Learning from John Calvin
Occasionally, a man comes along and makes a great difference to those around him and to the whole church. John Calvin was such a man. Born in France into a devout Roman Catholic family, he was a good student and earned a master's degree at age 19 while at the University of Paris. He studied law for a while, but his real interest was theology. He read the teaching of Martin Luther in 1533 and experienced a sudden conversion that changed his life. He broke with the Roman Church, left France and, as an exile in Basle, Switzerland, he began to formulate his theology and published the first edition of his most famous writings that became the "Institutes."
Calvin moved to Geneva with his friend, Farel, to help with the reform movement there. However, when they called upon the townspeople to swear loyalty to the Protestant statement of belief, the local people voiced strong opposition and expelled the two from the town. Calvin then moved to Strasbourg where he wrote many commentaries on books of the Bible and expanded his writings on the "Institutes."
In 1541, Calvin was invited back to Geneva. The town council had revised the town’s laws; however, when Calvin wanted to bring people under the moral discipline of the church, there were disputes. His influence grew stronger and life in Geneva got better over the years.
He founded the Geneva Academy, to which students of theology came to study from all parts of Europe. Some of Calvin's teaching became standard themes in Reform Theology. His hard work and influence led to the creation of hospitals, and care for the poor, orphans, widows and the infirm, and improvements in sanitation. He had a good heart and a desire to help others.
John Calvin was one of the most influential leaders of the Protestant Reformation that lead to a break from the Roman Church and formation of the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, Quaker and Pentecostal churches, and to changes in the Church of England. Many other churches also came out of this movement. Can one man, led by God, make a difference? I think so!
A Prayer
Thank you Lord for such men as John Calvin and their ability, courage, and knowledge that helped, develop and broaden our understanding and practice of faith, worship and religion. Amen.
Sources: Holy Women & Holy Men; Eerdmans Handbook of Christianity
