CELEBRATING JOHN CALVIN ---- FIVE HUNDRED YEARS
Telling many Presbyterians that in 2009 we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, might result in “Who’s that?” We are very familiar with Martin Luther, but theologian Calvin rates second in impact on Protestantism. Our Presbyterian denomination had its beginning after Scottish clergyman John Knox studied with Calvin in Geneva and brought back to Scotland Calvin’s theology and his “purpose and drive for education.” Our Donegal early Scots-Irish settlers were said to have been very literate and thereby able to immediately assume responsibilities in church and government and better their families’ well-being.
Calvin, born in France in 1509, became a student in Paris at age 14 preparing for a career in law. After a “sudden conversion,” his life was dedicated to Christianity, resulting in writing The Institutes of the Christian Religion, consisting of four thick volumes, published in 1559, which became the major textbook for students of theology.
In Geneva, Calvin’s Protestant leadership was resisted by the government wanting to have complete state control of the church. Calvin’s views, however, prevailed and he was allowed to continue his life in Geneva until his death in 1564 with burial in an unmarked grave according to his wishes.
The many conferences and exhibits scheduled in honor of Calvin in Geneva in the coming months are detailed in the April Issue of Presbyterians Today. Information here has also been excerpted from Presbyterian Heritage newsletter of the Presbyterian Historical Society.
More about John Calvin at Wikipedia here.
Last Edited on
04/24/2009