Jean Cauvin or John Calvin—Latinized

3 major political powers had influence on Switzerland They were Germany aka HRE, France, Italy aka Papal authority

Zwingli led the Reformation in Switzerland among German speaking cantons (counties) in Switzerland while Calvin worked with those fleeing from France (French speaking cantons)

John CalvinBorn July 10, 1509 in Noyon France (60 miles north of Paris) one of 7 children

Calvin’s father was Secretary to the Bishop Attorney for the church (RCC) in that area along with being a fiscal agent for the county.

Noyon Cathedral

John CalvinCalvin’s father was well connected and also had married “well”. His wife’s parents were well to do retired inn-keepers from Cambrai.John Calvin’s personality was one of quiet dignity. He was said to be well mannered with an aristocratic air—strong sense of duty—silent. Chateau de la Motte

Fenelon, Cambrai

John CalvinAt 14 1523, Calvin went to the University of Paris where he studied theology, classics, law, language (Latin) in preparation for the priesthood. At his father’s request Calvin went to the University of Orleans to study law (1528). He also spent time at the University of Bourges in 1529 but continued at Orleans until 1531, and probably finishing with a degree.

University of Orleans

John CalvinAt the death of his father in 1531, Calvin returned to Paris to finish his theology—while at Paris the students nicknamed him “Olivetamus” or midnight oil for his habit of working on his studies until the wee hours. Upon graduation John Calvin became an RCC priest.

University of Paris

John CalvinWhile still a law student 1531 at Orleans John Calvin begins a friendship with Nicolas Cop a pastor.In 1532 Calvin publishes his first book “A Commentary of Seneca’s Treatise on Clemency” where he defends tolerance and urges the King of France to also practice tolerance.

John CalvinJohn Calvin’s conversion is hard to nail down. Schaff says 1532 but definitely between 1531-1533After Orleans Calvin returns for his final time to the University of Paris. (After the death of his father) He joins a Protestant Bible study soon becoming its leader.

University of Paris

John CalvinNicholas Cop delivers all Saint’s Day address at University of Paris on “Christian Philosophy” which was probably written by Calvin. This begins intense persecution of “Lutherans” in France by Francis I. Drives Calvin out of Paris to Noyon to resign priesthood.

After Calvin resigns priesthood he is locked up as an apostate.

John CalvinAfter release jail in 1534 Calvin begins 2 years of travel escaping religious persecution. He finally ends up in Basel 1535-1536 where Erasmus is also living.

After studying a year at a friend’s home (Louis Du Tillet) Calvin settles into scholarly seclusion to study Hebrew and prepare a French Bible for publication.

John Calvin1st Edition of the Institutes were written at Basel 1536 only 140 pages in length. (Class textbook states that it was 516 pages because of size of type) And only 3-4 years after his conversion.

John CalvinEven though Calvin was only 27 when 1st edition of the Institutes came out and having only been saved 3-4 years the work shows tremendous maturity.

The work shows up Calvin’s education in law because of its profound clarity and logical synthesis. The work emphasizes the sovereignty of God in predestination and election.

John CalvinOutline of the 1st edition of the Institutes:

I. The Law: An explanation of the Decalogue

II. Faith: Covering the Apostolic Creed

III. Prayer: An exposition of the Lord’s Prayer

IV. The SacramentsVI. Christian freedom,

Ecclesiastical power, and political administration

Meanwhile at Geneva One of the leading reformers in Switzerland was Guillaume Farel (1489-1565) started his ministry in Meaux later fled to Basel (1523) Later helped Bern to become a protestant canton (1528)

By 1533 he came to Geneva with letters of recommendation. However, Geneva preferred to stay Catholic.

Meanwhile at GenevaThe City Council called for him to appear but he got out of town

Later 1534 Farel returns to Geneva with some help and captures the Franciscan Monastery at Rive and turns it into a Protestant Church.

Farel quickly outflanks the Catholics by capturing various churches (St Pierre) and convincing the Genevan Council of 200 to suspend Catholic Mass (August 10, 1535) all RCC priest leave the city.

Chillon castle, Montreux, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Calvin “Happens to Happen Upon Geneva”

Although Farel was a fiery preacher and a man of action he was short on Theology and administration.Calvin “Decides” to now leave France because of the constant wars. He wants to be a Christian thinker and writer and live in peace. So he heads to Strasbourg.

Strasbourg Cathedral

Calvin “Happens to Happen Upon Geneva”

Well surprise, the route to Strasbourg was closed due to a military campaign nearby. So, he decides to spend One night in GenevaFarel gets wind of Calvin’s presence in Geneva and goes to visit. He pleads with Calvin to stay in Geneva to do the work that Farel is not equipped for, but Calvin expresses his desire to lead a quiet tranquil life with his books.

Geneva

John CalvinFarel tells Calvin “May god condemn your repose, and the calm you seek for study, if before such a great need you withdraw and refuse your help.”Calvin says later in his commentary on Psalms “these words shocked and broke me, and I desisted from the journey I had begun.”Upon arrival at Geneva 1536 John Calvin was given the title “Reader in Holy Scripture” and began lectures on Romans. He was not made a regular preacher for nearly a year.

John CalvinThis new guy in town was not well known by the city council (council of 200) The Secretary referred to him as “the Frenchman”. He had no income for the 1st 6 months in Geneva.Local cities were also struggling with whether to make their cities Protestant or not. They decide to have a Disputation (debate) at Lausanne where Calvin ran over the Catholics with his knowledge of Scripture and the church fathers. This strengthened his hand back in Geneva.

Lausanne, Switzerland

John CalvinCalvin about October 1537 begins work on setting up the ability to excommunicate disobedient believers from the church but this requires okay from the city council (because church & state were wed). This starts big problems for Farel & Calvin.By April 1538 the city council asks Farel and Calvin to leave Geneva. Calvin is coerced by Bucer and goes to Strasburg. Farel goes to Neuchatel. Neuchatel, Switzerland

John CalvinCalvin has a fruitful ministry in Strasburg for 3 years.

Strasburg, France