Posted on 05/09/2007 1:08:47 PM PDT by topcat54
Dateline Paris, 1534.
© Paris News Service
By Guy LaFontaine
Jean Calvin, 25, of Noyon, a leading scholar of the classics and law student in the University of Paris, has reportedly converted to the evangelical cause. A classicist with a bright future before him, Calvin published a promising work on Seneca's On Clemency just two years ago.
That future has become considerably cloudier of late. Sources tell us that it was likely young Calvin who wrote the provocative sermon given by Nicholas Cop, rector of the University. Since the so-called Affair of the Placards (during which one of the Protestant radicals actually posted a placard on the chamber door of his Majesty!) the authorities are cracking down on the movement and the evangelicals have scattered. Calvin may be living under an assumed name. There are some unconfirmed reports that he has left Paris and may be heading to Basle, a known haven for the Protestant rebels. When contacted, some of the other so-called "humanistas," led by the Dutch scholar Erasmus and Jacques LeFevre d'Etaples, are reported to have rejected the new movement as too radical. Erasmus expressed the strongest measure of disappointment saying, "It seems that another son of the church has been persuaded by Luther's De servo (On the Bondage of the Will). I had hoped to moderate that movement but I guess it isn't happening." LeFevre was less critical saying only, "Calvin is a bright young man. I have high hopes for him."
Calvin has apparently joined the so-called Protestant movement begun about 13 years ago at Worms by the German monk Luther. Most of the theology faculty in the University reckon that this movement will be short-lived. Said one of the theologians, "We'll crush these people just as we did the Cathars. Why do you think we have an inquisition?" The press office of the Holy See said that they were aware of a disturbance in Paris but had little information about Calvin. Students in the University, however, are said to be excited by the news. Said one of them, "He could be a pain. We call him 'The Accusative Case' because he always has his nose in a book. He's always so serious, but If you need help with a translation, he's definitely the 'go-to' guy. He was really wound up about the new theology. I saw him talking to several groups of students about Luther. I hate to see him go. He's a little uptight, but he's a good guy."
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Everyone should be comfortable in his religion.
I give this man tons of credit for changing his religion instead of trying to change the religion to suit him, as so many do.
God Bless him on his journey!
His journey ended 343 years ago.
God Bless him on his journey!
****************
Netmilsmom, I couldn't agree more.
>>His journey ended 343 years ago.<<
Ooops!
Well I guess he found his way!
(netmilsmom walks away, shaking her head and feeling like a dork!)
Thanks!
I guess this was a few years ago. ;-).
read later
LOL! I missed it as well. :)
This could have been good for some laughs if we didn't know that. "Give the youngster some time, see if he makes a name for himself" - that sort of thing.
You’re right. It might be worth starting over. I’d probably make the same mistake again. :)
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but to lose his soul?”
A 25 year-old French law student?
I will say I found it to be a dubious headline.
His cultural contributions, which we enjoy today, include public education and the productivity of money in a free market. Economists have praised his contributions.
His theology was embraced by the Puritans and brought to America by the Pilgrims. Calvinsim dominated in New England in Colonial times.
It was the great Calvinist evangelist Jonathan Edwards, a plain man who is reputed to have delivered his sermons in a monotone, that God used mightily to spark the Great Awakening, turning many to God in tearful repentance. The fruits of that very sweet outpouring of God's Spirit remained with the Colonies for many years, arguably (albeit in a very small remnant) to the present day.
Yes, he is. Even I know who he was.
Maybe there will still be some quick-to-hit-the-Post-button folks that could provide some mild humor.
Cute. Except that Calvin wasn’t a Catholic scholar. Also, I noticed there was nothing about his rumored gay trist in Noyon. Hmmmm... I am sure if there was such a rumor about Beckwith it would have been brought up.
Remember, it was just rumor!
Oops, my mistake. I should have said, Calvin wasn’t a scholar of Catholicism. My mistake.
But wait, he should have been called a “Roman Catholic” either though since no such phrase really existed at that time.
This Catholic prays that he may serve Christ with all His heart and be a soldier of the Gospel.
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