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'''John Calvin''' (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[theology|theologian]] during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology called [[Calvinism]].

'''John Calvin''' (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] Protestant theologian during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology called [[Calvinism]].

Calvin received an excellent [[education]].  He expected to become a [[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.  This represented giving one's life to [[Jesus]], because in that day and age, long hair symbolized [[secular]] power.   

Calvin received an excellent education.  He expected to become 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.  This represented giving one's life to Jesus, because in that day and age, long hair symbolized secular power.   

In 1523, Calvin began attending the [[University]] of [[Paris]].  Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time.   

In 1523, Calvin began attending the University of Paris.  Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time.   

Eventually the Protestant thinkers at the University won Calvin to their way of thinking, and he became an open [[Huguenot]].   

Eventually the Protestant thinkers at the University won Calvin to their way of thinking, and he became an open [[Huguenot]].   

However, in 1534 [[King Francis I]] began persecuting the Huguenots, and Calvin had to flee Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he completed his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not [[heretic|heretical]].

However, in 1534 [[King Francis I]] began persecuting the Huguenots, and Calvin had to flee Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he completed his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not heretical.  

At that time, Geneva was said to be a very [[immoral]] city. Some people did not take kindly to Calvin clamping down on their "[[Libertarianism | 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 [[dog]]s 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]] rules of "Bloody" [[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.

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.

Calvin's theology, known as "Calvinism," later became twisted into ''Hyper-Calvinism'' by some. Hyper-Calvinists over-emphasize [[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 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.

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:French People]]

[[Category:French People]]

[[Category:Protestantism|*]]

[[Category:Protestantism|*]]

[[Category:Christian History]]

[[Category:Christian History]]

[[category:Theologians]]

[[category:Theologians]]