In today’s reading from Institutes of the Christian Religion Book 2, Chapter 12, Sections 1–4, John Calvin explains why the Mediator had to be both truly God and truly man. Humanity’s sin created a gulf between us and God that we could never cross on our own. No descendant of Adam could restore us, and even the angels could not bridge that distance. Only God could conquer sin, defeat death, and restore righteousness—but it was humanity that had fallen and therefore humanity that needed to obey, suffer, and satisfy divine justice. For this reason the Son of God became man. By taking our nature, Christ could stand in our place, obey the Father where Adam failed, and offer His own flesh as the sacrifice that pays for sin. Yet because He is also truly God, His life has the power to overcome death and grant eternal life. Calvin concludes that Scripture leaves no room for speculation about other reasons for the incarnation: the Son of God took on flesh in order to redeem a fallen world and reconcile sinners to the Father.

Readings:

John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion — Book 2, Chapter 12, Sections 1–4

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