Reformation in Geneva (John Calvin)

Geneva was a flourishing city about 13,000 inhabitants on the lovely shores of Lake of Geneva. At the beginning of the 16th century, there were three rival parties in the city, one a bishop, who was also the civil ruler, another won a council of the citizens, and the duke Savoy who asserted his authority over both the bishop and the people.

In 1512, the duke’s and the bishop’s parties united. Meanwhile, the people formed an alliance. In 1526, the people, the help of protestant Bern, won the day and Geneva became an independent city. The Catholic bishop was expelled. Calvin and His Life: John Calvin was born as Jean Calvin on 10 July 1509 in the town of Noyon in the Picardy region of France. Calvin was the son of a lawyer He was the first of four sons who survived infancy. His father, Gérard Calvin, had a prosperous career as the cathedral notary and a registrar of the ecclesiastical court. He died in his later years, after suffering two years with testicular cancer. His mother, Jeanne le Franc, was the daughter of an innkeeper from Cambrai. She died a few years after Calvin's birth from breast disease (not breast cancer). 

His Education: In 1523 he went to the University of Paris, where he studied theology. To maintain

himself while a student, Calvin secured a small chaplaincy attached to Noyon Cathedral. In 1528 he went to Orleans to study Law, and one year later Calvin went to Bourges also to study Law. Calvin was pressurized by his father to study Law but in 1531 his father died giving Calvin the freedom to resume his religious studies. In the same year that his father died, Calvin went to the College de France in Paris to study Greek. This college was noted for its Humanistic approach to learning. In fact, all the colleges that Calvin attended had Humanistic leanings and it was only natural that this influenced Calvin. He became an admirer of Erasmus. After a few years of quiet study, Calvin entered the University of Bourges in 1529. He was intrigued by Andreas Alciati, a humanist lawyer. Calvin learned Greek, a necessity for studying the New Testament. He married Idelette de Bure, a widow who had two children from her first marriage.

His Conversion: Calvin’s father was a lawyer and occupied a prominent position as a secretary of the Bishoprics his mother died in his early age. So, John was sent to a noble family to be educated from there he attended the collage’s “De Marché and De Montaiou” Calvin transition in life was marked by a sudden conversion. He was converted in 1533. In 1555 be with about his conversion experience in the preface of the commentary on the psalms. He described points. 1. He saw the conversion as the result of Divine initiative. 2. The faith arises from the God subdue his heart to docility (laughableness). 3. In his description of his conversion. He protested his sly and retiring nature and to desire to love in seclusion. Calvin says his conversion was sudden through private studying of the scriptures. He says he failed to find peace in pennons ox other sacraments and intercessions of the church. He resigned from the church offices and moved to Switzerland. Meanwhile Calvin came into contact with Martin Bucer a great reformer of Strasburg Who was a protestor of theology Strasburg. During his visit to Geneva, he came into contact with William Farel (reformer of the city of Geneva) and convinced Calvin to remain in Geneva. In Geneva, Calvin prepared the plan for education of the people and religion re-organization of the city. Calvin insisted at Geneva that unworthy person should not be permitted to take Lord Supper. But the council of Geneva decided the Holy Communion. Therefore, William Farel and Calvin were banished from the city to Strasberg in 1538. Reform Work Commences: Geneva was a French-speaking Swiss city. At the time of Calvin’s arrival, the city was struggling to achieve independence against two authorities who were trying to exercise control over Geneva. The first was the Dukes of Savoy and the second was the Bishop of Geneva. Geneva was not yet part of Switzerland (not until 1815) and the city allied with the cantons of Bern and Fribourg against Savoy. The bishop fled Geneva and Savoy was defeated in 1535.

In May 1536 the city adopted religious reform: 1) Monasteries were dissolved, 2) Mass was abolished, 3) Papal authority renounced but within Geneva itself a struggle took place between those who wanted mild reform (such as no compulsory church attendance) and those who demanded radical reform (such as Calvin and Farel). In 1541, added by the city council, Calvin drew up the Ecclesiastical Ordinances. He rejected the organization of the Medieval Church as contrary to the New Testament. He wanted a church modelled on the church in Apostolic times. There were to be no bishops. All ministers were equal. They had to preach, administer the sacraments and look after the spiritual welfare of the people. Moral discipline was also upheld by the ministers - but they were helped by the elders.

Calvin’s Beliefs: 1) Calvinism was based around the absolute power and supremacy of God. The world was created so that Mankind might get to know Him. Calvin believed that Man was sinful and could only approach God through faith in Christ - not through Mass and pilgrimages. 2) Calvin believed that the New Testament and baptism and the Eucharist had been created to provide Man with continual divine guidance when seeking faith. 3) In Calvin’s view, Man is corrupt, and is confronted by the omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (present everywhere) God who before the world began predestined some for eternal salvation (the Elect) while the others would suffer everlasting damnation (the Reprobates). The chosen few were saved by the operation of divine grace which cannot be challenged and cannot be earned by Man’s merits. However, God remained the judge and lawgiver of men. Predestination remained a vital belief in Calvinism.

Tulip: T. Total Depravity, U. Unconditional Election (pre-destination), L. Limited Atonement, I. Irresistible Grace, P. Perseverance of Saints (Eternal Security) Calvinism today is found in Presbyterianism, reformed churches and in some Baptist church.