Inspirational Quotes by John Calvin (French Theologian)

John Calvin (1509–64) was a French theologian and ecclesiastical statesman who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. He is most famous for developing the theological system known as Calvinism and influencing the establishment of Reformed churches. The Calvinist variant of Protestantism had a significant impact on shaping the modern world.

Calvin was born in Noyon, Picardy, where his father, Gérard Cauvin or Cauvin, served as procureur-fiscal and diocese secretary. He studied Latin in Paris from 1523 and later pursued law in Orleans. During this time, he felt compelled by the Scriptures to study theology. In Bourges, he learned Greek, published an edition of Seneca’s De clementia, and began preaching the reformed doctrines. After a brief stay in Paris in 1533, which had become a hub of intellectual and religious fervor, he visited Noyon. He traveled to Nerac, Saintonge, Angoulême (the residence of Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre,) and then returned to Paris. Due to persecution, Calvin fled France, and in Basel, he published his influential work Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536) with a famous preface addressed to King Francis I.

In Geneva, Calvin was persuaded by the Protestant reformer Guillaume Farel to contribute to the Reformation efforts. A ‘Protestant Confession of Faith’ was proclaimed, and strict moral standards replaced licentiousness. However, the sudden and extreme changes caused tension, leading to a rebellion led by the Libertines. As a result, Calvin and Farel were expelled from the city in 1538. Calvin sought refuge in Strasbourg, where he dedicated himself to studying the New Testament critically. In 1542, he received an invitation to return to Geneva. He established a theocracy there through his College of Pastors and Doctors and Consistorial Court of Discipline. He aimed to reorder society based on reformed Christian principles, exercising strong and occasionally harsh control over citizens’ social and individual lives.

Calvin made a dual contribution to Protestantism: he systematized its doctrine and organized its ecclesiastical discipline. His commentaries cover many Old and New Testaments, excluding the Book of Revelation. In 1559, he founded a theological academy in Geneva, which later became a university. Calvinism was further developed by his followers, particularly Theodore Beza (1519–1605.)

Biographies about John Calvin include Richard Stauffer’s The Humanness of John Calvin (1971,) Thomas Henry Louis Parker’s John Calvin: A Biography (1975,) William J. Bouwsma’s Calvin (1987,) and Alister E. McGrath’s A Life of John Calvin (1990.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by John Calvin

Wherever we find the Word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God.
—John Calvin
Topics: Churches, Religion

But those who wish to prove to unbelievers that Scripture is the Word of God are acting foolishly, for only by faith can this be known.
—John Calvin
Topics: Acting

Every one of us is, even from his mother’s womb, a master craftsman of idols.
—John Calvin

All the blessings we enjoy are Divine deposits, committed to our trust on this condition, that they should be dispensed for the benefit of our neighbors
—John Calvin
Topics: Blessings

The answer of our prayers is secured by the fact that in rejecting them God would in a certain sense deny His own nature.
—John Calvin
Topics: Prayer

Man’s mind is like a store of idolatry and superstition; so much so that if a man believes his own mind it is certain that he will forsake God and forge some idol in his own brain.
—John Calvin

There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence
—John Calvin
Topics: Intelligence, Confidence

I have not so great a struggle with my vices, great and numerous as they are, as I have with my impatience. My efforts are not absolutely useless; yet I have never been able to conquer this ferocious wild beast.
—John Calvin

The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul.
—John Calvin
Topics: Conscience

You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy.
—John Calvin
Topics: Suffering

Faith consists, not in ignorance, but in knowledge, and that, not only of God, but also of the divine will.
—John Calvin
Topics: Belief, Faith

Faith is a knowledge of the benevolence of God toward us, and a certain persuasion of His veracity.
—John Calvin
Topics: Faith, Belief

When a member of our physical body is diseased and the whole body has to labor to restore it to health, we do not despise this diseased member or hold it under obligation because it needs all this assistance.
—John Calvin
Topics: Charity

However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.
—John Calvin
Topics: Blessings, Wishes

No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.
—John Calvin

Each eye can have its vision separately; but when we are looking at anything, our vision, which in itself is divided, joins up and unites in order to give itself as a whole to the object that is put before it.
—John Calvin
Topics: Christianity

A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God’s truth is attacked and yet would remain silent.
—John Calvin
Topics: Action

Inspirational Quotes by John Calvin (French Theologian)

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