John Calvin

NAME John Calvin

WHAT FAMOUS FOR John Calvin was a prominent French theologian, pastor, and reformer during the Protestant Reformation. He is best known for his influential work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, and his role in developing the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism.

BIRTH John Calvin was born on July 10, 1509, in Noyon, Picardy, France.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Calvin was born into a middle-class family. His father, Gérard Cauvin, was the procurator fiscal (a church administrator) of the Noyon District and secretary of the diocese. His mother, Jeanne Lefranc, was noted for her piety.

CHILDHOOD Calvin's childhood was marked by his early exposure to religious education and the influences of the Catholic Church due to his father's employment.

EDUCATION John Calvin was a dedicated student with a thirst for knowledge. His educational journey spanned several prestigious institutions. He began with a traditional path towards the priesthood, attending the Collège de la Marche and Collège de Montaigu at the University of Paris. However, his father encouraged a switch to law, leading Calvin to the Universities of Orléans and Bourges. Here, he excelled and earned his Doctor of Law degree in Orléans by 1532.

Beyond the legal realm, Calvin's curiosity extended to the burgeoning humanist and Reformation movements. He joined like-minded friends in delving into the Greek Bible, further enriching his intellectual pursuits. In 1534, he even added Hebrew to his linguistic repertoire while studying in Basle.

Portrait of Young John Calvin from the collection of the Library of Geneva.

Calvin's deep appreciation for education didn't end with his own studies. Recognizing its importance, he actively supported the founding of Geneva's college and academy in 1559.  His vision was to cultivate future administrators and establish Geneva as a center for French-language theological studies.

CAREER RECORD Calvin initially pursued a career in law but shifted to theology following his adoption of Luther's ideas around 1533. He became a leading figure in the Reformation, moving to Geneva, Switzerland, where he established a theocratic government. His work in Geneva included preaching, writing, and developing a robust system of ecclesiastical discipline.

A typical day for Calvin involved writing letters, delivering lectures, preaching sermons, and attending to visitors. Sometimes, he was needed for settling disputes. Towards the end, Calvin said to his friends who were worried about his daily regimen of work, "What! Would you have the Lord find me idle when He comes?" 

During his nearly 25 years of ministry in Geneva, Calvin lectured to theological students and preached an average of five sermons a week. He wrote a commentary on nearly every book of the Bible and numerous treatises on theological topics. His correspondence fills eleven volumes. Here's resume:

1533 Calvin became prominent in Paris as an evangelical preacher following his adoption of Luther's ideas.  

1534-1536 He spent time studying, writing, and formulating his theology.

1536-1538 After Geneva declared itself a Protestant republic, he assisted in Geneva's reformation movement.

1538-1541 Calvin wrote and taught in Strasbourg as a Professor of Theology at the university there. 

1541-1564 Calvin returned to Geneva on September 13, 1541 to assist in reforming the church and became pastor of the Cathedral of St. Peter. Though not a member of the government, he drafted ordinances regarding a constitution for Geneva.

APPEARANCE Contemporary portraits depict Calvin as having a long face, a pointed beard, and a serious, austere demeanour. He typically wore the clerical dress of the time.

Anonymous portrait of John Calvin 

FASHION Calvin was known for his modest and austere fashion, reflecting his religious convictions. He preferred simple, dark robes typical of Protestant clergy.

He forbade the wearing of slashed breeches, reflecting his preference for modest and simple attire.

CHARACTER Calvin was known for his intellectual rigor, disciplined lifestyle, and unwavering commitment to his religious beliefs. He was also seen as somewhat stern and unyielding in his principles.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Calvin was not particularly known for his sense of humor. His writings and actions reflect a serious and earnest personality focused on religious and moral reform.

RELATIONSHIPS John Calvin, deeply engrossed in his work, didn't consider marriage until his thirties. When he finally did, he enlisted his friends to find a suitable wife. His criteria were clear: the woman should be chaste, agreeable, undemanding, frugal, patient, and attentive to his health.

