John Calvin- Pastor, Theologian, Tyrant?

 I have seen many attacks upon John Calvin throughout my short Christian walk thus far. Many attack Calvin, as if he is the determining factor in us holding to The Doctrines of Grace. I have seen people treat Calvin as this "frozen and chosen" theologian whom had no regards for people and read books all day (nothing wrong with Calvin's brilliance on expressing theological truths, but he was much MORE than that). Others (and what I will deal with in this article), portray Calvin as the Pope of Geneva- a tyrant. I wish to deal with a video that critiques John Calvin and his work in Geneva ( most accusations are false). This video concludes that he is in hell. It saddens me to actually know someone believes this. Those who have never read a page Calvin has written are always ready to kick him out of the kingdom, due to a distortion they have read or heard- of who he was and what he believed. This seems to be the case here. Here is the video:

Let us deal with some of the accusations:

1) (At 00:31) It is said that " the supreme power of theocratic rule was given to the magistrate: John Calvin"

Response: This is false. First, Calvin was brought to Geneva (already a protestant city). He was told to help reform the city. He was also told to write a confession of faith and did so with the help of his friend Farel. This confession HAD to be approved by the council. Calvin was even banished from Geneva once, because he disagreed with the council over whether the powers of excommunication should rest within the state or the church. Calvin and Farel desired the latter. The council rejected this reform. Calvin and Farel were exiled to Strasbourg in 1538. Calvin continued to have opposition in Geneva (until his death). Further proof of Calvin's limited power is the fact that he was not even a citizen of Geneva until 1559. How is Calvin the "supreme power of theocratic rule" when the council had the final say in most matters? This is never mentioned in the video above. I wonder....why?

2) (00:48) " With in five years, 58 sentences of death and 76 sentences of exile, took place in Geneva"

Response: So? First, Calvin nor the church had any authority to put anyone to death. They even had to fight the council inorder to excommunicate people. The council, who was in the political sphere, had control over the death penalty and for a time matters in the church. We are also never told whether Calvin apporved of these alleged fifty eight sentences of death.

(At 1:10) It is said " Calvinism falsely teaches that God forces the elect to believe, it is no wonder Calvin also thought he can force the citizens of Geneva to all become the elect. Not becoming the elect was punishable by death, or expulsion from Geneva under Calvin's rule"

Response: Lets take this step by step. First, the coming of the elect is not something they do out of their own will and strength. We are told in scripture that man is dead in sin and no one seeks after God. Can this individual please explain to me how dead sinners, who don't seek after God, end up believing? Further, the Greek word in John 6:44 for "drawn" is "Helkuo" which means to "drag". If this is the "force" this individual is referring to- then I would have to give an amen.

Next, Calvin did not believe he can force the citizens of Geneva to become the elect. Can we see a quote from Calvin where he said this? This is a total misrepresentation of Calvinism and what Calvin believed. The elect are chosen because of God's good pleasure and will. No man can change his own heart- Calvin believed this. And I hope those who make these assertions believe the same. Unfortunately, I believe they are serious when they make such foolish remarks.


3) ( At 1:56) " Calvin had Servetus arrested for his disagreement with Calvin's theology"

Response: Absolutely false. He was charged with heresy against the Trinity. An essential doctrine to Christianity. Next, how come this gentleman never cares to explain how Servetus arrived in Geneva? Second, how come we are also never told about Calvin's past correspondence with Servetus? Calvin had pleaded with Servetus to repent of his heresy. Servetus had published works against the doctrine of the Trinity. He described the Trinity as ""a three-headed Cerberus, a dream of Augustine, and an invention of the devil." He starting using the pseudonym "Michael de Villenueve" because using his own name would of had him arrested by the Spanish Inquisition. Calvin had agreed to meet with Servetus in Paris once (risking his own life), and Servetus never showed up. Calvin also never gave up Servetus to the authorities, which he could of since he knew who "Villenueve" was. Servetus showed up in Geneva. There are still questions as to why Servetus showed up in Geneva. Servetus was then arrested and placed on trial. Heresy was a crime in the 1550's. I'm sorry, but this is the reality of the day in which these people lived. Geneva wasn't the only state who was doing this. That is absurd. Further, there was a trial in place, and Servetus was found guilty of heresy. Geneva also asked other states on what to do with Servetus, and they were all in agreement that Servetus had to be killed. Calvin wanted Servetus to recant of his heresy against the Trinity. The Council decided that a burning at the stake would be the style of execution. Calvin pleaded with the Council that he receive a more humane death (beheading). They refused.

4) (2:10) " Servetus was correct in challenging Calvin's false teaching of infant baptism for salvation"

Um, okay. Calvin did not in anyway, shape, or form, believe that the sprinkling of water on infants would save them nor cleanse them. This is a Roman Catholic view and Calvin refuted it before.


"It is now clear, how false the doctrine is which some long ago taught, and others still persist in, that by baptism we are exempted and set free from original sin, and from the corruption which was propagated by Adam to all his posterity, and that we are restored to the same righteousness and purity of nature which Adam would have had if he had maintained the integrity in which he was created. This class of teachers never understand what is meant by original sin, original righteousness, or the grace of baptism. Now, it has been previously shown (Book 2: chap. 1: sec. 8,) that original sin is the depravity and corruption of our nature, which first makes us liable to the wrath of God, and then produces in us works which Scripture terms the works of the flesh, (Gal. 5: 19.)" - John Calvin ( Institutes of The Christian Religion/ Book 4/Chapter 15/Section 10)




 Here is a lengthier refutation of this claim on youtube: Here


Once again, if people would just take the time aside to do their homework, they would see how erroneous their presuppositions are.

5) (3:40) " Please see our video on the truth about the heresy of Calvin's teaching on Predestination."

 I saw this one, and I was not impressed. I just might see said video, and offer a refutation.

Another- more detailed refutation of Calvin's so called tyranny in Geneva will be posted soon.

Here are some other links for you read on the issue: Here, This one is excellent by Michael Horton, and this one by Banner of Truth

In Christ, Awretchsaved

Part 2 to this article: here