1. John Calvin & the Calvinist (Presbyterian/Reformed) Church
The History & Beliefs of the Calvinist Church

2. Jean Cauvin /John Calvin 1509 - 1564
Calvin, born in France, but living in exile in Geneva, Switzerland, is one of the major reformers of the Christian Church.
His influence extends to the Calvinist, Presbyterian and Reformed Churches.

3. John Calvin’s Early Life
Jean Cauvin was born in Noyon, in the Picardie region, in the north of France.
His father was a lawyer and sent him to study law too.
In 1532 he received a doctorate in law from the University of Orléans
He spent time with people who tried to understand life from a logical viewpoint
This lead him to see that the Roman Catholic Church’s teachings differed in some ways from the bible
His name in English is John Calvin

4. Escape
Because of Calvin’s views regarding the Roman Catholic Church he had to flee France
He first moved to Basel, Switzerland
After spending some time in Italy and again in Paris he had to leave for Geneva, Switzerland in order to escape persecution for his religious writings and disagreements with the Roman Catholic Church
In Geneva he met William Farel, with whom he worked for two years. They agreed on many religious ideas

5. Strasbourg and then Geneva
John Calvin left Geneva after a disagreement with the City Council and was invited to Strasbourg where he worked as a pastor
After three years he was invited back to Geneva where he continued to write and to work towards reformation of the Church
The main focus of his faith was the Doctrine of Predestination which states that God has already decided who will go to Heaven and that there is nothing one can do to change that

6. Life in Calvinist Geneva
Spiritual Life
Calvin preached 20 times a week
He wrote the Catechism of the Genevan Church
He also updated his Institutes of Christian Religion which outlined his beliefs
He sent ministers to France to teach his beliefs in his native land
Life in Geneva
The city become a Theocracy, a place where all law was based on religion
It is said there were no musical instruments in the city for two years
People began to rebel against the hardship the theocracy caused

7. John Calvin’s Later Life
Marriage
He married a widow, Idette de Bure, who had two children from her first marriage
Idette was Belgian
They had no surviving children of their own
Idette died nine years later after a long illness.
Influence on Britain
Geneva became a place of refuge for reformers escaping Catholic Mary Queen of Scots
Calvin was able to influence them, especially John Knox
Knox took what he had learned back to Scotland
This was the start of Presbyterianism

8. Calvinism/Reformed Church
Although many people influenced Calvin’s thoughts and teachings, especially Zwingli (from Zurich), Bullinger and Bucer the church became known as Calvinist
In North America it is known as Reformed
The Reformed Church teaches
Predestination
The only way to know God is to read the bible
It is only by faith that people are saved for Heaven
Statues and images of God and others leads to idol worship

9. Summary of Calvinist Teaching (TULIP)
Calvinism is often identified with the "five points of the doctrines of grace", remembered by the English acronym: TULIP.
Total Depravity -All men are guilty in God's sight, and undeserving of life
Unconditional Election/Choice -God's choice from eternity, of who he will bring to himself, is not based on foreseen virtue, merit or faith in the persons he chooses but rather, is unconditionally grounded in his own mercy
Limited Atonement -meaning that, Christ's death actually takes away the penalty of sins committed by those upon whom God has chosen to have mercy. It is "limited" then, to taking away the sins of the elect
Irresistible Grace -The saving grace of God is not resistible. Rather, willingness and ability to do God's will, are evidence of God's faithfulness to save men from the power and the penalty of sin
Perseverance of the Saints -Those whom God has called into communion with Himself through Christ, will continue in faith and will increase in faith and other gifts, until the end (Adapted from

10. Calvinism in Ireland
In 1610, as a result of the Ulster Plantation, Calvinism, in the form of Scottish Presbyterianism, arrived in Ireland
There are between 240,000 and 300,000 in Ireland of whom 22,000 live in the Republic (Census a slight fall since 2011)
The head-office of the Church is in Belfast
There are 550 congregations across Ireland
Ian Paisley was a famous Irish Presbyterian
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