The Reformation

John Calvin, 1508-1564

John Calvin is at least on a par with Martin Luther as the creator of the Reformation. Like Luther, Calvin translated the Bible into his native tongue (French) and thereby had a powerful impact on his national language. Luther's followers created a formal church, but Calvin's followers created many churches; among them, the French Huguenots, the English Puritans, the Scottish Presbyterians, and the Dutch and German Reformed Churches. He also produced a single, magisterial work of Protestant theology, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion.

Although born a Frenchman, Calvin is associated with the Swiss city of Geneva, where he spent the last twenty-plus years of his life. There he not only helped build a strong Protestant community, he also helped build the foundations of an evangelical community that sent preachers across all of Europe.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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