Calvin and Society
Calvin was convinced that reform of church and reform of society went hand in hand, that the church was not fundamentally a spiritual entity that was removed from the everyday lives of the people. He was particularly convinced of the Christian duty to care for the poor. Therefore Calvin led the reform of the church in Geneva to address issues such as fair interest on loans, prostitution and ethical behavior in business. At the time of his arrival, Calvin discovered that the sewers in Geneva were open, creating a serious health hazard — especially for the poor. One of Calvin’s proudest achievements was the building of a closed sewer system in Geneva. Because Calvin was convinced that mature faith required understanding, he established the teaching of catechism to the children of Geneva. This quickly became the foundation of universal literacy and education in western culture.
Occasional Papers
When Calvin came to call
John Calvin died in Geneva in 1564, or so historians would have us believe ...
by Christopher Elwood
If John Calvin walked into your church on a Sunday morning, slightly after worship began, taking a spot in one of the back pews, you probably would be more than a little surprised. [Keep reading]
Who, What, When, Where, Why, How Is the Church?
Joseph D. Small
Director, Theology
Worship and Education
What do we mean when we speak the word church? In everyday speech the word evokes a variety of conceptions and images that are maintained kaleidoscopically, with ever-shifting changes in pattern and hue: buildings, people, congregations, organizations, denominations, communions, and more. The situation is only marginally better when the word is used theologically, necessitating qualifiers and alternates to specify what we mean by our use of the word. [Keep Reading]
