Church History: John Calvin

Who was John Calvin

John Calvin (Calvin) was a French theologian, born in 1509 who, despite being raised believing that Lutheranism was heresy, later converted to Protestantism and was instrumental in advancing the Protestant Reformation.

How did John Calvin become a leading figure in Protestantism despite being raised believing it to heresy?

After listening to his cousin preach about Protestantism, Calvin found that he agreed with the belief that the whole form of divine worship in the general use of the present day was nothing more than mere corruption

Why did Calvin break away from the Catholic Church?

He believed that the whole form of divine worship in the general use of the present day was nothing more than mere corruption.

After leaving the Catholic Church in a very Catholic France, where was Calvin forced to go?

After religious tensions erupted in widespread deadly violence against Protestant Christians in France, Calvin fled to Basel, Switzerland, where in 1536 he published the first edition of the Institutes.

What significant Protestant work did he publish in 1536?

‘The Institutes of Christian Religion’

It expanded on Luther’s ideas and gave them structure and clarification, so it was easier for Protestants to lead a life according to Luther’s ideology.

Were Calvin’s beliefs that same as Luthers?

With the spread of Protestant ideology, other scholars began to elaborate and add their own emphasis to the doctrines expressed. This led to differences in churches and they became known as ‘reformed churches’ opposed to one full Protestant church.

What were Calvin’s beliefs?

• Calvin reached the conclusion that human beings were totally depraved and unable to contribute anything towards their own salvation

• Calvin also taught that once a person is saved, their salvation could not be lost. A person is guaranteed salvation, no matter what he or she subsequently does. This is sometimes summed up as 'once saved, always saved'

How did Calvin’s ideas differ from Luther’s?

In Calvin’s beliefs, God predestines who is going to heaven and hell and that God has sovereignty. Luther also believed that God chose who he saved predestined, but believed that the only justification was by faith.