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

• Take care of the sick, poor, elderly and widows

• Responsible for religious education

• Preach the word of God

• Supervise the parish

Elders or Presbyters

Pastors or ministers

Deacons

Doctors

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:

People who disagreed were executed or exiled.

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

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.