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In 1536, during an intended overnight stay in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, Calvin met [[William Farel]], another reformer. Farel, although a very strong preacher, lacked eloquence and the ability to argue well. He wanted Calvin to remain in Geneva and assist him in his preaching there.  

In 1536, during an intended overnight stay in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, Calvin met [[William Farel]], another reformer. Farel, although a very strong preacher, lacked eloquence and the ability to argue well. He wanted Calvin to remain in Geneva and assist him in his preaching there.  

Calvin 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). 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.

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).  

 

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 is often remembered in conjunction with the trial and execution of [[Michael Servetus]], who was condemned by both many Reformers and the Roman Catholic church for committing heresy by denying the [[Trinity]]. Servetus was burned at the stake, despite Calvin's recommendation that Servetus ought rather to be beheaded, a form of execution considered in that day to be more honorable.

Calvin is often remembered in conjunction with the trial and execution of [[Michael Servetus]], who was condemned by both many Reformers and the Roman Catholic church for committing heresy by denying the [[Trinity]]. Servetus was burned at the stake, despite Calvin's recommendation that Servetus ought rather to be beheaded, a form of execution considered in that day to be more honorable.

Calvin's theology influenced many different Reformational groups, particularly the [[Presbyterian]]s in Scotland, the [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and [[Baptist]]s England and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] in [[Netherlands]]. The [[Westminster Confession]], the [[London Baptist Confession]] and the [[Belgic Confession]] are three statements of belief created by these groups and affirm a Calvinistic interpretation of theology.

Calvinism influenced many different Reformational groups, particularly the [[Presbyterian]]s in Scotland, the [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and [[Baptist]]s England and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] in [[Netherlands]]. The [[Westminster Confession]], the [[London Baptist Confession]] and the [[Belgic Confession]] are three statements of belief created by these groups and affirm a Calvinistic interpretation of theology.

Calvin's theology, known as "Calvinism," later evolved into ''Hyper-Calvinism'' by some. Hyper-Calvinists emphasized [[predestination]], the doctrine that God chooses who will put their faith in Him, to the point where they abandoned preaching the [[Gospel]]. This position has been renounced by most Christian groups, including all major Reformed denominations and groups, who affirm the preaching of the Gospel to the unregenerate as one of the commands given to the Church by Christ himself.

Calvin's teachings on [[predestination]] were later interpreted by a few Calvinists in a way that has come to be called ''Hyper-Calvinism'' by some. So-called Hyper-Calvinists hold that because God imparts his grace to only some individuals of his choosing (the "Elect") there is no point in the visible Church preaching the [[Gospel]] to the unregenerate. This point of view has been rejected by almost all Reformed churches and groups. They espouse the preaching of the Gospel to the unregenerate as one of the commands given by Christ himself to his Church.

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