Calvin and his children

Yesterday was the 500 anniversary of John Calvin's birth, Calvin was a frail and fallen human who loved his Lord and saviour. He was also sanctified and tireless devoted to serving God in Geneva. The sales of his books were used to support the french protestant refugees who had fled France. Calvin is one theologian amongst many throughout the history of the holy catholic church (catholic with a small c). He also preached almost every day and during periods of sickness and towards the end of his life would preach either from his bed or be carried to church. He is not original in some sense because he proves in his institutes that he stands in the tradition of Augustine and many others. He did not start the reformation that honour goes to Martin Luther. He is not the only classical trained theologian of the period, so why are those of us who are reformed or "predestinarian" called Calvinists? I think the answer in part is because Calvin's Geneva produced many little Calvin's as both English and Scottish pastors and theologians sought refuge in Geneva and then took the theology they had learnt from him back home. This was then transported to the New World as the Puritans took that Theology with them. While Luther's theology stayed pretty much in Germany following his lack of interest in the theology of the Swiss reformers at the Marburg debate.

A second reason why we are called Calvinists is because he wrote a lot more his commentaries are still in print and still readable, these have been used and delighted in for centuries. His institutes whilst not a systematic theology are a complete guide to his theology and you don't find the same sort of writing from any of the other reformers. I enjoy Calvin's commentaries and think the Institutes are a wonderful example of a warm hearted theology and I am glad to be one of Calvin's theological children.

Shalom

Stephen