John Calvin

John Calvin was born on July 10, 1509, in Picardy, France. His father was a man of low birth who rose to prominence as attorney and secretary to the bishop of Noyon. Jeanne Le Franc, his mother, was religious and upper middle class.

John’s education was financed through several church benefices which his father was able to arrange. His early training was aimed at an ecclesiastical career, but after receiving the Master of Arts degree at the University of Paris (when only 19 years old!), he turned from theology to law at his father’s request. He moved to Orléans to study under Pierre de l’Estoile, a famous lawyer, for a year and a half. He spent nearly two years at Bourges, until his father died in May of 1531. He then returned to Paris and began studying Greek and Hebrew. In April, 1532, he published his first book, a commentary on Seneca’s De Clementia. He returned to Orléans to complete his doctorate in law, and taught there for a short time.

Back in Paris, he helped his friend Nicholas Cop prepare his inaugural address as rector of the university. This speech caused an uproar in the city. Some, who wished to bring Luther’s reforms into France, were happy with the appeal for a clear presentation of the doctrines of justification, grace, etc. But the weight of power was with those who cried, “Heresy!” Calvin and Cop both had to run for their lives. John managed to masquerade as a farmer, carrying a hoe, long enough to evade the police.

In 1534, after two years of hiding, Calvin went to Noyon and resigned his benefices. He was imprisoned for a few weeks because of his break with the Roman Church and clear evangelical stand. Sometime shortly before or during these two desperate years he claims to have had “a sudden conversion,” in which the errors of his thinking became crystal clear and he saw his only hope in Jesus Christ. His evangelical publishing career began when he wrote the preface for the new French Bible, translated by his close friend and relative, Olivétan.

Two years later he finished the first edition of the Institutes of the Christian Religion. This single volume was gradually expanded to a full four volumes by 1559, yet nearly all the themes are present here, with the same basic structure or system. In the preface to the first edition, addressed to the King of France, he says his intention was to lay down some elementary principles about religion for the multitudes he saw who were hungering and thirsting after Christ, yet possessing no real knowledge of Him.

On the way to Italy in 1536, he spent the night in Geneva. William Farel, a fiery preacher of like persuasion, was impressed with Calvin’s ability. He threatened John with the curse of God if he did not stay in Geneva. He did stay, and for two years helped Farel in preaching and organizing the religious life of the city. Their rules were a little too strict for the high living Swiss, and so in 1538 they were ordered to leave.

Calvin moved to Strasbourg, where he spent three of his best years. It was here that he married Idolette de Bure, the widow of an Anabaptist. She died only nine years later, and left him no children, but the years they did have together were precious to them both.

In 1541 the council of Geneva requested that Calvin return. Though reluctant to leave his pleasant situation in Strasbourg, he answered this call. He was more than ever determined to carry through his concept of reform in which all areas of civil life must conform to Scripture, regardless of the spiritual state of the citizens. There were intense struggles over many issues, but Geneva prospered under his guidance.

In 1559 he founded a theological academy, choosing Theodore Beza as rector. This school was the intellectual center of reformed thought for long afterward, and eventually became the University of Geneva. John Knox. the fearless Scotch reformer, was among the many who were inspired and instructed at Geneva.

Calvin died on May 27, 1564, and was buried in an unmarked grave according to his request. Yet his influence lives on through his writings and through the men he taught; he is easily the most influential theologian since St. Augustine.