John Calvin and the Protestant Reformation in Geneva Institutionalizing Protestantism
The Spread of Protestantism
Protestantism spread rapidly in the early 16th century. It grew strong in northern Europe (northern Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and England) but failed in the Latin countries (Italy, France, and Spain). It was an urban phenomenon and flourished where local magistrates supported it.
Ulrich Zwingli Zwingly was the 1st protestant reformer in Switzerland. He set up his own church in Zurich. His ideas were very similar to Luther. The spread of his beliefs led to war between Catholics and Protestants. He was killed in the Battle of Kappel in 1531. Other swiss toens also wanted reform. Geneva asked John Calvin to help them.
John Calvin John Calvin (1509-1564), a French lawyer and theologian, was responsible for the success of the Reformation outside Germany and Scandinavia. He was born in Noyon, France. He heard of Luther whilst studying law and became a Protestant. The King of France, Francis I, became worried at the spread of Lutheranism and became to persecute followers. Calvin fled to Switzerland.
Conversion and Reform
Somewhere in the period 1532-1534, Calvin experienced a sudden conversion which he never discussed publicly. Originally a lawyer and northern humanist, he turned to theology and dedicated himself to reforming the church. He began to spread his theological beliefs and within a year he and his friends were in trouble with the authorities – both civil and ecclesiastical. He wrote The Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536), whilst living in Basle, hoping to convince King Francis I that Protestantism posed no threat to his rule. However, the treatise did not have the intended result and Calvin was forced to leave France.
Calvin’s Beliefs
The bible is the main source of faith There are only 2 sacraments, Baptism and Eucharist Predestination, God decides who goes to heaven before we are even born. Nothing a person can do changes this. The chosen people are called ‘the Elect’. Elders or Presyters should supervise the parish. Priests should be allowed to marry. Churches should be plain.
Organisation of the church • Supervise the parish
• Preach the word of God Elders or Presbyters
Doctors • Responsible for religious education
Pastors or ministers
Deacons • Take care of the sick, poor, elderly and widows
Geneva
Calvin was strict and expected a very virtuous lifestyle from his followers. Elders of the Calvinist church governed the city and imposed strict discipline in dress, sexual mores, church attendance, and business affairs. At first Calvin’s ideas were very unpopular in Geneva and in 1538 he was asked to leave. He thereby moved to Strasbourg where he married and had a child. However in 1541 he was invited to return.
The City of God
Calvin wanted Geneva, a city of 15,000, to become a city of God and an example to Europe. He forbade: Forbidden
Encouraged
Gambling
Education for all children
Dancing & drinking heavily Hospital care for the ill Jewellery and make-up, Bright and luxurious clothing
Care for the poor
People who disagreed were executed or exiled.
Dedication to God’s Law: Sign of Salvation Calvinists assumed that only utotal dedication to God’s law could be seen as a sign of salvation, so Calvinism made for stern men and women, active in their congregations and willing to suppress vice in themselves and others. Elders of the Calvinist church governed the city and imposed strict discipline in dress, sexual mores, church attendance, and business affairs.
Appeal to Merchants
Prosperous merchants and small shopkeepers saw in Calvinism doctrines that justified the self-discipline they already exercised in their own lives and wished to impose on the unruly masses. They particularly approved of Calvin’s economic views, for he saw nothing sinful in commercial activities (unlike many Catholic clergy).
Revolutionaries: Right to Revolt
Calvinism produced revolutionaries willing to defy any normal authorities perceived to be in violation of God’s laws. For Calvinists, obedience to Christian law became the dominating principle of life. They were on God’s side.
Center of International Protestantism
Geneva became the center of international Protestantism. Calvin trained a new generation of Protestant reformers of many nationalities, who carried his message back to their homelands. Calvin’s Institutes became the leading textbook of the new theology. In the second half of the sixteenth century, Calvin’s theology of predestination spread into France, England, and the Netherlands, and parts of the Holy Roman Empire. In France they were known as Huguenots.
Calvinism in Scotland
John Knox brought Calvinism to Scotland. He was born in Scotland in 1513 and became a Catholic Priest. He converted to Protestantism and went to Geneva to escape persecution. He described Geneva as ‘the most perfect school of Christ since the days of the Apostles’. He became a follower of Calvin and returned to Scotland in 1559 to convert Scotland.
The Presbyterian Church in Scotland
The Queen of Scotland, Mary Stuart, opposed him. Scotish nobles and Elizabeth I supported him,. Mary was forced to give up her throne to her baby, James. Knox then helped the nobles set up a new Presbyterian Church in Scotland. It followed Calvin’s teachings. Mary’s son, James, was raised a Presbyterian. In 1603 he inheirited England and Ireland from his cousin, Elizabeth. He encouraged Scots to move into Ulster. They brought their faith with them.
