John Calvin (1509–1564)
Calvin’s role in the Reformation differed from that of either Luther or Zwingli. He neither led a revolt against the church, nor did he precipitate a break with Rome. Instead, he was a second-generation reformer.
Calvin was French by birth. He was born at Noyen in Picardy where his father was a lawyer. When he was twelve years old, his father decided that he should study theology and secured for him a chaplaincy at Noyen cathedral to finance his studies in Paris. At the Collège de Montaign in Paris he came under the influence of the humanist reform movement founded by Standonck. He later studied law in Orléans and Bourges and continued to be influenced by Erasmian humanism.
Humanism made him conscious of the need for reform within the church and by 1529 or early 1530 he appears to have become a Protestant. Although nothing is known of the circumstances surrounding his decision, Calvin seems to have experienced a spiritual crisis which led to his rejection of the Catholic church. It was, however, only as late as 1534 that he surrendered his benefice at Noyen cathedral and openly accepted Protestantism.
Calvin’s decision to break with the church came at a dangerous time, for 1534 was the year in which Francis I began his vigorous persecution of Protestants. Calvin was one of many reformers who had to flee France, and he chose Basle, an important centre of the Swiss Reformation, as his place of refuge.
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