Calvin Reformation

Question 1

Why would Calvin’s ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’ draw out animosity from the Catholic Church?

Answer 1

1) Some Lutheran views, sola fide/scriptura, priesthood of all believers…
2) Strong critic of papacy, wanted to take out any support of the CC, inc. P
3) Views on sacraments were different including the Eucharist. Christ present in spiritual sense

Question 2

What was the importance of ‘The Ecclesiastical Ordinances’?

Answer 2

1) Calvin’s condition on helping Geneva, set a Calvinist Church order – Provided Structure much needed for Geneva
2) The Consistory provided discipline to those who failed to keep high standards –> v. Imp. During C. 2nd ministry
3) Set up schools, strengthened Calvinist teaching. Generation of Calvinists

Question 3

What was the purpose of Calvin’s ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’ which was published in 1535/6?

Answer 3

1) To explain the evangelical Protestant faith
2) To show it could be well organised and effective
NB: it was not an outline of Calvainism

Question 4

Why would Calvin’s ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’ draw out animosity from the Catholic Church?

Answer 4

1) Some Lutheran views, sola fide/scriptura, priesthood of all believers…
2) Strong critic of papacy, wanted to take out any support of the CC, inc. P
3) Views on sacraments were different including the Eucharist. Christ present in spiritual sense

Question 5

What was the importance of ‘The Ecclesiastical Ordinances’?

Answer 5

1) Calvin’s condition on helping Geneva, set a Calvinist Church order – Provided Structure much needed for Geneva
2) The Consistory provided discipline to those who failed to keep high standards –> v. Imp. During C. 2nd ministry
3) Set up schools, strengthened Calvinist teaching. Generation of Calvinists

Question 6

What was the purpose of Calvin’s ‘Institutes of the Christian Religion’ which was published in 1535/6?

Answer 6

1) To explain the evangelical Protestant faith
2) To show it could be well organised and effective
NB: it was not an outline of Calvainism

Question 7

What was controversial about Calvin’s belief is Predestination?

Answer 7

1) God had already decided whether someone was reprobate (damned) or elect (saved)
2) Where typical predestination was that G would elect people to be saved, C’s interpretation was that God had ALREADY chosen who was to be saved or damned.
3) Free will, there is no free will of our destination has already been determined

Question 8

What did Calvin stress about predestination?

Answer 8

He claimed that people should strive to live their lives like one of the elect in order to gain; generally if you acted like an elect you already had salvation and if you acted like a reprobate you were already damned without salvation.

Question 9

What was most important about Calvin’s strict use of the Bible as the basis for all belief?

Answer 9

Calvin believed that every scripture within the bible was important. His attitude towards Castellio and Luther is because they claimed certain scriptures were not as important as others which Calvin did not agree with.

Question 10

When was Calvin’s first ministry in Geneva? How and when did it end?

Answer 10

1536-8

The council ordered Calvin and Farel to leave due to their disregard of authority

Question 11

Why did Calvin go to Geneva in 1536?

Answer 11

Calvin’s family was going through issues, Farel approached him explaining Geneva’s situation.
Calvin believed that God would curse him if he did not help Farel.

Question 12

What did Calvin say about Farel when he approached him with the situation of Geneva?

Answer 12

He said that Farel “burned with an extraordinary zeal for the Gospel”

Question 13

Who was William Farel?

Answer 13

He was a French reformer and a close friend of Calvin’s. Lutheran sympathiser. Is one of main reasons for Calvin first ministry and then encouraged him to return in 1541.

Question 14

Why was Geneva in a state of confusion when Calvin arrived in 1536?

Answer 14

• Geneva was technically under authority of Duke of Savoy, BUT authority was disputed between the Bishop of Geneva and the city council (claimed was independent)
• Geneva had allied with Berne in hope of independence. Bishop driven out w/ troops in 1527.
• Berne decided to support a reformation. Supporters of French, Savoy and Berne faction causing riots. -Geneva wanted to free itself from interference from Berne. City had agreed to is own Evangelical Reformation.

Question 15

Why was it impossible for one group/faction to dominate the government of Geneva?

Answer 15

Geneva’s government structure was not ruled by a single family. There was different roles, such as syndicate (who were elected annually).
Little council held most power, 4 members of LC were syndicate as acted as governors. Two main fractions= pro French and the Libertines

Question 16

Why was the government of Geneva’s structure beneficial for Calvin?

Answer 16

It meant any of his opponents could did not stay in power for any length of time

Question 17

Why did Calvin and Farel’s first ministry fail?

