. My mother passed away this year on July 4th, not long after we saw you. We saw you again with our 2 boys in Mansfield.We really were blessed by the presence of God in your concerts and how God has blessed you. I have a good friend who is a beautiful Christian woman and ministers to many people. I played her your CD and she bought a bunch to give out and was telling how she loves it because it gives glory to God and focuses on Him. I know what you mean about how we can feel superior to others! How wonderful that the Holy Spirit shows us things about ourselves and deals with us so patiently.

    Comment by Marie — October 23, 2010 @ 8:35 am

  10. Calvin’s words and your words Steve deeply humbled me. It is very true. Deep inside we all want to be number one, and this desire directly contradicts the humility shown by our Lord. It destroys rather than builds.

    Comment by arlan — October 25, 2010 @ 4:06 pm

  11. Hi Steve

    I simply love your work. Mostly because I hear the Gospel in your songs and lyrics.

    Been a dedicated fan of your music since I became a Christian back in 1994. I saw you when you were in Cape Town (1995-6)?

    I understand / agree with Calvin’s Theology and I am follower of Jesus too!

    I get much stick by many Christians because of this, but I’m learning to absorb comments of many.

    I just wanted to say thank you for your boldness and for exercising your God given talent.

    Praying for you brother

    Best

    Simo

    Comment by Simo — December 9, 2010 @ 2:38 am

  12. Er… I hope Tony was just being tongue-in-cheek there.

    Steve, this is a good post, and sometimes I think you’re almost TOO hard on yourself. I don’t want to give you a big head, but I think you’re almost painfully modest sometimes—to the point where even God is saying, “It’s okay Steve… it’s okay.”

    You’re a godly man, and I respect you. It’s wonderful that you’re still growing in the Lord, but… don’t beat yourself up too much!

    Much love, and here’s wishing you and yours a great Christmas!

    Comment by Bethel — December 12, 2010 @ 9:00 pm

  13. Steve…My whole understanding of the majesty, grace and sovereignty of God became real for the first time when I attended and joined Dr. D. James Kennedy’s church. Sometimes I wonder how artists like you put up with those who think they’ve already arrived and know ALL the answers. My favorite on the reformed faith, “The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination,” by Loraine Boettner.

    Comment by Chuck Maglaughlin — September 5, 2011 @ 1:47 pm

  14. Steve, what a joy to write to you. My wife and I have followed your ministry for years. I just left federal prison after 2 years for not paying all of my taxes. I have been humbled. Christ has been faithful to me while disciplining me severely. I know that I belong to Him. I will obey Him. “Before I was afflicted, I went astray. But now I keep your law.” Thank you for ministry to many. While I walked the track many days, I thought of “Emmaus” many times. Thank You. God bless you.

    Comment by Tim Smith — December 9, 2011 @ 9:22 am

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