John Calvin (1509-64)

Major works

•          Institutes of the Christian Religion

•          Commentaries

Importance

•          Along with Luther, the most important Protestant reformer

•          Magesterial Reformer of Geneva

•          Father of Reformed and Presbyterian theology

•          Great systematizer of theology

•          Held to sola scriptura

•          Held to historic view of Trinity

•          Held to secret predestination (absolute, particular, and double)

•          Held to sola fidei

•          Held to infant baptism

•          Held to spiritual presence view of the Lord’s Supper

•          Stressed Christ’s role as mediator

•          Believed there were two marks of church—Word preached and sacraments rightly used

•          Had Servetus put to death

•          His views contrasted with those of Arminius