Martin Bucer, a fellow reformer, knew a widow with two children named Idelette de Bure who seemed to fit the bill perfectly. He discreetly recommended her to Calvin, and they were married in August 1540.

Idelette may have borne Calvin a son and possibly daughters, but sadly, none survived infancy. A long illness eventually took its toll, and she passed away in 1549.  Even on her deathbed, Idelette's character shone through. She remained patient, and her final words were described as "edifying," offering comfort and inspiration.

Portrait of Idelette de Bure By Xavier Würth

He never remarried after Idelette's death, calling her "my life's best companion."

Calvin had a close relationship with fellow reformer William Farel

MONEY AND FAME Despite his significant influence, Calvin lived modestly. He did not seek wealth or fame, instead dedicating his life to his theological work and the governance of the Geneva church.

Calvin's 1536 work, Institutes of the Christian Religion, thrust him into the forefront of Protestantism as a thinker and spokesman. In Geneva, he received a house and stipend from the government. 

In 1541, he was appointed pastor of the Cathedral of St. Peter with a decent salary, a fine house, and 250 gallons of wine a year. 

Calvin expressed his views on usury in a letter to his friend Oekolampadius, where he reinterpreted certain scripture passages and argued that money could be made fruitful just as it is permissible to charge for using the barren walls and roof of a house. He also believed that money should be lent to those in dire need without expecting interest. 

FOOD AND DRINK Calvin was known for his simple and frugal diet, consistent with his ascetic lifestyle. He preferred plain food and avoided excess.

MUSIC AND ARTS Calvin had a complicated relationship with music and the arts. He appreciated music as a gift from God meant to recreate and give pleasure to man and allowed music in church for the singing of hymns and psalms, However, he was wary of music and other arts' potential to distract from religious devotion..

LITERATURE Calvin was a prolific writer. His first published work wasn't directly theological. It was a meticulously edited edition of the Roman philosopher Seneca's De Clementia, accompanied by his insightful commentary. This early work showcased his intellectual prowess.

In 1536, Calvin produced his magnum opus: Christianae Religionis Institutio (Institutes of the Christian Religion). This wasn't just a book; it was a personal statement of faith aiming to unify the burgeoning Protestant movement. It had a profound impact on the development of Protestantism.

The Institutes emphasized God's absolute power, knowledge, and control (omnipotence, omniscience, etc.). It also introduced the concept of predestination, where God has already chosen who will be saved and who will be damned.

The title page of the fifth and final 1559 edition of Institutio Christianae Religionis

Following the Institutes, Calvin continued to be a prolific writer. In 1539, he released his Commentary on Romans, which marked the beginning of a series covering most of the Old and New Testaments (these commentaries were later collected and published in 1617).

Beyond theological treatises, Calvin also played a role in shaping the city of Geneva. In 1541, his Ecclesiastical Ordinances were adopted, establishing a strict moral code that became the foundation for both church and state in Geneva.

NATURE Calvin appreciated the beauty of God's creation but did not often write about nature explicitly. His focus remained on theological and ecclesiastical matters.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS In his private moments, Calvin would spend time on Lake Geneva, reading scripture and drinking red wine.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Calvin's emphasis on education and rational thought indirectly supported the intellectual environment that fostered scientific advancement.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Calvin's theological work deeply influenced Christian philosophy and the development of Reformed theology. His ideas on predestination, the sovereignty of God, and the authority of Scripture were particularly impactful.

John Calvin's religious journey wasn't linear. In his youth, he pursued a legal career, but by 1533, a turning point arrived.  Around 1533, he experienced a significant religious conversion, which he later described as being initiated by God. In his Commentary on the Book of Psalms (1557), Calvin reflects on his conversion, stating that God "subdued and brought my heart to docility," indicating that it was a sudden and decisive transformation led by divine intervention. Calvin attributes this change to a moment when God "subdued" his mind and heart, turning him away from his previous path and toward a new understanding of faith.

