John Calvin- Pastor, Theologian, Tyrant? Part 2

If you haven't seen the first article I wrote on this matter- here it is.


Those who hate the doctrines of grace will go to great lengths to attempt to smear all that is labeled Reformed. Ad-hominems will be thrown, red herrings will be shot. A common attack is to portray John Calvin as the pope of Geneva. As if Calvin had this supreme authority in Geneva that was absolute. This is historically inaccurate.


They speak as if Calvin were the reason we ascribe to Reformed Theology and not holy writ. I've yet to understand this sort of argumentation. Yet, Calvin has been smeared, and accused of things that certainly aren't true.


Here is a prominent Christian historian (Owen Chadwick) on the matter:


"His first efforts to organize the Church were stopped by exile, from 1538-1541, for Geneva never wished to be organized altogether as Calvin preferred" (Pg. 83)


"In a measure the magistrates had already been forced to allow the right to excommunicate, as a condition of Calvin's return from exile. They sought to restrict it not only by these ambiguous addittions but by insisting that a civil magistrate preside at the consistory, baton in hand, as a sign that he was acting as a civil magistrate and not simply as a leader. Calvin at last succeeded in removing the baton 1561. The council always retained more control of the elections of the consistory than he wholly approved..." (Pg. 84-85)


" For Calvin was not the absolute ruler of Geneva pictured by legend and his enemies. There were many matters on which he could not achieve all that he wanted. He wanted the pastors to take the first steps in choosing the pastors, and the council insisted on being associated with the work of selection from the beginning. He wanted the pastors to be present when the council elected the elders, and succeeded in achieving this during his last few years, though the old practice was restored eight years after his death. He wanted the punishment of harlots to be severe, and it was never so severe as he thought proper." (Pg. 87)


" He was not popular. He was the kind of man who has only disciples or opponents; it was impossible to be neutral about him. He was known and beloved by a few intimates." (Pg.88)


There is some sort of intellectual honesty that you expect from fellow Christians. I expect distortion of truth from those who suppress the knowledge of God, but I have yet to get use to this from those who profess Christ as Lord.


Source: Here is the book


In Christ, Awretchsaved