Calvin in Geneva After Farel and Calvin agree to work together Calvin pushes the city hard to establish his ecclesiastical orders. Gets kicked out after 16 months in Geneva.Some of the things Calvin and Farel tried to do:

All citizens had to sign a strong statement of faith.

Banishment for all who would not sign

The Church would decide its own discipline and who was worthy to receive Communion Guillaume Farel

Opposition The Libertines and Patriots thought Calvin was too strong. (Although the city council had approved)

The leader of the opposition to Calvin was Jean Philippe. He also authored “The Banishment” of Calvin.

Jean Philippe persuades the city council to banish Farel and Calvin in November 1537.

In Strasbourg

Strasburg was a free city and quite independent. Many French refugees were going there to escape religious persecution

In Strasbourg While in Strasbourg Calvin:

Develops his idea of church government

Pastors a church (French)

Grows up! Comes back to Geneva much more patient

Writes Romans commentary

Gets married

In Strasbourg Even though destitute of books Calvin produces a new edition of the Institutes, this time in French; the 1539 edition

Calvin apologizes for the lack of detailed quotations in the 1539 edition because he had to quote the Patristic Fathers from memory

Calvin Gets Married in Strasbourg

While in Strasbourg the elders and Calvin himself senses it is time to get married. He settles on Idelette de Bure, a widow of an Anabaptist with 2 children.Calvin tells Farel “If I take a wife it will be because, being better freed from numerous worries I can devote myself to the Lord.”

Calvin Gets Married in Strasbourg

Calvin admits to Farel that he is not of the “insane race” of lovers. And that “the only beauty that seduces me is that of a woman who is chaste, considerate, modest, economical, patient and who I hope will attend my health.”Calvin marries between July & August of 1540. Short honeymoon because Calvin goes to Diet of Hagenau and later to Regensburg.

Calvin Gets Married in Strasbourg

At the Diet of Hagenau 1540, the purpose was to reach some agreement with Catholics and to (if possible) unite.

Hagenau Austria

Calvin Gets Married in Strasbourg

The Catholics are represented by Gasparo Contarini and the Protestants by Bucer and Melanchthon—Calvin was an observerCalvin becomes disgusted with the ambiguity and concessions the Protestants are making. Calvin says “one must not be satisfied with half of Christ” He never again participates in this sort of meeting. Calvin is ashamed of Melanchthon.October 1541 Meanwhile in Geneva the city is falling apart due to lack of spiritual leadership. The Council pleads for Calvin’s return

Calvin in GenevaCalvin at first refuses to go back to Geneva. But word reaches Geneva that Calvin is in Neuchatel on his way to Geneva.

Calvin re-entered Geneva on September 13, 1541 and begins preaching just where he left off three years previous. To show “I had only been interrupted for a time”.

Calvin in Geneva

So from 1541-1564 Calvin settles in to the gospel work. This 23 year period is often seen in 3 stages.

His 5 peaceful years 1541-1546

His 9 threatening years 1546-1555

His 9 enjoyable years 1555-1564

Calvin’s 5 Peaceful Years

John Calvin now age 32 returns to Geneva. At once draws up ecclesiastical orders (but gives the Town Council more power) and requires obedience to it.

The most distinctive aspect of Calvin’s system of church government was the Consistory (remember he is setting things up for a whole city not one church).

Calvin’s 5 Peaceful Years

The group consisted of 12 elders plus all the pastors in the city. (In 1542 there were 9 pastors and in 1564 19.)

The ministry of the Consistory was to admonish, reprimand, and excommunicate. Needless to say being called in front of the Consistory was not your best day.

Calvin’s 5 Peaceful Years Another interesting item was the “orders” within the church. They were:

Pastors (paid)Teachers (or teaching elders) these were

to be paidElders (not paid) (sometimes called ruling elders)Deacons—to look after the poor and

church propertySo elder is split into 3 categories: Pastors, Teachers, Ruling Elders

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

Part of the problem with a church/state is that all people dead or alive fall under the watch care of the church

When Calvin first came to Geneva approximately 75-85% of the city was unregenerate yet they were still members of the church under Calvin’s plan.

Not all unregenerate people are comfortable “playing” church.

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

From 1546-1555 the unsaved populous of Geneva began to revolt against the curtailing of their liberties thus they were called the Libertines. Established in 1543 The Opposition was in two forms: moral and doctrinal. The main players on the moral front were Francoise Favre, Pierre Ameaux, Jacques Gruet and Ami Perrin’s and wife and Phiuibert Berthelier

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

The main players on the doctrinal side were Sabastian Castellio, Jerome Bolsec, Jean Trolliet, and Michael Servetus.

Jacques Gruet one of the moral opponents wrote a threatening letter and pinned it to Calvin’s pulpit June 1547

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

Gruet was arrested and his house was searched. Letters were found stating that he encouraged eating and drinking, dancing, having a good time, and public lewdness.Under prolonged torture Gruet admitted that the Moses writings were not of divine origin, that he wished to subvert church order, and that he did indeed write the letter found in the pulpit.Gruet was beheaded June 1547

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

Michael Servetus was a famous heretic/humanist who was condemned to die under the Inquisition in Spain but had escaped.Calvin knew of Servetus and once while in Paris had scheduled a meeting with Servetus but Servetus did not keep the appointment

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

Servetus was anti-Trinitarian and had debated with Calvin by letter.

1553 Servetus comes to Geneva and sits in on a worship service, is recognized and arrested under Calvin’s suggestion

Calvin levels 38 counts against Michael Servetus but only 14 are approved by the city council

John Calvin’s 9 Threatening Years 1546-1555

Michael Servetus is executed by burning October 27, 1553. Calvin tries to have him beheaded for mercy’s sake but is refused.

After the death of Servetus the Libertines in the city give up or move out.

Calvin’s Enjoyable Years1555-1564

1555-1557 Calvin really is busy reading, preaching, writing. He publishes commentaries on Psalms, and the Synoptic gospels, put his finishing touches on the Institutes and also preaches 4-6 times per week along with other administrative duties.1560 sees the publication of the Geneva Bible. A Reformed study bible written under Calvin’s supervision.February 6, 1564 is Calvin’s last appearance in the pulpit at St. Pierre’s CathedralMay 27, 1564 the beautiful and gracious John Calvin goes home to be with his God and ours

Calvin’s Doctrine

The transcendence of God, that God is above and beyond the universe

Christo Centric—strong on Christ’s deity and the work of Christ—also stressed the hypostatic union

Election and predestination – some to eternal life, some to eternal destruction

Calvin’s Doctrine

Confusion on last things does not mention a “millennium”Sees kingdom as already but not yetCommunion as a spiritual presence. “A sign of inward blessing and nourishment.”Later Calvinist were more Calvinistic than Calvin