pastor’s
Note
John Calvin: Geneva as a Godly Community
After seeing Luther’s work in Germany, Calvin realized that, for a reformation to be successful, something more than the acceptance of formularies of faith was needed. He thought that one supreme authority, which would be completely free from State interference and strong enough to assert their power over the State, was necessary. Where could he experiment with his idea and test the theory of his doctrine? Geneva was the perfect opportunity.
On September 13th in 1541, Calvin returned to Geneva. The city council had decided to “beg him wholeheartedly to come and live” in Geneva. All the city magistrates rode out of the Cornavin Gate to welcome Master John Calvin, whom they had expelled from their town
three years earlier.
He hated to return but he could not refuse, as God had willed it. A kind of constitution for the church, “the Ecclesiastical Ordinances” was drawn up and great power with control over the city was given to Calvin. Calvin thoroughly reorganized the church disciplines, and made the whole life of the city subject to the commandments of God.
The Ordinances provided for a fourfold structure of ministry,
with pastors, teachers, elders and deacons.
Calvin also established a disciplinary committee, the Consistory, which oversaw the behavior of all Genevans, defined godliness, and imposed penalties on offenders. Very serious misdeeds could result in excommunication. It controlled morals in Geneva and ensured its Christian purity.
Despite the conflicts and divisions for many years, Calvin’s reformation finally bore much fruit in Geneva. A significant accomplishment in the Genevan Reformation was the founding of the Genevan Academy in 1559, which is the University of Geneva today. It was for the education of all citizens and provided not only liberal arts but also training for ministers and laypeople. The Academy became a kind of mission school for the spread of Calvinism throughout much of Europe. In December 1559, the city council honored Calvin by finally granting him citizenship, the right of bourgeoisie.
* * *
From the past two years of readings and writings on Luther’s and Calvin’s Reformation, I learned that those two great reformers had different interests and focuses. Luther’s Reformation was heavily focused on theology and he thus stood up against the Catholic Church and its theology and practices. On the other hand, Calvin focused more on reorganization of the church structure, disciplines and the morals of the city state, Geneva. Luther left the Church at the mercy of the secular authority, while Calvin charged the Church to collaborate with the State and eventually controlled the State, building an idealistic Christian community.
About 150 years later, John Wesley showed another approach. He stressed the transformation of inner being. Aiming at the reformation of the Anglican Church, he proclaimed the renewal of souls, minds and hearts. In order to spread and share his burning heart, John Wesley visited rural areas and preached in the field or outside of barns on Sunday afternoons. The focus of his message was on the importance of human free will and human response to God’s grace.
These three reformers’ ideas and models make me ponder: What is the main cause of the decline of the church? Is it a matter of theology, or policy (structure) or believers’ spirit?
Then I ask further questions for myself: which would be the most decisive factor for the revival of twenty-first century Christianity?
As I finish my article series, I invite you too to think about the crisis of the church today and your diagnosis and your solution for the revival of the church.
I am convince that reformation is more effective and successful through grassroots movement rather than top-down management. In that sense, members of local churches like you are the most decisive element for changing our community.
That is why I boldly conclude: the revitalization of local churches depends on you and so you are the future of Christianity!
Your Pastor Kyu
After seeing Luther’s work in Germany, Calvin realized that, for a reformation to be successful, something more than the acceptance of formularies of faith was needed. He thought that one supreme authority, which would be completely free from State interference and strong enough to assert their power over the State, was necessary. Where could he experiment with his idea and test the theory of his doctrine? Geneva was the perfect opportunity.
On September 13th in 1541, Calvin returned to Geneva. The city council had decided to “beg him wholeheartedly to come and live” in Geneva. All the city magistrates rode out of the Cornavin Gate to welcome Master John Calvin, whom they had expelled from their town
three years earlier.
He hated to return but he could not refuse, as God had willed it. A kind of constitution for the church, “the Ecclesiastical Ordinances” was drawn up and great power with control over the city was given to Calvin. Calvin thoroughly reorganized the church disciplines, and made the whole life of the city subject to the commandments of God.
The Ordinances provided for a fourfold structure of ministry,
with pastors, teachers, elders and deacons.
- Pastors were in charge of preaching, enforcing all disciplines.
- Teachers instructed to the faithful the true doctrine.
- Elders (or presbyters) looked out for the moral welfare of the community.
- Deacons were given charge of the poor and the sick in Geneva. The distribution of all charity was to be centralized and carefully regulated by the deacons.
- The number of churches were reduced to three parishes, served by ten pastors.
- Home visits by the clergy were mandated.
- On Sunday at noon, all children had to be brought to their parishes for religious instruction.
- Attendance at sermons was required of everyone, and so were punctuality, and attentiveness.
- Arriving late, leaving early, being noisy, or falling asleep were not allowed.
Calvin also established a disciplinary committee, the Consistory, which oversaw the behavior of all Genevans, defined godliness, and imposed penalties on offenders. Very serious misdeeds could result in excommunication. It controlled morals in Geneva and ensured its Christian purity.
Despite the conflicts and divisions for many years, Calvin’s reformation finally bore much fruit in Geneva. A significant accomplishment in the Genevan Reformation was the founding of the Genevan Academy in 1559, which is the University of Geneva today. It was for the education of all citizens and provided not only liberal arts but also training for ministers and laypeople. The Academy became a kind of mission school for the spread of Calvinism throughout much of Europe. In December 1559, the city council honored Calvin by finally granting him citizenship, the right of bourgeoisie.
* * *
From the past two years of readings and writings on Luther’s and Calvin’s Reformation, I learned that those two great reformers had different interests and focuses. Luther’s Reformation was heavily focused on theology and he thus stood up against the Catholic Church and its theology and practices. On the other hand, Calvin focused more on reorganization of the church structure, disciplines and the morals of the city state, Geneva. Luther left the Church at the mercy of the secular authority, while Calvin charged the Church to collaborate with the State and eventually controlled the State, building an idealistic Christian community.
About 150 years later, John Wesley showed another approach. He stressed the transformation of inner being. Aiming at the reformation of the Anglican Church, he proclaimed the renewal of souls, minds and hearts. In order to spread and share his burning heart, John Wesley visited rural areas and preached in the field or outside of barns on Sunday afternoons. The focus of his message was on the importance of human free will and human response to God’s grace.
These three reformers’ ideas and models make me ponder: What is the main cause of the decline of the church? Is it a matter of theology, or policy (structure) or believers’ spirit?
Then I ask further questions for myself: which would be the most decisive factor for the revival of twenty-first century Christianity?
As I finish my article series, I invite you too to think about the crisis of the church today and your diagnosis and your solution for the revival of the church.
I am convince that reformation is more effective and successful through grassroots movement rather than top-down management. In that sense, members of local churches like you are the most decisive element for changing our community.
That is why I boldly conclude: the revitalization of local churches depends on you and so you are the future of Christianity!
Your Pastor Kyu