"John Calvin (1509-1564) was the son of a French Notary. He studied to become a priest, and read humanist writings until his father decided that he should study law instead. Although he completed all his legal studies, he did not practice law, but returned to Paris to study. He proved to be a brilliant writer and astute scholar; however he was forced to leave Paris when a classmate delivered an address with heretical overtones. Calvin was known to have helped write the address. Fleeing Paris, he traveled to Strasbourg and later Basel, where at age twenty six he first published his Institutes of
the Christian Religion, in March, 1536. The Institutes became a life work;...
Calvin’s writings reveal a man tortured by anxiety and self doubt. He frequently spoke of the “abyss” over which mankind hovered.
The most important element of his theology was the doctrine of predestination. Calvin wrote that God was sublime, and so overwhelming and awe-inspiring that human beings were insignificant, sinful, and unworthy. Yet God was also a God of love, who planned from the beginning of the universe to the end of time, and selected some human beings, the “elect,” for salvation; others were selected for damnation:
Predestination was the area in which Luther and Calvin disagreed most. Where Luther had emphasized reconciliation to God through faith, Calvin emphasized obedience to His will. Calvin’s position on the Eucharist was between that of Luther and Zwingli. He argued that there was a “spiritual” presence. There was such a close connection between the communion host and the gift of salvation which it symbolizes that one can “easily pass from one to the other. For why should the Lord put in your hand the symbol of his body unless it was to assure you that you really participate in it?”
In July, 1536, Calvin ended up in Geneva, Switzerland. ....Calvin insisted that the city ordinances comply with religious teaching. No distinction was made between occurrences which could be considered crimes and those which were simply “un-Christian.” Card playing, “licentious dancing,” theater-going, drunkenness, gambling, and swearing were outlawed. Absence from sermons, criticism of ministers, and family quarrels were punished. Punishment was provided for laughing during a sermon, having one’s fortune told, or praising the Pope. Drinking establishments were permitted, but a Bible must always be present, no lewd songs could be song or cards played, and grace must be said before all meals.
Said one cynic: you can do anything you want in Geneva, as long as you do not enjoy it.”
John Calvin had no tolerance for those who dissented from his religious viewpoints. He referred to them as “dogs and swine.”
Calvin left Geneva, but returned in 1541, where he was appointed Pastor, and paid a handsome salary based on a tax on kegs of wine. One member of the town council had the audacity to call Calvin a “wicked man who preaches false doctrine.” Calvin insisted as a condition of his return that the man apologize publicly, and march through the town wearing a hair shirt as a sign of his disgrace." Z,A&C
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness,
but as the servants of God.
1 Peter 2:16
