John Calvin (Jean Cauvin)

Jean Cauvin (Known as "John Calvin")

Reformed Theologian, Pastor of Geneva, Author of Institutes of the Christian Religion

Born 10 July 1509

Noyon, France

Passed Away 27 May 1564 Geneva, Switzerland

Lifespan 54 years old

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Notice / Correction

"True wisdom consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. 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."

Archival Overview

Systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation who established Geneva as the spiritual bastion of Reformed Christianity. Authored the Institutes of the Christian Religion, articulating doctrines of divine sovereignty, grace, and civic duty.

Biographical Record

Trained in law and humanities in Paris, Orléans, and Bourges, Calvin broke from the Catholic Church around 1530 and fled France. Recruited by William Farel to reform Geneva, he constructed a rigorous ecclesiastical and educational framework that attracted religious refugees across Europe.

His Institutes provided Protestantism with its most comprehensive theological system. At his explicit request to prevent personality veneration, he was interred in an unmarked grave in Geneva.

Key Life Milestones

March 1536

Publication of the Institutes (Basel)

Published the initial Latin edition of Institutes of the Christian Religion, dedicated to King Francis I.

September 1541

Ecclesiastical Ordinances of Geneva

Returned to Geneva by city invitation, establishing the Consistory and Presbyterian church governance.

1559 CE

Founding of the Geneva Academy

Inaugurated the Genevan Academy (University of Geneva), training pastors who evangelized Europe.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Cimetière des Rois (Plainpalais)
Geneva, Switzerland

                         GPS: 46.1994, 6.1394                    

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