John Calvin
John Calvin is one of the most important figures involved in the Protestantreformation. He devoted his life to bring about change in the church. His ideas on reformin the church brought about many changes that influenced Protestantism in Europe as On July 10, 1509, John Calvin was born in the city of Noyon in France to GirardCalvin, a lay administrator, and Jeanne Le Franc. His family was of the middle class. Asa young boy, Calvin was well educated. At the age of twelve, Calvin received his firstecclesiastical benefice and he prepared to attend the university in Paris. In 1523, at theage of fourteen, Calvin entered the University of Paris where he was studying to become A few years later, his father decided his son should study to become a lawyer, soCalvin followed his fathers wishes and attended school in Orleans and Bourges. Duringthis time, Calvin was exposed to a new movement among students which aimed toreform church and society by studying of the bible in its original languages. This left astrong mark on Calvin. When his father died in 1531, Calvin no longer felt any pressureto become a lawyer. He finished his degree in law and then returned to Paris to continue
Calvin also had ideas on ways to improve life for the citizens of Geneva. He felt that the Eucharist brought together the Christiancommunity and gave a reminder of how Jesus gave his life to save us. Calvin became a pastor at a church for French speaking refugees andlectured mainly about the bible. He attended many religious conferences and became a wellknown figure in the reform movement. Calvin came up with the idea to form aconsistory, which was a council consisting of four member from the government, forpastors, and four elder member of the church. Calvin also believed in the idea of justification through grace. In 1this time he wrote what the first edition of the Institutes of Christian Religion and it waspublished in 1536. In this way, Calvin shows that we do not choose God, but Godchooses us. In 1538, the two men were expelled by the town council from thecity. In 1558 hecame down with quartan fever and never fully recovered. Calvin placed the value of the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper, very highly. God is completely sovereign and decisions humans make throughout theirlives will not effect God's decision. These people are chosenby God and humans have no choice in the matter. The couple only had one child that died ininfancy.
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