My theological orientation is not derived from what Calvin wrote . I have said before that it was years after coming to the conviction that the doctrine of grace was biblically true that I even bought any of Calvin's writings . I , of course , had seen quotes of his but never owned a single copy of anything of his .
So one can try to dismantle what has been known as Calvinism attempting to tear him down . But that doesn't destroy the biblical truths he was famous for declaring .
He was a man with feet of clay . He is not on the same par as Scripture itself . But he was a much better at explaining it , and giving the sense than most . Many who make a go at discrediting him haven't taken the time to really examine his work .
Many before him wrote on things he is associated with . His mentor at Martin Bucer ( 1491-1551)was strong on election .We might rightly be called Bucerites . Luther 1483-1546) was a stronger predestinarian than Calvin .Did you know that William Tyndale was of the same convictions ? Read his preface to the book of Romans for a sampling . John Wycliffe ( 1324-1384 ) needed no help from Calvin . His mentor Thomas Bradwardine ( 1290 - 13-- ) wrote something called " In Defense of God and Against The Pelagians " . I could go on and on with examples like Zwingli( 1484-1531 ) and Peter Martyr Vermigli ( 1499-1562 ).
Calvin ( 1509-1564) was a Frenchman . He never met Luther but may have written him . We know he corresponded with Melanchthon . He wrote to most of the Reformers . John Knox actually studied at John Calvin's feet .
Calvin wrote the Institutes Of The Christian Religion at just 26 , but he regulary enlarged it over the years . His last edition was finished a couple years before his death .
He did not want to go to Geneva . But William Farel threatened him with God 's curses if he did not go . Both of them were kicked out within 2 years . The next three years in Strassburg were some of Calvin's happiest . He married Idelette de Bure . she was a widow of a prominent Anabaptist .Calvin had supposedly converted them from their errors . Calvin to raise her children who did not live long . They had just one child together -- who died in infancy . After 9 years of marriage his wife died .
I can't verify this , but I read somewhere that Calvin did not even become a citizen of Geneva until the late 1550's .
Calvin, no matter what his name conjures up for you was known as the theologian of the Holy Spirit .
He was the first , I believe to introduce Christ as Prophet/Priest/King in a 3-fold office .
He was an evangelist for 3 years in France .
He had at least 12 major sicknesses to contend with . Most of them gave him considerable pain .
Did you know that Geneva under his leadership sent out about 160 missionaries in 1561 alone ?
These are just some facts that are useful to know .
[ March 15, 2006, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Rippon ]
So one can try to dismantle what has been known as Calvinism attempting to tear him down . But that doesn't destroy the biblical truths he was famous for declaring .
He was a man with feet of clay . He is not on the same par as Scripture itself . But he was a much better at explaining it , and giving the sense than most . Many who make a go at discrediting him haven't taken the time to really examine his work .
Many before him wrote on things he is associated with . His mentor at Martin Bucer ( 1491-1551)was strong on election .We might rightly be called Bucerites . Luther 1483-1546) was a stronger predestinarian than Calvin .Did you know that William Tyndale was of the same convictions ? Read his preface to the book of Romans for a sampling . John Wycliffe ( 1324-1384 ) needed no help from Calvin . His mentor Thomas Bradwardine ( 1290 - 13-- ) wrote something called " In Defense of God and Against The Pelagians " . I could go on and on with examples like Zwingli( 1484-1531 ) and Peter Martyr Vermigli ( 1499-1562 ).
Calvin ( 1509-1564) was a Frenchman . He never met Luther but may have written him . We know he corresponded with Melanchthon . He wrote to most of the Reformers . John Knox actually studied at John Calvin's feet .
Calvin wrote the Institutes Of The Christian Religion at just 26 , but he regulary enlarged it over the years . His last edition was finished a couple years before his death .
He did not want to go to Geneva . But William Farel threatened him with God 's curses if he did not go . Both of them were kicked out within 2 years . The next three years in Strassburg were some of Calvin's happiest . He married Idelette de Bure . she was a widow of a prominent Anabaptist .Calvin had supposedly converted them from their errors . Calvin to raise her children who did not live long . They had just one child together -- who died in infancy . After 9 years of marriage his wife died .
I can't verify this , but I read somewhere that Calvin did not even become a citizen of Geneva until the late 1550's .
Calvin, no matter what his name conjures up for you was known as the theologian of the Holy Spirit .
He was the first , I believe to introduce Christ as Prophet/Priest/King in a 3-fold office .
He was an evangelist for 3 years in France .
He had at least 12 major sicknesses to contend with . Most of them gave him considerable pain .
Did you know that Geneva under his leadership sent out about 160 missionaries in 1561 alone ?
These are just some facts that are useful to know .
[ March 15, 2006, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: Rippon ]
