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John Calvin (1509-1564) & the Reformed Church

Calvinism in Western Christianity

Calvinism in Europe

•  See Map in Zophy, p. 227

…

See Zophy p. 224

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Calvinism in America

•  Our Government strikes a balance between local and denominational, between ministers and lay people, between individualism and structure. Each congregation is governed by a consistory of elders and deacons, and the installed pastor(s). Congregations are clustered in forty-six classes across the United States and Canada. Classes supervise students for ministry; oversee, license, and install pastors; and provide support and supervision for congregations. Eight Regional Synods coordinate programs, support camp and conference centers, assist with church development and revitalization, and help coordiante local and regional mission. Each year delegates representing every part of the RCA meet at General Synod to make decisions that affect the entire church. The church's Positions on critical issues are also generated through General Synod deliberations.

•  The RCA helps support five Educational Institutions--three liberal arts colleges with a Christian emphasis and two seminaries that prepare men and women for Christian ministry.

•  The RCA was founded in 1628, just twenty-one years after the colony at Jamestown was established, by the Dutch who settled in New Amsterdam (now New York City). Our History is rooted in the Reformation of the 1500s. The RCA Crest reflects the church's Dutch and Reformation heritage.

Calvin & the Reformed Church

•  Calvin the Man •  Calvin the Scholar/

Humanist •  Calvin the Theologian •  Calvin the Reformer •  Calvin the Organizer

Calvin the Man •  Jean Cauvin (1509-1564) •  Born in France •  Studied classics at Univ. of Paris, law at Univ. of Orleans

(itinerant) •  Converted to Protestantism ca. 1530s. •  Married a Dutch Anabaptist, & remains a patriarch who

dismisses women in religion and politics. •  A “blue-nosed Puritan” paranoid about adultery and

known for severity and somberness? Or not? •  Frail health, brilliant intellect, systematic thinker

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What common elements exist in these portraits of Calvin? What do the portraits suggest about Calvin?

Calvin the Scholar/Humanist •  Legal & Classical scholar, rhetorician •  Published commentary on Seneca (1532) to complement

Erasmus; he’s a rhetorical humanist, Latin stylist. •  Founded Univ. of Geneva, Geneva Academy; reformed

elementary and high schools of Geneva to be humanist. •  Author of Institutes of Christian Religion (1536), “the

most widely read and influential work of theology published in the entire Reformation” (B. Kingdon).

•  Published in Latin (1559), French (1560), and multiple languages •  A catechism that seeks to explain Prot. Reform in simple terms for

the layman; it avoids formal logic and traditional proofs. •  Lucid, simple style (for the 16th century….) •  Establishes modern French •  See Janz, pp. 269-282 for excerpts •  See Grendler, p. 331 for comment

Calvin’s Institutes

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Calvin the Theologian •  Predestination •  Spiritual presence of

Christ in Eucharist •  Iconoclasm •  Abolition of Mass •  Justification by faith;

baptism and communion only;

•  Prohibitions vs. adultery, drunkeness, gambling, cards, theatre, music…

“We have taught that the knowledge of God, otherwise quite clearly set forth in the system of the universe and in all creatures, is nonetheless more intimately and also more vividly revealed in his Word” (Institutes 1.10.1). “...we must cling to this principle: God's glory is corrupted by an impious falsehood whenever any form is attached to him” (Institutes 1.11.1).

Calvin’s Lamentations (1576)

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Calvin the Reformer

•  Establishing Geneva as a model city •  No beggars, no trash, regulation of prostitutes •  Divorce •  Educational reform •  “You can do anything you want in Geneva as long

as you do not enjoy it…” ☺

•  Michael Servetus case & lack of religious toleration

Calvin the Organizer

•  Church Gov’t – Pastors, teachers, elders, deacons (p. 223) – Consistory = combo. of Church & State

–  Enforces morality –  Administers poor relief

•  International Calvinism •  Dutch Reformed Church (Holland) •  Presbyterian Reformed Church (Scotland) •  Puritan Reformed Church (England, America)

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What is the appeal of Calvinism?