Section 11: The Evidence of God in Creation Does Not Profit Us.
We see God in the world around us, his good creation, and this knowledge is to draw us to God and stir in us hope for the future life. But because of our dullness of sin, this knowledge is of no use to us. How many of us, Calvin asks, when we consider the work of God's hands, do not think of him but look at the works themselves as if they were the whole of it? People would rather think that we are governed by pure chance and fortune rather than by God's providence: "one and all, we forsake the one true God for prodigious trifles."
In this "the whole tribe of philosophers" shows their "stupidity and silliness." "And what might not happen to others when the leading minds, whose task it is to light the pathway for the rest, wander and stumble!" If those who by their own God-given talents and abilities turn away from God, what can we expect from those who follow their lead? Thus the revelation of himself which God displays in the world comes to naught by our own dullness and blindness.
Section 12: The Manifestation of God is Choked by Human Superstition and the Error of the Philosophers.
Calvin begins this section with a great image: "each man's mind is like a labyrinth," and so it is no wonder we wander away from true knowledge and worship of God. "Surely, just as waters boil up from a vast, full spring, so does an immense crowd of gods flow forth from the human mind, while each one, wandering about with too much license, wrongly invents this or that about God himself." Here again Calvin speaks against the philosophers who seem to be the best at this kind of wandering. Either they invent gods of their own making, or deny God altogether--neither of which comes near to true worship, and they lead others in their wanderings.
Section 13: The Holy Spirit Rejects all Cults Contrived by Men.
Any one who corrupts true religion separates him or herself from the one and only God. Thus without the Holy Spirit, we are all without God. Even the best of the invented religions does not measure up to the true religion, for this world cannot understand the wisdom of God. We are not excused if we simply stand on the way of our fathers, for "each man will stand upon his own judgment rather than subject himself to another's decision." Because we are too dull to see God, "it remains for God himself to give witness of himself from heaven."
Section 14: The Manifestation of God in Nature Speaks to Us in Vain.
"It is therefore in vain that so many burning lamps shine for us in the workmanship of the universe to show forth the glory of its Author. Although they bathe us wholly in their radiance, yet they can of themselves in now way lead us into the right path. Surely they strike some sparks, but before their fuller light shines forth they are smothered." We cannot see God in his works unless our eyes are so opened by the Holy Spirit. The evidence is their and clear, but of ourselves we cannot see it or rightly comprehend it.
Section 15: We Have No Excuse.
We cannot blame this situation on God, for the dullness, Calvin explains, exists within us. We cannot excuse ourselves with ignorance, for "as if this defense may be properly admitted, for a man to pretend that he lacks ears to hear the truth when there are mute creatures with more than melodious voices to declare it; or for a man to claim that he cannot see with his eyes what eyeless creatures point out to him; or for him to plead feebleness of mind when even irrational creatures give instruction!" We are left with no excuse for not knowing God. Rather than following the instruction of nature, we see what it says, and invent for ourselves our own gods rather than worship the one true God.
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Reflection: Here is the last of Calvin's explanation that God is clearly shown in the world around us, but that the knowledge of him is hidden to us because of our own sinful nature. While a little repetitive, Calvin works in a kind of narrowing spiral until we come to his main point: we have no excuse not to know God.
If God's works and providence are clearly know from his creation, as he first created and now sustains it, we as Christians, whose eyes have been opened by the Spirit to see this, have absolutely no excuse not to praise and magnify God at all times. Every leaf we see, every tree, every morning in which we wake up in the midst of God's work and providence, ought to inspire us to praise and glorification. But how often do we take this for granted? I worked on a tractor on my uncle's farm for 10 years. Out in the fields all day, pretty much every day during the summers. But did all that I saw cause me to think of God all day, to praise his wonderful work? More often than not I took it for granted, or even grumbled about it as I was cold and wet, or hot and sweaty. I had moments when I could not help but see God everywhere, but these were not as often as I would now wish.
While this 'general revelation' certainly leaves the unbeliever without excuse (which as Christians is the moral we often take from it), more so does it leave us with no excuse not to extol the virtues and mercy of our great and glorious God. As Calvin said, if the foolish are without excuse, those who lead them are even less so. We as Christians have eyes to see, we should use this sight to show God to those who are blind.
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