JOHN CALVIN

We can clearly see the ultra-conservatism in Calvin's Christian beliefs when he explains the fall of Adam and Eve, and the expulsion from Eden as a "curse" and that, as a result, "Man Has Now Been Deprive of Freedom of Choice" (Book II, l. 2). It is in the continuation of that same line that one can easily disagree with what we now call Calvinist dogma; namely, that man is "Bound Over to Miserable Servitude". This is not as a servant of God (a phrase many ministers and priests would ascribe to). Instead, Calvin gives no credit to Mankind whatsoever, using the term "Man's Corrupt Nature" (Book II, l.3). It is interesting to note that this "corrupt nature" theme is aimed at the "Papists" who, Calvin feels, boast about their religion too much. "Refutation of the False Accusations by Which the Papis

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theory, except to say "Scripture, to Correct All Superstition,. Has Set the True God Alone Over Against All the Gods of the Heathen" (Book 1, l.10). He never explains who these "heathens" are. Is he talking about Jews, Muslims, and the so-called "Papists?" It might seem that anyone other than those whop firmly believe in Calvinism would be considered "heathens." One has to clearly separate Luther from Calvin. While Luther was from peasant stock and an ordained priest, Calvin was never really a "Catholic" "Calvin never was ordained in the Catholic Church; his training was chiefly in law and the humanities; he took no vowsa. Calvin spoke to the learned at all times, even when preaching before multitudes. His manner is classical; he reasons on system; he has little humour (sic); instead of striking with a cudgel he uses the weapons of a deadly logic and persuades by a teacher's authority, not by a demagogue's calling of names" (Barry 1). Perhaps it is this spirit of pedantry and in a sense upper class demagoguery that makes Calvin so severe a proponent of "his" truth. He obviously opposes the Pope and all he stands for. "Of the power of the church in articles of faith. The unbridled license of the papal church in destro
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Approximate Word count = 1752
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

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