John Calvin

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John Calvin
1509-1564
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Key Characters
King Francis 1st
John Calvin
Nicholas Cop
John Knox
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About Calvin

• Lived from 1509-1564
• Second Generation Reformer
• 1532 gets law degree
• After his father dies he goes back to study
  humanism and publishes first work on Seneca, on
  the Clemency
• Very private man
• Conversion said to occur 1533-1534

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About his Conversion

• In his preface to the Psalms he shows us another
  experience God in his secret providence finally
  curbed and turned me in another direction. At
  first, although I was so obstinately given to the
  superstitions of the papacy, that it was
  extremely difficult to drag me from the depths of
  the mire, yet be a sudden conversion He tamed my
  heart and made it teachable, this heart which for
  its age was excessively hardened in such
  matters.
• His conversion much like Luthers liberation by
  mercy of God
• His conversion attested to May of 1534 when
  returned to Noyon

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Conversion Contd

• Calvins conversion must be accounted as one of
  the most momentous events in the history of
  grace. Its said that God moulded him into a
  theologian of outstdanding systematic ability, a
  Biblical commentator unsurpassed in spiritual
  penetration and hermeneutical acumen, and
  organizer who shaped both the civil laws of
  Geneva and the futurecourse of its university
  Pastor Paul Mizzi

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Problem of France

• France moving toward absolute monarchy
• King Francis 1st not tolerating the reform
  movements
• Reformers unable to find security and had to flee
  or face public confession to the police
• un roi, une loi, une foi, one king, one law,
  one faith!

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To Geneva

• Nicholas Cop gives inaugural speech Nov. 1, 1533,
  asks professors to obey God in spite of
  persecution
• Calvin assumes hes a suspect so he flees to
  Angouleme
• Writes defining statement for Protestants
  Institutes of the Christian Religion
• Accuses Roman Church of instilling fear for
  belief and insecurity with salvation
• Published this piece in 1536
• 1st edition has six chpts Law, Creed, the Lords
  Prayer, sacraments of baptism and the Lords
  supper, arguments against the remaining Roman
  sacraments, and a discussion of Christian Liberty

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John Knox

• John Knox was a Scottish reformer and a refugee
  in Geneva, he was one of many refugees and
  admirers of Calvins Geneva
• He quotes Calvins teaching there as the most
  perfect school of Christ since the days of the
  apostles.

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Discussion

• If you were John Calvin, would you have succumb
  to the pressure of your father to study Law or
  rebel to follow your passion? What would make or
  break your decision?
• After Tuesdays class and today, why do you think
  John Knox has such a perfect view of Geneva under
  Calvin?