John Calvin was a French theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the Christian theology later called Calvinism, aspects of which include the doctrines of predestination and of the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation of the human soul from death and eternal damnation. Calvin was born in Picardy, France on 10 July 1509. He attended University of Orléans and University of Bourges where he studied both law and ... moreJohn Calvin was a French theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the Christian theology later called Calvinism, aspects of which include the doctrines of predestination and of the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation of the human soul from death and eternal damnation. Calvin was born in Picardy, France on 10 July 1509. He attended University of Orléans and University of Bourges where he studied both law and Koine Greek. In around 1530, Calvin converted from his earlier views particularly on Catholicism and began a lifetime study and evangelism which would later be termed Protestantism. By 1532 he received his degree and licence to practice law. In 1533, a friend of his, Nicolas Cop, a rector at Collège Royal in France, advocated for reform within the Catholic Church in a speech. This was considered heretical. Calvin was fingered in the offense and was forced flee France after the Affair of the Placards during October 1534. During the incident, unknown reformers posted placards in various cities criticizing the Roman Catholic mass. One of the placards was placed on the bedchamber of the King of France. The incident was thus considered serious treason and soon afterwards, the suspects were burned at the stake.
From 1536 onwards, Calvin started actively and aggressively engaging in reformation work. He published his Institutio Christianae Religionis (Institutes of the Christian Religion) in March 1536. The publication was a defence of the work of the reformers. During this time, he was now in Basel, Switzerland. In that same year, Calvin was recruited by Frenchman William Farel to join the Reformation in Geneva, where he regularly preached sermons; but the governing council of the city resisted the implementation of their ideas, and both men were expelled. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg, where he became the minister in church of French refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva and in 1541 he was invited back to lead the church of the city. Following his return, Calvin introduced new forms of church government and liturgy, despite opposition from several powerful families in the city who tried to stop his authority. Following an influx of supportive refugees and new elections to the city council, Calvin's opponents were forced out. Calvin spent his final years promoting the Reformation both in Geneva and throughout Europe.