Answer 17

1) Even w/ LC acceptance of Calvin’s articles, they were cautious with giving power to Church so restricted some of Calvin’s authority. Also, because Farel and Calvin were foreign the city felt as if they were telling them what to do when they weren’t Genevan. Eg, the Confession of Faith had many ppl refusing to sign.
2) Even w/ their clear system of reform, C and Farel had little political sense. In 1538 syndics opposing Calvin were in power, but C still made demands. C called LC a “council of the devil”.
3) Struggle for power between Church and civil power. Calvin and Farel refuse to hold sermon on Easter leading to mobs roaming streets. Calvin and Farel were ordered to leave.

Question 18

Where did Calvin go when he was kicked out of Geneva in 1538? And what did he do?

Answer 18

He went to visit Martin Bucer in Strasbourg and became a pastor to the French exiles.
Bucer, after having an effective reformed Church in 1527, was a huge influence over Calvin. Similar views.
Bucer taught Calvin the need the need to compromise over key issues and relations between the Church and civil authorities.

Question 19

Why did Calvin return to Geneva in 1541?

Answer 19

1) Pro French faction majority in LC, led to them inviting Calvin back into Geneva. The Little Council (LC) agreed to draw up structured org. for Genevan Church which accepted a lot of Calvin’s proposals.
2) The LC allowed Calvin to have a lot more authority. It took persuasion from Bucer, Farel and the LC to get him to return
3) Calvin’s own religious behaviour led him to feel obligated to return to Geneva and help it succeed in its reformation.

Question 20

What was the role of The Consistory?

Answer 20

> > Their duty to enforce high standards of religious and social behaviour. Eg, missing Sunday services these were only 14% of their cases by 1550.
Led to more: sexual misconduct and family and neighbourly disputes.
With religious disputes, also focused on moral issues. Raised payments etc.

Question 21

What was Calvin’s most particular concerns?

Answer 21

Reform in Doctrine

Public behaviour. Singing and dancing denounced. Should only be focusing on faith, not vanity. Sexual crimes punished severely.

Question 22

What was role of the Pastors?

Answer 22

> > Expected to preach, administer sacraments and assist in the exercise of discipline.
Were to hold regular sermons so that no one had an excuse to miss one
weekly classes to teach children

Question 23

What is The Grabeau?

Answer 23

‘To examine’

A session where patsies faced criticism from peers. A session of “mutual frank and loving criticism”

To raise standards with motivation

Question 24

Why was Calvin central to the success of the Genevan Reformation?

Answer 24

> > w/out personal authority and charisma would not have succeeded
an intense scholar. He was certain he was working under guidance of Holy Spirit so had no patience for opposition.
his dedication led to him having extensive knowledge and sharing it successfully

Question 25

Why could we argue that Calvin’s influence was not that important to the success of Calvinism within Geneva?

Answer 25

> > Geneva known for being ‘sin city’ possible standards were low and they were easy going.
No statistics to compare Geneva with other cities in terms of reforming to Calvinism
Before Calvin’s arrival, behaviour was being disciplined, no evidence to show how successful C was in controlling promiscuity. Eg return of prostitutes

Question 26

Who was John Knox?

Answer 26

Fled to Geneva in 1553 when Catholic Mary was crowned. Impressed with reformation.
In 1557 wrote book denouncing female rulers, led to being barred from entering country in 1558 when Elizabeth was crowned.
Carried out Calvinist reformation in Scotland

Question 27

What was the name of the book John Knox wrote that denounced the rule of female women and resulted in him being barred from entering England by Elizabeth?

Answer 27

The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women

Question 28

How did Geneva’s previous exposure to Protestant (P) ideas lead to the success of Calvinism in Geneva?

Answer 28

> Geneva’s ally, the city of Berne had went through an Evangelical (E) reformation in 1528. –> placing pressure on Geneva to have their own reformation.
despite pressure from Berne and E reformers Pierre Viret and Farel, the council made no decision.
Calvin offered reformed faith that would provide independence

Question 29

In what ways was Geneva a theocracy?

Answer 29

• Even though Little Council (LC) held power, they never went against Calvin’s wishes. So if he wanted something, he was not refused. So in the long term, Calvin had authority. LC willing to listen to C forced plans of refined society
• after 1555, unchallenged and Consistory rights increased

Question 30

In what ways was Geneva not a theocracy?

Answer 30

• The Little Council (LC) still held full authority. All decisions had to go through them.
• church not in control of any structures of gov. And remained unchanged.

Question 31

What was Sebastian Castellio’s opposition with Calvin?

Answer 31

Claimed ‘Song of songs’ was erotic poem not inspired by God. By 1544 C got syndics to expel him due to criticising of former colleagues

Question 32

What was Ameaux ‘s opposition to Calvin?

Answer 32

Gambling business was ruined by Calvin’s ban. Said Calvin taught untrue doctrine.
Was humiliated in public as punishment