Calvinism AP European Protestant Reformation

John Calvin ( ) born Jean Cauvin highly educated: lawyer and priest logical, structured thinker highly structured church

Institutes of Christian Religion (1536) highly structured, logical text universal appeal, although written for King Francis tenets justification by faith (as Luther) Lord’s Supper = symbolic act Church was superior to all state should be christianized through “Elect” leaders; state = theocracy Predestination saved (the elect) or not saved (the reprobate)

Predestination through God’s will alone you are saved/damned (Elect/Reprobate) open profession of faith (baptism & communion) persistent pursuit of saintly life strength of the individual; inner conviction “We call predestination God’s eternal decree, by which He determined what He willed to become of each man. For all are not created in equal condition; rather, eternal life is ordained for some, eternal damnation for others.”

Geneva 1536 set out for Strasbourg, but ended in Geneva due to Habsburg/Valois wars Geneva: French-speaking enclave in Switzerland 1535: political and civil unrest independence from Bishop of Geneva & Duke of Savoy Success: led to religious reforms monasteries dissolved, Mass abolished, Papal authority renounced

Ecclesiastical Ordinances (1541) restructuring of church gov’t. as written by Calvin and city council priests, elders (laymen elected by city council), and deacons (laymen who carried for poor & often held political appts.) formed the consistory (governing body of church that is ties to the state) 1555 – finally more priests than laymen Calvinism begins to gain more political footing

Consistory right to excommunicate enforced strict moral code no work/pleasure on Sunday no extravagant dress death penalty for blasphemy tongue piercing for lewd speech or song

The Tide turns for Calvinism Execution of Michael Servetus (1553) Spanish scholar who denied the validity of the Trinity His execution drove out the remaining Libertines in Geneva Libertines try to take Geneva (1555) fail and leaders are executed

Spread of Calvinism Netherlands 1550: 1 st preachers arrive in Netherlands Lutheranism & Anabaptism prevalent Background: 1524 Charles V introduces his own inquisition; 1529 & 1531 he issues edicts to kill all those associated with Lutheranism or Lutherans Calvinism prevails due to its highly organized structure France 1553: 1 st Calvinist ministers go to France 1563: 2150 Huguenot churches; ~10% (1 million) of French are Calvinist located mainly on west coast & in south-east

Spread of Calvinism (~1555+) Geneva = heart of movement primary & secondary schools Academy (1559) established [University of Geneva] train French Huguenots to mission to France and other areas 1559 = 162 students 1564 = 1500 students

Anglican Church Catholic Reformation