John Calvin and the
Protestant Reformation in
Geneva
Institutionalizing Protestantism
The Spread of Protestantism
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.