Calvin's conversion marked a turning point in his life, corresponding with his growing disillusionment with the Roman Catholic Church and his increasing attraction to Protestant ideas, especially those centered on the authority of Scripture and justification by faith. 

A sermon by Nicholas Cop, Rector of the Sorbonne, emphasizing the Bible's authority, solidified  Calvin's conversion experience. He left Catholicism and embraced a simpler form of Christianity.

One of Calvin's core beliefs was predestination. He argued that God, through Jesus' sacrifice, had already chosen certain souls (the elect) for salvation, while others were destined for damnation. This concept highlighted humanity's inherent sinfulness and the inability to achieve salvation by oneself.

Calvin proposed three markers to potentially identify the elect: participation in baptism and communion, a public declaration of faith, and a righteous moral life.  However, the ultimate decision remained with God.

Calvin viewed sermons as the cornerstone of church services. He believed they should challenge the congregation to deeply contemplate their faith.

Upon returning to Geneva from Strasbourg after a three year absence, he famously resumed his sermons at the exact Bible verse he had left off at previously.

Calvin's influence extended beyond theology. He played a key role in establishing a theocracy (religious rule) in Geneva. His authority grew with the arrival of French Protestant refugees. 

The passage concludes with an interesting detail. Apparently, Calvin received a complaint about his lengthy sermons. The quote suggests someone (possibly a church official) urging him to shorten them to avoid giving "Satan any handle." This glimpse reveals a potential tension between Calvin's passion for preaching and concerns about practicality.

POLITICS Calvin played a significant political role in Geneva, drafting ordinances for the government and establishing a theocratic governance system. His religious and political authority was reinforced by the arrival of many French refugees. His ideas on church governance and the relationship between church and state were revolutionary.

SCANDAL Calvin's life was relatively scandal-free, although his rigorous enforcement of moral discipline in Geneva and his role in the execution of Michael Servetus, a heretic, were controversial.

In 1537, Calvin demanded that every Geneva citizen swear to the Confession of Faith on pain of banishment. This led to his temporary expulsion from Geneva when the Geneva Council rejected the reform.

MILITARY RECORD Protestant Geneva was constantly under threat from Catholic armies. In his preface to Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin condemned all revolutionary or subversive activity.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Calvin slept little and suffered from various health issues, including stomach trouble, chronic headaches, asthma, catarrh, malaria, ulcerated piles, gout, gallstones, and tuberculosis. Despite his ailments, he continued to work diligently and was often carried to the pulpit to preach when he could no longer walk.

HOMES John Calvin's life involved several residences throughout France and Switzerland. His early years were spent in Noyon, France (until 1520). From 1525 to 1529, he resided at 10 Rue du Cros in Anneau, France. Following his religious conversion in 1534, he sought refuge in Basel, Switzerland.

Calvin's time in Geneva, Switzerland, was significant but not continuous. He initially lived there from 1536 to 1538. However, after being asked to leave, he moved to Strasbourg, Switzerland, where he resided from 1538 to 1541. Finally, in 1541, he returned to Geneva permanently, establishing his last home at 11 Rue Calvin.

TRAVEL Calvin traveled primarily for educational and religious purposes. His most notable relocations were his moves to Geneva and Strasbourg.

DEATH Following several years of illness, Calvin died on May 27, 1564. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Plais Palais Cemetery, Geneva, as per his instructions to avoid creating a Protestant shrine.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Calvin's life and work have been the subject of numerous historical and theological studies. He is frequently referenced in discussions of the Reformation and Protestant theology.

The character Calvin from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, created by Bill Watterson, was named after John Calvin, reflecting the young character's belief in predestination and his stuffed tiger Hobbes' dim view of human nature.

ACHIEVEMENTS Established himself as a major figure in Protestant theology

Founded a religious movement (Calvinism) that continues to influence Christianity today

His ideas had a lasting impact on social, political, and economic life in Europe and beyond

Sources Microsoft Encarta. Christian History