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John Calvin’s journey to becoming Reformed was marked by a combination of personal study, intellectual engagement with the early Protestant reformers, and his encounter with the Word of God. Here is an overview of the key factors that led Calvin to embrace and develop Reformed theology:
Early Life and Education
- Birth and Early Years:
- Calvin was born in Noyon, France, in 1509 into a devout Roman Catholic family. His father, Gérard Cauvin, initially intended for him to pursue a career in the priesthood.
- Education in Theology and Law:
- Calvin began studying theology in Paris, where he was exposed to scholasticism and the traditional teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
- Later, at his father’s direction, he shifted to studying law at the universities of Orléans and Bourges. His legal training honed his analytical skills, which would later influence his theological writings.
- Encounter with Renaissance Humanism:
- Calvin was deeply influenced by the Renaissance humanism of his time, particularly the works of Erasmus, which emphasized returning to the original sources (“ad fontes”).
- This approach encouraged Calvin to study the Bible in its original languages, opening the door for a more direct engagement with Scripture.
The Influence of Protestant Ideas
- Emergence of the Reformation in France:
- During Calvin’s university years, the Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther in 1517, began spreading through Europe, including France.
- Calvin encountered the writings of Luther and other Reformers, which challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and emphasized salvation by faith alone.
- Connections with Reform-Minded Scholars:
- Calvin associated with reform-minded humanists and scholars in Paris, including Nicolas Cop, rector of the University of Paris, who gave a speech in 1533 advocating for reform and criticizing Catholic abuses.
- When Cop’s speech provoked outrage from Catholic authorities, Calvin became implicated due to his association with Cop and was forced to flee Paris.
Conversion to Protestantism
- Personal Study of Scripture:
- Calvin described his spiritual transformation as a sudden, profound encounter with the truth of the gospel. He later referred to this in his preface to his commentary on the Psalms, saying:“God by a sudden conversion subdued and brought my mind to a teachable frame.”
- His deep study of the Bible, especially the writings of Paul, led him to reject the Catholic view of works-based salvation and embrace the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
- Rejection of Roman Catholicism:
- Calvin became increasingly convinced that the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings were contrary to Scripture, particularly its reliance on tradition and its doctrines of works-based righteousness.
- This conviction led him to break from Catholicism and align himself with the growing Protestant movement.
Development of Reformed Theology
- Influence of Martin Luther:
- Calvin was influenced by Luther’s emphasis on salvation by grace through faith and the authority of Scripture.
- However, Calvin’s theological system diverged from Luther in its emphasis on God’s sovereignty and predestination.
- Engagement with Ulrich Zwingli:
- Calvin was also influenced by the Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli, particularly in his views on the sacraments. While Calvin developed his own distinct sacramental theology, he aligned more closely with Zwingli’s symbolic understanding of the Lord’s Supper than with Luther’s view.
- Systematic Development:
- Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, first published in 1536, systematically articulated Reformed theology. It was a groundbreaking work that set Calvin apart as a major theological voice in the Reformation.
Geneva and the Spread of Reformed Theology
- Calvin in Geneva:
- In 1536, Calvin was persuaded by William Farel to stay in Geneva to help establish a Reformed church. Despite initial resistance from the city’s leaders, Calvin’s leadership eventually transformed Geneva into a hub of Reformed theology and practice.
- Training of Ministers and Theologians:
- Calvin’s work in Geneva included training pastors and theologians who spread Reformed theology across Europe, particularly to France, Scotland, the Netherlands, and parts of Germany.
Summary
John Calvin became Reformed through:
- His exposure to Renaissance humanism, which directed him to Scripture.
- The influence of Protestant writings and reform-minded colleagues.
- A personal, transformative encounter with the gospel message of justification by faith.
- His systematic and thorough study of Scripture, which convinced him of God’s sovereignty and the centrality of grace in salvation.
Calvin’s intellectual rigor and pastoral commitment made him a central figure in the Reformed tradition, shaping its theology, worship, and church governance for generations.
Q. Humanism seems like something very different today to what it likely was in the day of John Calvin. Can you elaborate?
