CALVIN (1509-1564) IN GENEVA

Biography: from 1523 studies liberal arts at College de Montaigu, Paris
(alumni include Erasmus, Loyola, Rabelais)
1527 transfers to University at Orleans to study law & classics
1533 conversion experience, goes underground, arrested twice
1534 Affair of the Placards: French King Francis I suppresses Reform
1533-1538 Calvin flees to Strasbourg & Basel, study & writing

Systematic Theologian of the Reformation

1536 Institutes of the Christian Religion Latin edition;

1541 French edition (rewritten in multiple later editions through 1559)

Themes: 1) predestination as evidence of divine Power, sovereignty & Providence

2) establishment of Christian discipline in church & society

motive: not to insure salvation, but for glory of God

Geneva: population 1530’s approximately 12,000+

1534 urban revolution against Bishop & Duke of Savoy, led by

Council of 200: government by merchant oligarchy
1536 Calvin called to begin reform of Geneva (Farel)
1536 Geneva Confession: credal statement of Reformation

theology to which all citizens must publicly swear;
1537 Ecclesiastical Ordinances:
controversial introduction of "reform of morals"
1538 "Libertine" party (anti-Calvin) wins elections

Calvin exiled from Geneva until 1541 in Strasbourg
1541 Calvin recalled to Geneva, Council accepts Ordinances

Calvinist Church Organization: Ecclesiastical Ordinances

1) church organization separate from city govt (vs Zwingli)

rejects control] of religion by state (vs Luther)
2) government of church (Presbyterian = lay elders)

teaching offices: pastors, doctors
lay administration of church: deacons (social services)

elders (called presbyters)- sit on consistory
3) consistory: church court' enforces "Christian discipline"
composed of local pastors + 12 elders;
tries cases of moral infractions: adultery, blasphemy, irreverence

4) goal of church: Max Weber: "to bring the monastery into the world"
through “this-worldly asceticism”

Geneva as model Protestant city: 1550's Protestant refugees from France
Population increase: 1550 13,100; increases by 1560 to 21,400
1559 Geneva Academy: trains Calvinist missionaries for France

Religious Persecution versus Toleration:
Michael Servetus (1511- 1553) Spanish physician: Anabaptist; anti-Trinitarian
1531 On the Errors of the Trinity - anti-scholastic
1553 Restitution of Christianitv - restates anti-Trinitarian position; sends copy to Calvin; visits Geneva;

tried by City Council with Calvin as chief consultant on theological errors; executed
Sebastian Castellio - opposes actions against Servetus by Calvin & City Council

1554 Concerning Heretics: Whether They are to be Persecuted by the Magistrates

first extended statement in favor of religious toleration; arrested & tried for heresy; dies during trial