John Calvin

John Calvin was a French preacher who was one of the major figures of the Reformation that swept across 16^th-century Europe. Known in particular for setting up the Reformed Church and restructuring the educational system in Geneva, Calvin dedicated his life to establishing a way of living in accordance with the Scriptures. In just 50 minutes, you will find out how his actions fundamentally influenced Christian orthodoxy and understand his profound impact on European theology.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the Calvin’s key achievements, including his seminal work Institutes of the Christian Religion and the foundation of the Genevan Academy. It also features a full biography, a valuable introduction to the political, social and economic context and an evaluation of the impact of his teachings and the rise of Calvinism, giving you all the essential information about this influential theologian.

About John Calvin

John Calvin was born in 1509 in Noyon, France. He studied law at university before realizing that his true calling was not the legal world, but the world of religion. After he finished his studies, he began to teach in Fortet. He gradually converted over the course of 1533 and 1534 and wrote his first treatise in 1534 about the resting of souls between death and the Final Judgement. He became pastor of the Church of Geneva in 1536, which is when his religious influence began to grow. By the beginning of 1542, he had already put in place the essential aspects of the Reformation.

This clear and accessible 48-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to John Calvin
• Biography of John Calvin
  • Education
  • From classical education to conversion
  • The start of Calvin’s life in Geneva
  • Strasbourg: Calvin becomes a theologian
  • New momentum for reform
• Political, social and economic context
  • Luther’s foundational action
  • The adoption of reform and the arrival of Calvin
  • A pluralistic reform
  • The Affair of the Placards (October 1534)
• Highlights
  • Calvin’s letter to the king
  • Institutes of the Christian Religion: Calvin’s Summa Theologica
  • From doctrine to application: the organisation of the Church of Geneva
  • The foundation of the Genevan Academy (1559)
  • Calvin, a man of many struggles
• Impact of John Calvin’s teachings
  • The move towards a shared reformist policy and the break with Lutheranism
  • The reaction of the Catholic Church
  • The development of a network of Reformed Churches and its consequences
• Summary