John Calvin

Michael Mullett

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781134882724
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: World History
• Index: History

John Calvin (1509-1564) is one of the most important figures in religious history. Sitting on the cusp of the medieval and early modern world, he was centre stage during the Reformation. In this new biography, Michael Mullett introduces us to this most important figure, tying his life together with that of Martin Luther, but also valuing his individual contribution and influence.

From what Calvin himself described as 'humble beginnings', he became one of the most influential theologians of the Protestant Reformation. The influence of his teachings and the development of Christian theology into what was to become known as Calvinism, swept across Europe, reinforcing the Reformation's radical break from the Catholic Church. John Calvin was 'a mighty and formidable man, able to achieve the vast amount he did because of his unbending conviction of his rightness'.

Michael Mullett explores the significant influences on Calvin and his work, and the relationships that he formed along his reforming path. Looking not only at the impact of Calvin throughout the early modern period and the importance of his work to contemporaries, Michael Mullett also assesses the impact that Calvin's works have had in shaping the modern world, and the relevance that they still have today.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Halftitle Page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table Of Contents
• Preface and acknowledgements
• Chronology
• 1 ‘Obscure and lowly beginnings’: Calvin’s earlier years
• 2 ‘The basic teaching of the Christian religion’: Calvin’s ‘Institutes’, 1536
• 3 ‘Serious and dangerous factions among the inhabitants’: Calvin in Geneva, 1536–38
• 4 ‘Waiting for what the Lord wills to do with me’: Calvin in Strassburg and Geneva, 1538–41
• 5 Calvin in Geneva: Authorship, instruction and the ‘building up’ of the church
• 6 Calvin agonistes, 1545–55
• 7 ‘Care for the Churches’
• 8 ‘Travails for the exposition of holy scripture’: Calvin’s biblical commentaries
• 9 Calvin’s meridian, Calvin’s apotheosis
• 10 ‘So broken down by suffering’: Calvin’s illness and death
• 11 The impact of Calvin and Calvinism
• 12 John Calvin in the frame of history
• Notes
• Guide to further reading
• Index