Humanities: Second year program September 20^th, 2001
Portraits of human greatness Lecturer: Dr Karin Maag

John Calvin and the Protestant Reformation

I. The early life of a French humanist: 1509-1534
A. Family background
B. Education
C. His first book
D. His interest in the Reformation

II. The Reformation and its causes
A. Problems in the church
B. Theological challenges
C. Quest for power on the part of civil authorities

III. Calvin's early work as a Reformer: 1534-41
A. His writings
B. His work in Geneva
C. His period of exile and return

IV. The Reformation and its impact
A. Changes in worship
B. Changes in church life
C. An age of religious conflict

V. Calvin's growing power: 1541-64
A. Conflicts in the city
B. Conflicts with opponents
C. His growing reputation across Europe

VI. John Calvin: an assessment
A. Great qualities
B. Criticisms
C. Assessment

Key names Key dates

John Calvin. 1509-1564 1536: first edition of

Guillaume Farel: 1489-1565 The Institutes of the Christian Religion (Latin)

Martin Luther: 1483-1546 1538-41: Calvin's exile from Geneva

Michael Servetus: 1509/11-1553 1553: execution of Michael Servetus

Maps of Europe in Calvin's Time (Not the Maps from Original Outline, but similar)

Smaller map

Larger map