John Calvin-Life,Legacy and Theology

JOHN CALVIN : LIFE, LEGACY AND THEOLOGY -
PROF. M. M. NINAN
Originally, the court had the power to mete out sentences, with excommunication as its most severe
penalty. The government contested this power and on 19 March 1543 the council decided that all
sentencing would be carried out by the government.
In 1542, Calvin adapted a service book used in Strasbourg, publishing La Forme des Prières et
Chants Ecclésiastiques (The Form of Prayers and Church Hymns). Calvin recognised the power of
music and he intended that it be used to support scripture readings. The original Strasbourg psalter
contained twelve psalms by Clément Marot and Calvin added several more hymns of his own
composition in the Geneva version. At the end of 1542, Marot became a refugee in Geneva and
contributed nineteen more psalms. Louis Bourgeois, also a refugee, lived and taught music in Geneva
for sixteen years and Calvin took the opportunity to add his hymns, the most famous being the Old
Hundredth.
In the same year of 1542, Calvin published Catéchisme de l'Eglise de Genève (Catechism of the
Church of Geneva), which was inspired by Bucer's Kurze Schrifftliche Erklärung of 1534. Calvin had
written an earlier catechism during his first stay in Geneva which was largely based on Martin Luther's
Large Catechism. The first version was arranged pedagogically, describing Law, Faith, and Prayer.
The 1542 version was rearranged for theological reasons, covering Faith first, then Law and Prayer.
Historians debate the extent to which Geneva was a theocracy. On the one hand, Calvin's theology
clearly called for separation between church and state. Other historians have stressed the enormous
political power wielded on a daily basis by the clerics.
During his ministry in Geneva, Calvin preached over two thousand sermons. Initially he preached
twice on Sunday and three times during the week. This proved to be too heavy a burden and late in
1542 the council allowed him to preach only once on Sunday.
Death of Idelette
But in September 1541, John headed toward Geneva to see if there was any reason why he should
change his mind. “I offer my heart to the Lord in sacrifice,” he wrote. Idelette stayed behind in
Strasbourg until he determined whether Geneva would be safe for her.
Geneva showered gifts on him. “There was a new robe of black velvet, trimmed with fur. And a house
on Rue de Chanoines, a short narrow street near the cathedral. At the back of the house was a
garden which overlooked the blue lake.” Then the Council sent a herald and two-horse carriage to
bring Idelette, the children and all the family furniture from Strasbourg to Geneva.
It was a traumatic move for Idelette as well as for John. Strasbourg had become home for her and her
children. Her brother and his family were there as well. All she knew of Geneva was what John had
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