Bible Roots
Church Fathers & Theologians
Depiction of John Calvin

Reformation & Early Modern Christianity · AD 1500–1700

John Calvin

1509–1564 · Reformed · France / Geneva

A French-born reformer, biblical commentator, and pastor associated especially with Geneva.

Major contributions

Reformed theology, predestination

  • Wrote the Institutes of the Christian Religion and extensive biblical commentaries.
  • Influenced the organization and teaching of Reformed churches.

Theological positions

Modern labels do not always describe historical writers precisely.

  • Reformed

    His theology and ministry helped shape the Reformed tradition.

  • Calvinism

    Institutes III.21–24 discusses election and predestination; Calvinism is a later movement label.

Major writings

  • Institutes of the Christian Religion
  • Biblical commentaries

Sources