In his Institutes, Calvin defines “knowledge of God” as:
“that by which we not only conceive that there is a God but also grasp what befits us and is proper to his glory, in fine, what is to our advantage to know of him. Indeed, we shall not say that, properly speaking, God is known where there is no religion or piety” (I.II.1)
The word “piety” has fallen out of favour, but Calvin provides a good definition:
“I call ‘piety’ that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until men recognize that they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him, they will never yield him willing service. Nay, unless they establish their complete happiness in him, they will never give themselves truly and sincerely to him.” (I.ii.1)
Later, he says:
“… although our mind cannot apprehend God without rendering some honor to him, it will not suffice simply to hold that there is One whom all ought to honor and adore, unless we are also persuaded that he is the fountain of every good, and that we must seek nothing elsewhere than in him.”
To drive the point home, Calvin poses a question that must ring in our ears every day:
What help is it, in short, to know a God with whom we have nothing to do?
Indeed.
