Calvin and the Independence of the Church
by Herman A. Speelman
Speelman deals with a central question in the intellectual history of the sixteenth century: to what extent can Calvin be regarded as responsible for the tendency in Calvinism or, more broadly, in Reformed Protestantism, to form a church which has its own ecclesiastical organization and office bearers? To better understand this issue, the text examines the position of the church within the city-state of Bern. Secondly, it directs its attention to the manner in which Calvin gave form to ecclesiastical life in Geneva. Next, it deals with the church in France, and finally, it examines the influence of Calvin and French Calvinism on the organization of the Reformed church in The Netherlands in the 1570s.
Speelman deals with a central question in the intellectual history of the sixteenth century: to what extent can Calvin be regarded as responsible for the tendency in Calvinism or, more broadly, in Reformed Protestantism, to form a church which has its own ecclesiastical organization and office bearers? So far, claiming a great deal of independence for the church has been considered an important aspect of Calvin’s legacy. In this line of reasoning, it is assumed that Calvin was a strong opponent of the church as a state organization that did not have its own governing body and power of excommunication. To better understand this issue, the text examines the position of the church within the city-state of Bern. Secondly, it directs its attention to the manner in which Calvin gave form to ecclesiastical life in Geneva. Next, it deals with the church in France, and finally, it examines the influence of Calvin and French Calvinism on the organization of the Reformed church in The Netherlands in the 1570s.
Preface Afterword Translator's Note Contents General Introduction Chapter 1: 1. The Church in Bern after 1528 2. The Church in Bern after 1532 Concluding remarks Chapter 2: Calvin and the Independence of the Genevan Church 1536-1538 and 1541 Introduction 1. The state of the church between 1536 and 1538 2. The ecclesiastical situation late in 1541 Chapter 3: Calvin and the Independence of the French Calvinist Church from 1559 to early 1562 Introduction 1. The Formation of Local Churches 2. The National Church 3. Political Pleasure Conclusion Chapter 4: "We were right to follow the Genevans": Calvin and the Church in the Netherlands 1572-1578 Introduction 1. Motive and Background 2. The Kerkelijke Wetten (1576) and the Acts of the Synod of 1578 3. Responses to the synod of 1578 Conclusion Chapter 5: 1. Bern and Geneva 2. France and the Netherlands Conclusion Abbreviations Literature Index
- By (author) Herman A. Speelman
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