We all know John Calvin the theologian. What about Calvin the preacher? The Genevan reformer we all know created and systematized what is known as the Reformed tradition in Protestant theology.1 Interpretation of Calvin the preacher, who we don't know as well, requires some understanding of the geographic, social, political, and theological world in which he lived.

Development

As with every preacher, the life of Calvin provided a backdrop and stage props to the drama of his preaching. He was a Frenchman, born at Noyon, Pacardy in 1509. In contrast to Luther, whose passion for spiritual living was well known to others around him, Calvin was a quiet, sensitive man. He said little about his inner life; he was content to walk with God privately and trace the workings of the Lord in his life.2

In the year 1512, when Luther was seeking peace for his soul, Calvin was a three year old toddler in his mother's arms. That year, Jacques Lefevre published a Latin translation and commentary on the epistles of Paul. "It is God who saves by grace alone," said the old professor.3 The teachings of Lefevre were later to have a monumental impact on the theological formation of Calvin.

In 1525, the writings of professor Lefevre were condemned, and his translation of the New Testament was publicly burned. Yet, he continued to work even as the writings of Luther began to make their way into France, smuggled and translated for the people. In Paris, John Calvin began to acquaint himself with the teachings of Luther.4 One day, as the neophyte found his way through narrow, twisting streets in Paris to the home of his uncle, the blacksmith Richard Calvin, the smoke and smell of burning human flesh went up from the Palace de Greve. A converted Augustinian monk was tied to the stake and burned for his "Lutheran heresies."5 Lefevre shaped the early thought of Calvin the theologue. Calvin would never forget the spectacle of burning for one's convictions.

About 1533, Calvin experienced a sudden conversion. He later wrote this testimony of his experience:

God subdued and brought my heart to docility. It was more hardened than was to be expected in such a young man."6

Breaking with Roman Catholicism, he left France and lived as an exile in Basel. It was there he began to formulate his theology and enter into correspondence with the Swiss and Strasbourg reformers.

In 1536 he published the first edition of The Institutes of the Christian Religion. In this work the young theologian gave a brief, clear defense of reformation beliefs. Soon after this manuscript was published, Calvin came to Geneva. Here Calvin learned that preaching the Word could achieve what religious rules and regulations could not. Together with Guillaume Farel, he concentrated on consolidating the reform movement there.

The townspeople swore allegiance to a reform statement in 1537, but Calvin met serious opposition in the town because of the strict discipline and uniformity that he imposed on believers. In fact, in November of 1537, the general council of the town refused to enforce the confession of faith; subsequently, the "Council of Two Hundred" denied Calvin and Farel the right to excommunicate recalcitrant members.7 These matters led only to further frustrations and quarrels, both theological and political, and the result was the expulsion of both Calvin and Farel from the city.8 Church discipline had failed to accomplish the desired result.