Compiled by Lewis Loflin
From *A History of the Modern World* (Palmer & Colton, 1950, pp. 78–79):
John Calvin (1509–1564), born Jean Cauvin in France, was a priest, lawyer, and humanist fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew. Converted c. 1533, he joined Luther’s revolt, publishing *Institutes of the Christian Religion* (1536) in Latin—logical, global, not German-centric like Luther (*preface*). My note: Reason? Hardly—dogma ruled.
Calvin echoed Luther’s faith-over-works (*Institutes* 3.11), but split on communion—Luther’s real presence vs. Calvin’s symbolic view (4.17). Two big rifts: predestination—God pre-picks the “elect” few for salvation (*3.21*), per Augustine (*City of God* 14.28)—and church-state fusion, rejecting state control (*4.20*). Calvinists aimed to Christianize all, using presbyteries, not bishops (*Ordinances*, 1541). My note: Elitism and control—reason recoils.
Predestination fueled zeal, not fatalism—Calvinists, dubbed Puritans, were militant (*3.23*). In Geneva, post-bishop ouster (1535), Calvin ruled from 1541—ministers and elders enforced strict morals, plain worship (*Consistory*). Michael Servetus burned 1553 for denying the Trinity (*Defense*). My note: Intolerance in action—deism abhors it.
Geneva drew reformers—English, Scots, French—spreading Calvinism (*Kingdon*). Huguenots (France), Presbyterians (Scotland, 1560), Puritans (England) adopted it. Not democratic—aristocratic “elect” dictated—but it nudged democracy via work’s dignity and self-rule (*Weber*). My note: Power, not liberty—reason sees through.
From Richard Hooker (WSU):
Calvin shaped Western culture more than Luther (*Hooker*)—a bold claim. A humanist lawyer, he hit Geneva post-1520s revolt against Savoy and bishop (*Oberman*). Bern pushed Protestantism 1533; Calvin arrived 1536, exiled 1538, returned 1541. He fused church and state, enforcing a moral code (*Ordinances*). My note: Swapped one tyranny for another—reason rejects both.
By 1550s, Geneva was Calvinist central—40% foreigners (e.g., Knox) exported radicalism (*Naphy*). Literal scripture ruled all—church, society (*Institutes* 1.7)—with four roles: pastors (5), teachers, elders (12), deacons (*Acts 6*). Predestination locked salvation—God’s call, not ours (*3.21*). The “elect” were “living saints,” forming voluntary associations (*3.24*). My note: Fatalism cloaked as faith—deism trusts free will.
See WSU, Why Know Calvin.
