Page 75 - History of Christianity - Student Textbook

Bullinger’s zeal for truth empowered future generations to seek truth from Scripture and to rely upon the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, not the Pope, to explain it.
(exerts from https://www.gotquestions.org/Heinrich-Bullinger.html)

John Calvin (1509–1564) was a prominent French theologian during the
Protestant Reformation and the father of the theological system known as
Calvinism

As a student in Paris, he studied the liberal arts before continuing his studies in
theology at his father’s request. Later, when his father had a falling-out with the
local bishop, he instructed John to pursue an education in civil law, which he did in
Orleans. After graduating as a Doctor of Law in 1531, he returned to Paris.

Calvin’s ambition was not to be a professional lawyer, but a man of letters. In 1532 he self-published a
commentary on the Roman philosopher Seneca’s Treatise on Clemency that evidenced considerable rhetorical
skill, but otherwise went unnoticed.

During his time in Paris, Calvin left Roman Catholicism and joined the Protestant movement, subsequently
becoming an informal leader to other Paris Protestants.

On his way to Basel in 1536 he passed through Geneva where reformer William Farel persuaded him to stay and
help the cause of the church, which he did for nearly two years. As a result of government resistance, Farel and
Calvin left Geneva and Calvin moved to Strasbourg where he pastored from 1538–1541. When Calvin’s
supporters won the election to the Geneva city council in 1541, he was invited back to the city where he
remained until his death in 1564.

You have heard of Calvinism? People who follow Calvin’s teaching range from moderate to
extreme. Calvin stressed the doctrine of election, that God predestined some for salvation. He
taught that if a person is elected, then the Holy Spirit’s wooing to salvation cannot be resisted.
He also taught that since some people are elected for salvation, then Christ on the cross died just
for the sins of those who would be saved, and not for those who are not elected. It is called limited
atonement.

Even today there are those who will refuse to have Christian fellowship with you if you disagree with these
views. We need to know what the Scriptures declare about these subjects and be willing to stand for the
truth as best we can understand it.

Henry VIII King of England, 1509-47

Henry VIII, king of England, had little interest in spiritual things; his interest was
in getting the church to approve of his lifestyle. In 1521 he attacked Luther’s
view of the sacraments and received the title “Defender of the Faith” from the
pope.

74