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''Synopsis:'' {{Infobox_Contents |topic_name = John Calvin... |subtopics = [[Calvinism]], [[Predestination]] |opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |}} John Calvin was a famous [[Protestant]] Reformer French and Swiss reformer and theologian, of the sixteenth century. He is especially known for the his establishment of his Presbyterian system of Soteriology (the study of church governance in [[salvationGeneva]]) called [in [CalvinismSwitzerland]] or the Doctrines , as well as his understanding of Gracesalvation and grace, in particular, predestination.
{{rtoc}}{{topics}}* [[Calvinism]] {{opinions}} ==Main article== John Calvin (was born on July 10, 1509 – . He died on May 27, 1564) was a prominent French theologian during the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of the theological system known as Calvinism. Along with Martin Luther, Calvin is arguably one of the two most significant architects of the Reformation.
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=== Childhood and early career ===
Calvin’s ambition was not to be a professional lawyer, but a man of letters. In 1532 he self-published a commentary on the Roman philosopher Seneca's ''Treatise on Clemency'' that evidenced considerable rhetorical skill, but otherwise went unnoticed.
During his time in Paris, Calvin converted from [[Roman Catholicism]] to evangelicalismProtestantism, and subsequently became an informal leader to other Paris evangelicals. All that is known about the occasion is what he himself says in the preface to his commentary on the Psalms:
: To this pursuit I endeavored faithfully to apply myself in obedience to the will of my father; but God, by the secret guidance of his providence, at length gave a different direction to my course. And first, since I was too obstinately devoted to the superstitions of Popery to be easily extricated from so profound an abyss of mire, God by a sudden conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame, which was more hardened in such matters than might have been expected from one at my early period of life.
==== Calvin and Calvinism ====
[[Calvinism]] is most noted for its understanding of soteriology salvation which was codified at the [[Synod of Dort]] in 1618-19 in the so-called [[TULIP|Five Points of Calvinism]].
There is some debate as to whether Calvin himself would have affirmed all five points as such. In his writings, he explicitly affirms [[total depravity]], [[unconditional election]], [[irresistible grace]], and the [[perseverance of the saints]]. However, his affirmation of [[definite atonement|limited atonement]] is implicit at best. Some scholars, such as [[Norman Geisler]], deny that Calvin would have endorsed limited atonement; others, such as Roger Nicole, say that his theology affirms all five points.
Geneva became a safe haven for Protestant refugees, not only from France, but all over Europe. Calvin founded a school to instruct men in Reformed theology and then train them to return home, preach the Gospel, and plant churches. The city therefore became the nucleus of missionary activity; for example, in 1561, 140 missionaries are recorded as having left Geneva.
: "Calvin didn't just plant small fledgling churches; he planted mega-churches that in turn planted more churches. It is difficult to fathom the extraordinary success of these Genevan sponsored missionaries. Even in our modern era, such statistics are unheard of."[http://www.rts.edu/quarterly/fall01/james.html]
The missionary influence of Calvin extended not only to his native France, but also to Scotland, home of the Presbyterian Church, England, northern Italy, the Netherlands, and even Poland. Calvin also sent out the first two overseas missionaries in the history of Protestantism: an expedition to Brazil in 1556.
* [http://www.challies.com/archives/001318.php The Servetus Problem], by Tim Challies
{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Famous Christians]] -> [[Theologians and Evangelists]]
[[Category:Famous Christians]]
