Calvin’s Success in Geneva

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Calvin’s Success in Geneva In the generation after Luther and Zwingli the dominating figure of the Reformation was John Calvin, the French Protestant theologian who fled religious persecution in his native country and in 1536 settled in the newly independent republic of Geneva. Calvin led in the strict enforcement of reform measures previously instituted by the town council of Geneva and insisted on further reforms, including the congregational singing of the Psalms as part of church worship, the teaching of a catechism and confession of faith to children, the enforcement of a strict moral discipline in the community by the pastors and members of the church, and the excommunication of notorious sinners. Calvin's church organization was democratic and incorporated ideas of representative government. Members of the congregation elected pastors, teachers, presbyters, and deacons to their official positions. Although church and state were officially separate, they cooperated so closely that Geneva was virtually a theocracy. To enforce discipline of morals, Calvin instituted a rigid inspection of household conduct and organized a consistory, composed of pastors and laypersons, with wide powers of compulsion over the community. The dress and personal behaviour of citizens were prescribed to the smallest detail; dancing, card playing, dicing, and other recreations were forbidden; blasphemy and ribaldry were severely punished. Under this severe regime, nonconformists were persecuted and even put to death. To encourage the reading and understanding of the Bible, all citizens were provided with a... ... middle of paper ... ...ng Calvin to return from Strasbourg because they feared civil unrest. The Libertines were defeated and Perrin left the city was a factor which helped Calvin become a success in Geneva because his opposition was excommunicated. The growing numbers of French refugees was an advantage to Calvin as most of them become missionaries of the Reformation. Calvin’s character was another factor, which lead to his success in Geneva; the way he preached his creation of systems, his organisation skills, in the Ordinances. He set an example of Christian godliness. His writings were influential to the people and set standards. His ideal world was living from the Bible. Overall Calvin’s success was due to many factors all linked together and we cannot say it was just his personal leadership that lead to his success in Geneva. .

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