Genevan, Reformation Bump!
In Christ the Holy Spirit is always conjoined to the Word, for "there is a permanent relation between faith and the Word." -- John Calvin 3.2.6.
Ditto!
These were steps back to the faith of Christ and the Apostles. Nothing new. And they were a lot more than simple disgust at indulgences and ornate cathedrals.
A LOT MORE!
"...The Reformation was the greatest religious movement for Christ since the early church. It was a revival of Biblical and New Testament theology...."
And a saving grace for all those souls who needed to get as far away from Rome -and the suffusion of God in their myriad superstitious accretions- as they could
It's snowing here to beat the band, and it's Godly and Majestic. Just beautiful! The first snow storm (though this technically isn't a storm) really makes me feel like a kid again. I just love it!
Let me see if I have the sequence of events straight:
1. Calvin believed Catholic Marian beliefs including Mary's perpetual virginity.
2. Calvin broke from the Catholic Church.
3. Others followed Calvin and became Calvinists.
4. Calvin continued to preach about his Marian beliefs including perpetual virginity. In fact, he never altered these beliefs.
5. At some undetermined later date, Calvinists began to question Calvin's Marian beliefs and rejected them.
So, when you say that Calvinists "needed to get as far away from Rome -and the suffusion of God in their myriad superstitious accretions- as they could," you're not really being accurate. These people had already left the Catholic Church, the Calvinists who rejected Calvin's Marian beliefs centuries later had probably never been Catholics in the first place. By rejecting Calvin's Marian beliefs, it was Calvin they were leaving, not Rome.
Amen!
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word" -- Psalms 148:3-8"Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.