Our Visible Mother

The Reformation was a breakaway from a late medieval corruption of part of the Church. In many ways, it makes more sense to think of the Roman Catholic Church as the one leaving the standards, beliefs and practices of the ancient church. It only looks like Protestants broke off because they left the old buildings and lit the world on fire with the Gospel. Many today have a high view of the invisible church, by which they mean all the truly saved whom we cannot know for certain or see or interact with until we die. They think this is a reformational viewpoint and that a high view of that shabby group who meets in the building down the street with the sign and coffee brewing after service doesn’t deserve the same esteem. Only Papists think forgiveness and authority resides in the church. Read this quote and tell me, without reading after it, who wrote it. Or just guess: Roman Catholic or Protestant?

…because it is now our intention to discuss the visible church, let us learn from the simple title “mother” how useful, indeed how necessary, it is that we should know her. For there is no other way to enter into life unless this mother conceive us in her womb, give us birth, nourish us at her breast, and lastly, unless she keep us under her care and guidance until, putting off mortal flesh, we become like the angels. Our weakness does not allow us to be dismissed from her school until we have been pupils all our lives. Furthermore away from her bosom one cannot hope for any forgiveness of sins or any salvation.

None other than John Calvin himself (Institutes, 4.1.4). The Reformers were not interested in faith apart from the Church or diminishing its (rather her) authority. They only maintained the authority was a fallible one, beneath the Bible, but true and honorable nonetheless, much like our earthly mothers. The Church is our spiritual mother, and Calvin refers to the visible Church on earth, what the medievals referred to as the Church militant. She teaches, guides, defends and nourishes us during our life on earth. Those who avoid the “institutional church” (as if there could be another kind) with all of its faults and sins, simply because it is an institution, are forsaking their mother because she isn’t perfect.

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