ChatGPT:
You’re absolutely right! The term humanism has evolved significantly over time and carries very different connotations today than it did in the era of John Calvin. Here’s a breakdown of what Renaissance humanism meant in Calvin’s time and how it contrasts with modern humanism:
Renaissance Humanism (15th–16th Century)
Definition: Renaissance humanism was an intellectual and cultural movement that sought to revive the study of classical antiquity—particularly Greek and Roman literature, philosophy, and art. It emphasized a return to the sources (Latin: ad fontes) of knowledge, valuing the dignity of human beings as created in God’s image and the importance of human reason and learning.
Key Features:
- Focus on Classical Texts:
- Humanists like Erasmus of Rotterdam and others studied ancient texts in their original languages, bypassing medieval scholastic interpretations.
- This approach deeply influenced biblical studies, as scholars applied the same methods to Scripture, studying Hebrew and Greek manuscripts to understand the Bible more accurately.
- Revival of Languages:
- A hallmark of Renaissance humanism was the revival of Greek, Latin, and, to a lesser extent, Hebrew. This enabled deeper engagement with classical literature and Scripture.
- Educational Reform:
- Humanists emphasized a well-rounded education (the studia humanitatis), which included grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy.
- The goal was not to undermine theology but to enrich it with a broader understanding of human culture and the created world.
- Christ-Centered Focus (Christian Humanism):
- Christian humanists like Erasmus used the tools of humanism to critique the corruption of the medieval church and call for reform, emphasizing Scripture as the ultimate authority.
- Calvin, like Erasmus, was influenced by this movement but went further, aligning with Protestant theology.
Connection to Calvin:
- Calvin’s motto of ad fontes reflects humanism’s influence. He studied the Bible in its original languages, rejecting the medieval scholastic synthesis of philosophy and theology.
- While humanism inspired Calvin’s intellectual rigor, his theology moved beyond Renaissance humanism by emphasizing God’s sovereignty, human depravity, and the need for divine grace.
Modern Humanism
Definition: Modern humanism, particularly secular humanism, emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries during the Enlightenment and grew into a worldview emphasizing reason, science, and human potential while often rejecting supernatural or religious explanations.
Key Features:
- Secular Orientation:
- Modern humanism often dismisses the supernatural, focusing instead on human reasoning and the empirical sciences as the sole sources of knowledge.
- Autonomy and Ethics:
- A core principle of modern humanism is the belief in human autonomy and the capacity for individuals to determine moral and ethical principles without reference to divine authority.
- Optimism about Human Nature:
- Modern humanists typically hold a positive view of human nature, emphasizing progress, equality, and the potential for humanity to solve its own problems.
- Separation from Christianity:
- While Renaissance humanism was deeply rooted in a Christian worldview, modern humanism often positions itself in opposition to religious doctrines, including Christianity.
Key Thinkers:
- Modern humanism has been influenced by Enlightenment philosophers like David Hume, Immanuel Kant, and John Stuart Mill, as well as 20th-century thinkers like Carl Sagan and Richard Dawkins.
Key Contrasts Between Renaissance and Modern Humanism
| Aspect | Renaissance Humanism | Modern Humanism |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Revival of classical learning; Christian worldview | Emphasis on human potential and secular progress |
| Relationship to Religion | Rooted in Christianity, enhancing biblical studies | Often rejects or downplays religious influence |
| View of Humanity | Humans as created in God’s image, with dignity and purpose | Humanity as autonomous, capable of self-determination |
| Approach to Knowledge | Ad fontes (return to original sources, including Scripture) | Empirical science and reason as the basis of knowledge |
| Cultural Influence | Reforming education and the church | Reforming society and ethics apart from theology |
Conclusion
In Calvin’s day, humanism was a tool used to deepen faith and understanding by reconnecting with Scripture and the classical heritage of Western civilization. It was not inherently secular or anti-religious. By contrast, modern humanism is often defined by its rejection of the divine and its reliance on human reasoning and autonomy.
Calvin embraced the intellectual rigor and cultural renewal of Renaissance humanism but rooted it firmly in the authority of Scripture and a theological framework. Modern humanism, while inheriting the Renaissance love of learning and progress, has largely severed its ties to its Christian origins.