John Calvin - The Image of Medieval Christian Reformation

There are two main figures credited with the Reformation: Martin Luther, who initiated a tidal wave that brought ancient beliefs to an end by empowering individuals to stand forth as independent thinkers. The second figure, arguably by many, is John Calvin, whose works are regarded as the most significant religious contributions of the sixteenth century. Calvin is praised as one of the most important figures of the second half of the Reformation due to his dedication and diligence toward the expansion of the reformed Christian religion.

John Calvin - A Symbol of the Medieval Christian Reformation

John Calvin was born in France on July 10, 1509. Calvin absorbed Luther’s teachings and merged them into his own, creating a religious movement known as Calvinism. Calvin was only eight years old when Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the church door. His thought process emerged from his stay in the city of Geneva, where he developed his movement. Calvin had a rigorous education and, “had considerable interest in the development of an authentic Christian theology, and was well aware of the importance of issues of personal piety and spirituality.” To Calvin, theology “offered a framework for engaging with public life.” Calvin’s task was to unify and strengthen what Luther had begun, staying true to the scriptures of the Bible.

The Reformation and Calvinism

The Reformation unfolded in many steps, initially engulfed by the total sovereignty of the Catholic Church, which held a near-monopoly on Christianity. Luther’s teachings introduced Lutheranism, which then evolved into Protestantism. Calvin further reformed Protestantism into what is today known as Calvinism. The basis of Calvinist beliefs derives from the idea that individuals have no choice in who is admitted into Heaven, as God has predestined everyone’s lives. In contrast, Luther taught that salvation could be acquired through faith alone. Calvinism teaches that salvation is not possible for everyone and only a few seats in Heaven are attainable, while Lutheranism believes salvation is accessible to any person. Calvinists believe that God has supremacy over all actions done by a person, which explains why only a select few have reserved seats in Heaven, as it is God’s will for specific people to serve His needs. Lastly, Calvinists believe that Christ is present during the sacred sharing of bread and wine, whereas Lutherans believe Christ always presides in spiritual form.

Calvin's Views on Society and Work

This era saw Christian tradition focused solely on pleasing God. Those who worked labor jobs were condemned and considered second-rate Christians, as they were seen as wasting time that could be spent pleasing the Lord. In Calvin’s views, “God places individuals where He wants them to be,” which explains his criticism of human ambition as an unwillingness to accept the sphere of action God has allocated to us. Due to this, social aspects were irrelevant to Calvin’s views, as he believed God places people where He pleases, and individuals have no say in the path God chooses for them. Anyone who thought they were superior to another human was going against God’s will, as God created everyone equal. According to Calvin, “All human work is capable of appearing truly respectable and being considered highly important in the sight of God.” No matter the task at hand, from the most minute to the largest, God placed every person in a position, and it is a human’s task to fulfill God’s will. By not doing the task, one goes against the Lord’s will. This strong belief derives from the fourth sola, Solus Christus, through Christ alone, and the fifth sola, Soli Deo Gloria. In order to repay the debt given by Jesus Christ and God, one must excel in all aspects of life and become superior in any way possible.

Calvin's Influence and Legacy

Calvin had a strong will toward uniting society to transcend in the name of God. The ultimate praise to God is shown by working on God’s behalf. As Calvin’s follower, William Perkins, put it, “The true end of our lives is to do service to God in serving of man” (McGrath, 1990). Calvin had a firm belief in St. Paul’s directive, “If someone does not work, then he should not eat.” Calvin perceived it as an individual’s duty to serve all people out of recognition of God and respect for Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, one can repay their debts. Great shame arrives for a person who does not allow their life to intertwine with God’s plan. Social aspects that go against God’s will are condemned.

Calvin's Educational Reforms

Calvin was instrumental in furthering the Protestant faith during the Reformation. The idea of predestination was defined by Calvin. Movements such as Puritanism, capitalism, and representative democracy are, in part, attributed to the theologian. Calvin knew that in order to establish a proper religion, there must be a leader, and he took it upon himself to become that person. A well-educated man, Calvin understood the importance of putting full faith in people having a deep knowledge of their Bibles. In 1541, Calvin set forth to Geneva to lead a ministry. He created a system in which, “Ordinances there were to be four offices in the church: pastors (ministers or teaching elders), teachers (doctors), elders, and deacons. Candidates for the ministry” were required to be examined in two main areas: on their doctrine and their morals. Anyone who wished to become a minister had to have “a good and sound knowledge of scripture, an ability to communicate it clearly to people in an edifying way, and an understanding and commitment to the Reformed doctrines held in Geneva” (McGrath, 1990).

Conclusion

To conclude, in order for society to prosper, humanity must learn from its own mistakes. The sixteenth century became notorious for its rigorous religious movements that took the world by storm, aiming to create a perfect playground in the name of God and Jesus Christ. Through the actions of reformers like Luther and Calvin, and the basis of the Bible, the spiritual revolution shifted from the hands of corrupt practices such as those of the Catholic Church to the spiritual awakening of people’s mentality. This shift impacts today’s society in all aspects of life. Because of the actions set forth by reformers like John Calvin, who highlighted the dishonorable practices of the Catholic Church, an example was set for humanity to progress into a modern era, impacting all future aspects of life by invalidating misconduct brought upon those with power.

References

McGrath, A. E. (1990). Reformation Thought: An Introduction. Blackwell Publishers.