john calvin and the reformation in geneva
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John Calvin and theProtestant Reformation in
GenevaInstitutionalizing Protestantism
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The Spread of Protestantism
Protestantism spread rapidlyin the early 16th century. Itgrew strong in northernEurope (northern Germany,
Scandinavia, the Netherlands,and England) but failed inthe Latin countries (Italy,France, and Spain). It was anurban phenomenon and
flourished where localmagistrates supported it.
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John Calvin
John Calvin (1509-1564), aFrench lawyer and theologian,
was responsible for the successof the Reformation outside
Germany and Scandinavia. Hecreated the patterns of thoughtthat have dominated Westernculture throughout the modernera. American culture, in
particular, is thoroughlyCalvinist.
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Conversion and ReformSomewhere in the period1532-1534, Calvin experienceda sudden conversion which henever discussed publicly.Originally a lawyer andnorthern humanist, he turnedto theology and dedicatedhimself to reforming thechurch. He began to spreadhis theological beliefs and
within a year he and hisfriends were in trouble withthe authorities both civil andecclesiastical.
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The Institutes of the Christian Religion
He wrote The Institutes ofthe Christian Religion (1536)hoping to convince King
Francis I thatProtestantism posed nothreat to his rule.However, the treatise didnot have the intendedresult and Calvin wasforced to leave France.
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The Power of GodCalvin emphasized the power
of God over sinful and corrupthumanity. Calvins Goddemanded obedience. Thedistance between God and man
was bridged only by Christ.Calvins theology was stern.Gods laws must be rigorouslyobeyed. Social and moralrighteousness must be earnestlypursued. Political life must becarefully regulated. Humanemotions must be strictlycontrolled.
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PredestinationCalvin explained salvation interms of predestination. Godgrants grace for his owninscrutable reasons and knowsin advance who will be savedand who will be condemnedto hell. Although people arepredestined to salvation ordamnation, they can neverknow their fate with certainty.
Nevertheless, Calvinismoffered the saint (i.e., the trulypredestined man or women) asense of self-assurance andrighteousness thattransformed them.
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Dedication to Gods Law:
Sign of SalvationCalvinists assumed thatonly unfailing dedicationto Gods law could be
seen as a sign ofsalvation, so Calvinismmade for stern men and
women, active in theircongregations and willingto suppress vice inthemselves and others.
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Revolutionaries: Right to Revolt
Calvinism could alsoproduce revolutionaries
willing to defy any
temporal authoritiesperceived to be in
violation of Gods laws.For Calvinists, obedience
to Christian law becamethe dominating principleof life.
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Geneva Theocracy
Calvin finally sought refuge inGeneva, a small prosperous Swisscity near the French border. There
he eventually established aProtestant church that closelyregulated the citizens personal andsocial lives. Elders of the Calvinist
church governed the city andimposed strict discipline in dress,sexual mores, church attendance,and business affairs.
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Michael Servetus
They severely punishedirreligious and sinfulbehavior. For example,
Calvin condemned theanti-Trinitarian views ofMichael Servetus and theepisode ended in the
notorious trial andburning of Servetus in1553.
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Appeal to Merchants
Prosperous merchants andsmall shopkeepers saw inCalvinism doctrines thatjustified the self-discipline
they already exercised in theirown lives and wished toimpose on the unruly masses.
They particularly approved ofCalvins economic views, for
he saw nothing sinful incommercial activities (unlikemany Catholic clergy).
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Center of International Protestantism
Geneva became the center ofinternational Protestantism. Calvintrained a new generation of Protestantreformers of many nationalities, whocarried his message back to theirhomelands. Calvins Institutes became the leading textbook of the newtheology. In the second half of thesixteenth century, Calvins theology of
predestination spread into France,England, and the Netherlands, andparts of the Holy Roman Empire.
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Puritanism
In the seventeenthcentury, the English
version of Calvinism,known as Puritanism,performed the samefunction. Thus, in certaincircumstances, Calvinismpossessed the moral forceto undermine the claimsof the monarchical stateon the individual.