Authority Quote by John Calvin
“The Scriptures obtain full authority among believers only when men regard them as having sprung from heaven, as if there the living words of God were heard.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536
Authority of scripture depends on believers perceiving it as divinely inspired, not merely human.
In simple terms: Believers must see the Bible as God‑spoken.
Key Takeaway
Treat scripture as living, divine word.
Themes
faith
authority
interpretation
Mood
reverent
reflective
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church preaching
- personal study
- seminary education
Key Concepts
theology
revelation
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perception shape scriptural authority?
- What evidence convinces you of divine inspiration?
A Different Perspective
If believers reject divine origin, authority collapses.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)