Story

John Calvin Born July 10, 1509 in Noyon, France Raised in a strict Roman Catholic family. His father wanted Calvin to be a Priest When he was 14 Calvin went to Paris to study at the College de Marche to study for university He studied, grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music In 1523 Calvin transferred to the more famous College Montaigu In 1527, Calvin became friends with some people who where ‘reform-minded’ and eventually turned to ‘Reformed Faith’ which is the basis of scepticism. Because of his work with the Reformed Faith, it is also known as Calvinism By 1528 Calvin moved to Orleans to study civil law By 1532 Calvin finished his law studies and also published his first book, a commentary on De Clementia by the Roman philosopher, Seneca Around 1533, Calvin fled Paris. He lived in various places under various names, while he studied on his own, preached, and began work on his work, the Institutes of the Christian Religion In 1536 Calvin separated himself from the Roman Catholic Church and made plans to leave France and go to Strasbourg Because of a war between Francis I and Charles V, he made a detour to Geneva Calvin had become very famous in Geneva, and a local reformer, Farel, invited him to stay. He began as a lecturer and preacher In 1538 was asked to leave Geneva because of theological conflicts He went to Strasbourg until 1541 He lived peacefully, and happily as a pastor to French refugees, until 1541 when the Council of Geneva requested that he came back He had a great difficultly deciding whether or not he should return to Geneva He loved his life in Strasbourg, but he felt a responsibility to return to Geneva He did return to Geneva, where he lived until his death on May 27, 1564 His last years were filled with lecturing, preaching, and the writing of commentaries, treatises, and various editions of the Institutes of the Christian Religion John Calvin So what is your name and what do you do' Tell us a little about yourself. What kind of education did you receive' What kind of subjects did you study in those years' What did you do after you finished school' How did you like Geneva' How long were you in Geneva for' Where did you go after you left' So obviously you left Strasbourg, why' What are you currently doing here in Geneva' http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/JohnCalvin.htm_ http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/ I’ve gone by so many names in my life time, but my birth name was John Calvin, and currently I am Preacher as well as a reformist, and humanist. Also I can be considered an author. I was born on July 10th 1509 in Noyon, France. I grew up in France and I received most of my education in France. I was raised as a Roman Catholic, but my beliefs are more towards the reformed belief, which is basically questioning what the church says, and what the bible says. I went to grammar school from the age of 7- 14, then I attended College de Marche in Paris. Then I transferred to College Montaigu for a higher education, and eventually ended up in Orleans.. At College de Marche, I studied 7 subjects, grammar, Public speaking and persuasion, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music, and then in Orleans I studied civil law. And When I was traveling I received a humanist education I started to talk to other people about religion and they got me interested in the Reformed belief. I then went to a lot of different places, getting a humanist education from many different Reformists and scholars. I wrote my first book, _a commentary on De Clementia by the Roman philosopher, Seneca_, where I simply gave my opinions on Seneca’s ideas. I then went to Geneva and worked there. I didn’t intend on staying there, but a man named Farel, a reformer there, convinced me to stay a while. It was ok... I didn’t like it too much because it felt like I was being forced to stay. Farel had threatened me with the wrath of God if I left. I was there for 5 or 6 years, and then I was asked to leave because of some reformation debates and issues. Apparently, some council members didn’t like my opinions, so they suggested that I leave. To be honest, I didn’t mind it too much. I ended up going to Strasbourg. I had wanted to go there for some time, and I was actually planning on going there after my visit to Geneva, but then I couldn’t leave, so once I got kicked out that was the first place I thought of going. I lived as a pastor to French refugees. It was a really peaceful life, and I am grateful that I got to spend some time there. Funny story. So the council of Geneva contacted me one day and asked me to return to Geneva. At first I just laughed. I loved the life I had in Strasbourg and didn’t want to leave, but I soon started to feel like I had a responsibility to the people of Geneva. So eventually, I packed up and now I’m back in Geneva. I’m giving lectures and preaching, and in my spare time I’m writing copies of my second book Institutes of the Christian Religion. And I intend on living out the rest of my life here.