Essay About John Calvin And Such Matters

Personal Veiw of God the Father
Essay title: Personal Veiw of God the Father
A Personal View of
God the Father
In approaching this topic I think it is very important that I communicate where I stand on
the issue. There has been many divisions because of a lack of knowledge and open
mindedness. We like to always put God in a box. You can’t put God into a box. I believe
that both Theologies apply and are supported by scripture. There are also some flaws in
both Theologies. The idea of corporate election and predestination has one major flaw
which the Scriptures does not seem to support. God’s foreknowledge was the basis of His
election and predestination. Since God knew everything as though it were in the present,
and His election and predestination were based on His foreknowledge, and since He
knew everyone who was foreknown or predestined, then God’s predestination had to be
individual just as His knowledge was.
It is very important that we cover the history of the two theologies. First we will cover
reformed theology, Calvinism. There are many people in history who have made a very
big impact on their culture, times, and or religion.
John Calvin was by far one of these few great people. He had
such a big influence in the time which he lived from 1509 to
1564. John Calvin devoted almost his whole life to the promoting of Protestantism and
made such a difference that his impact is still seen today in Christianity.
Calvin was born in France and was the second son in his family of five brothers. He grew
and then decided to go to the famous University of Paris to study to be a priest. His father
then had a conflict with the bishop who employed him so he then turned to the study of
law. While he was studying in Paris he came across the writings of Martin Luther. His
cousin then introduced him to the ideas of reformation. Protestantism began gathering
momentum all over Europe. Then by 1533 Calvin began getting involved with the
movement. That year Calvin had his salvation experience. He wrote about it later and
stated, “God subdued and brought my heart to surrender. It was more hardened against
such matters than was to be expected in such a young man.” Calvin then knew to full fill
his place with God he would have to turn away from the Roman Catholic church, so that
is exactly what he did.
His first attempt was November first that year. He gave a speech just like Martin
Luther’s, attacking the church and demanding a reform. He figured that if he spoke to the
people and educated them on Protestantism then they would be ready to make changes in
the Roman Catholic church. It did not turn out his way at all. This resulted in anti-
Protestant protests all over Paris, forcing him to flee for his own safety. He roamed from
place to place and then ended up in Basle, Switzerland. This is where he started his
writing. You see John Calvin was considered a quiet, timid natured man. The kind of man
who would never fight in disputes. In his time there he really got to do the things he
wanted to accomplish out of life. These were to study and learn about God and his holy
word.
After this he went to Geneva after getting kicked out for his teachings he got invited back
to help turn the city around spiritually. He never held a political office in Geneva but he
ruled