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'''John Calvin''' (Old French ''Jean Cauvin''(July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] Protestant theologian during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology as found in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. Many aspects of his thought are referred to as [[Calvinism]].

'''John Calvin''' (Old French ''Jean Cauvin'')(July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] Protestant theologian and lawyer who was a leading figure during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology as found in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. Many aspects of his thought are referred to as [[Calvinism]].

Calvin's father was a notary for the Catholic Church in Noyon, and his father arranged for his education in both Orleans and Paris. His father at first expressed interest in Calvin becomin a Catholic priest, and at the age of twelve he was [[tonsure|tonsured]]. When a person was tonsured his [[hair]] was cut, leaving the top of his head bald.  

Calvin's father was a notary for the Catholic Church in Noyon, and his father arranged for his education at Universities in both Orleans and Paris. His father at first expressed interest in Calvin becomin a Catholic priest, and at the age of twelve he was [[tonsure|tonsured]]. When a person was tonsured his [[hair]] was cut, leaving the top of his head bald.  

With his father deciding against theology, Calvin began attending the University of Paris.  Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time. During this time, reform was popular amongst many of the elite in Paris. This continued until the Affair of the Placards, where pictures denouncing the mass were placed everywhere, including on the King's own door.

With his father deciding against theology, Calvin began attending the University of Paris to purse a career in law.  Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time. At this time, Protestantism did not exist in France as it does today, with reform being popular amongst many of the elite in Paris. This continued until the Affair of the Placards, where pictures denouncing the mass were placed everywhere, including on the King's own door.

For this reason in 1534 [[King Francis I]] began persecuting the Protestant minded individuals, and Calvin fled Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he published the first edition of his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not heretical. He would revise and expand this work several times.

For this reason in 1534 [[King Francis I]] began persecuting the Protestant minded individuals, and Calvin fled Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he published the first edition of his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not heretical. He would revise and expand this work several times.

He had no wish to remain in Geneva. He wanted, instead, to continue his journey to [[Strasbourg]]. However, when Farel lost his temper with Calvin's stubbornness and shouted,"If you refuse to dedicate yourself here with us to this work of God, God will curse you, for you seek yourself rather than Christ!", Calvin felt that God had called him to Geneva.

He had no wish to remain in Geneva. He wanted, instead, to continue his journey to [[Strasbourg]]. However, when Farel lost his temper with Calvin's stubbornness and shouted,"If you refuse to dedicate yourself here with us to this work of God, God will curse you, for you seek yourself rather than Christ!", Calvin felt that God had called him to Geneva.

At that time, Geneva was said to be a very immoral city. Some people did not take kindly to Calvin clamping down on their "liberty" (which was merely the license to do whatever they wanted-immoral or otherwise).  

 

At that time, Geneva was torn between camps, with native Genevans and the recent influx of refugees from France. The newer refugees favored s stricter mode of life, with practices that Calvin denounced. Some people did not take kindly to Calvin clamping down on their "liberty" (which was merely the license to do whatever they wanted-immoral or otherwise).  

Calvin was threatened many times, banished once for three years, and insulted by having stray dogs named "Calvin" after him. However, his hard work for reform in Geneva paid off. In later years, the [[liberal]] attitude of Geneva allowed the city to become known as the "Protestant Rome". It became a safe haven for persecuted Reformed scholars from [[Scotland]] and [[England]] during the Catholic rule of [[Mary I]] and Mary Stuart.

Calvin was threatened many times, banished once for three years, and insulted by having stray dogs named "Calvin" after him. However, his hard work for reform in Geneva paid off. In later years, the [[liberal]] attitude of Geneva allowed the city to become known as the "Protestant Rome". It became a safe haven for persecuted Reformed scholars from [[Scotland]] and [[England]] during the Catholic rule of [[Mary I]] and Mary Stuart.