The Reason Files
  • Home
  • About
  • The Gospel
    • The Gospel Blog
  • Blog
    • Christian Persecution in America
  • Encyclopedia
  • Extras!
    • Free Downloads
    • Meme Gallery >
      • Meme Gallery Page 2
      • Meme Gallery Page 3
    • Links

The John Calvin - Michael Servetus Incident

8/26/2017

10 Comments

 
Picture
There are those who are fully and completely convinced that John Calvin was a blood thirsty murderer who killed numerous people. One popular anti-Calvin meme reads, “Murderer/Heretic JOHN CALVIN stated the following about killing Michael Servetus, 'If he [Servetus] comes [to Geneva], I shall never let him go out alive if MY authority has weight.' Do NOT allow anyone to deceive you! It was JOHN CALVIN who was behind the heinous, cruel and NON_Christian act of burning Servetus to death at the stake with GREEN WOOD! Most people don't have a heart to burn a dog at the stake much less a person, but John Calvin's HEART was much different!” (Dan Corner, evangelical outreach website/eternal life blog) Others refer to Calvin as the “Tyrannical Protestant Pope,” and “serial killer.” I will not give another inch of space relating the outrageous things these people spew about John Calvin, but suffice to say, they hate him, they hate his teachings, and they hate anyone who aligns him or herself with Calvinism and/or Reformed Theology. This, of course, begs the question, why? Why all that hate?


If I had to hazard a guess based on the things they say and write, I would say their hate is based on their inability to accept the Reformed teachings such as predestination, eternal security, the Calvinist TULIP, and the Doctrines of Grace. Since they cannot accept these doctrines, and cannot refute them biblically, they instead turn to Calvin himself and do their best to vilify him. Presumably, they believe that by vilifying Calvin, they are automatically refuting everything he taught.


The primary tool used by the anti-Calvinist crowd to vilify Calvin, is the execution of Michael Servetus in 1553. Servetus was a Spanish theologian and physician whose theology can best be described as a smorgasbord of heresy. In examining his writings, it becomes clear that Servetus embraced some Arianism, Sabellianism, Humanism, Monophysitism, Panentheism, Unitarianism, Dualism, and Gnosticism. Although he didn't subscribe fully to each of these heresies, he did hold to aspects of them. The culmination of his heretical beliefs, however, was his denial of the biblical Trinity, the virgin birth, and the Deity of Jesus Christ; and these served to embroil Servetus in what became a deadly controversy.


Although many believe that Servetus was simply an innocent man who happened to disagree with Calvin and paid the ultimate price for his refusal to accept Calvinism; history refutes this belief. Servetus had been publishing his beliefs for some time before the Roman Catholic church decided to stop him. In 1552 he was arrested by the Roman Catholic church, and sentenced to death for his heretical teachings. This was during the Spanish Inquisition. Before he could executed, however, Servetus escaped, and began to travel through Europe. The French Inquisition also tried him for heresy and sentenced him to death, but were forced to burn him in effigy due to his escape from prison in Vienna.


It is important to remember the time period in which all of this took place. The Roman Catholic church not only exerted great influential power throughout much the known world, but actually ruled in many parts of it. This was also during the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, and there were some areas which were ruled according to Protestant beliefs. Such was the case in Geneva, Switzerland, where Servetus eventually turned up.


Although Servetus had not planned to stay in Geneva, and was on his way to Italy, while in Geneva he was recognized and arrested on August 13, 1553. There is speculation that it was Calvin himself who recognized Servetus and requested he be arrested. Whether or not this is true, I do not know; however, if true, Calvin had good reason to have Servetus arrested, as the man posed a significant threat to the spiritual well-being of Calvin's flock, particularly those who were not well versed in biblical theology, were immature in their faith, and susceptible to the heresies taught by false teachers such as Michael Servetus.


A week after his arrest, the authorities wrote to Vienna asking for information on the charges against Servetus. The response of the Viennese authorities was to demand he be extradited back to Vienna for execution. The Genevan city council gave Servetus a choice: either stay in Geneva and face trial, or be sent back to Vienna and face execution. Although Servetus was well aware that Calvin was in Geneva, he was also aware Calvin held no political power there, and that the city council was full of Calvin's enemies. Therefore, thinking there was a possibility of exoneration, Servetus begged to stay in Geneva.


Contrary to the conspiratorial beliefs held by the anti-Calvin people, John Calvin did not rule over Geneva during this period. The only place where he might have been able to exert any influence was in the Church Consistory. However, in the case of Michael Servetus, the Consistory was completely bypassed, and the case went straight to the Council of the 200, a governing City Council comprised of 200 Genevan citizens. It would have been impossible for Calvin to have any influence in this Council, as he was not a citizen of Geneva, and would not be for another six years. Additionally, those on the Council were, by and large, opposed to Calvin and his teachings. He had no influence on the Council, he had no authority in Geneva to arrest, torture or execute anyone, much less Michael Servetus. The Genevan authorities had effectively prevented Calvin and his followers from exerting any influence on the case.


During his trial, Servetus did not offer much of a defense, and instead chose to use his time reviling Calvin, probably because the majority of the Council were Calvin's enemies, and Servetus likely thought he actions would put him in their good graces. John Calvin's only real role in the entire case, was to appear as an expert witness for the state, to provide testimony of Servetus' heresy. This he did.


Once it was clear that Servetus was a heretic, the Genevan council realized the only two choices they had were to either banish him or execute him. Swiss law at the time allowed for execution in cases of heresy, and the Genevan authorities wrote to the councils in Berne, Zurich, Schaffhausen and Basle, asking for their advice in the Servetus matter. Each one of them wrote back advising Servetus be executed. To the Genevan Council, their decision became clear to them, and they chose to execute him by burning him at the stake. It is known that Calvin visited Servetus in prison, praying for him, praying with him, and pleading with Servetus to renounce his heresy and thus save his life. Servetus refused. He believed that he was an emissary of the Christ, and that he was to usher in the return of Christ within the next 20 or 30 years. Because of these beliefs, Servetus believed he would not be executed. When it became clear that he was going to die, Calvin pleaded with the authorities to employ a more humane and virtually painless method of execution – beheading – rather than being burned alive. The authorities refused, and Servetus was burned alive at the stake on October 26, 1553.


Myths Surrounding the Servetus Incident


Myth #1: John Calvin was a cold-blooded murderer who executed dozens and dozens of people during his tyrannical reign in Geneva.
Fact: Michael Servetus was executed by the Genevan authorities, and Calvin had no influence over their decision to do so. Furthermore, Servetus was the only individual put to death for heresy in Geneva during Calvin's lifetime. It should also be remembered that Calvin was not even a citizen of Geneva when Servetus was executed, and therefore had no legal right to even hold public office, nor even pastor a church unless there were no Genevan's with the expertise to hold a pastorship. It is also important to note that Servetus himself not only believe heretics should be executed, but actively called for the execution of John Calvin.


Myth #2: Calvin wrote a letter claiming responsibility for Servetus' death.
Fact: John Calvin wrote a letter to William Farel, dated February 13, 1546, wherein he wrote, “Servetus wrote to me a short time ago, and sent a huge volume of his dreamings and pompous triflings with his letter. I was to find among them wonderful things, and such as I had never before seen; and if I wished, he would himself come. But I am by no means inclined to be responsible for him; and if he come, I will never allow him, supposing my influence worth anything, to depart alive.” A poor choice of words to be sure, but hardly a confession of guilt. Furthermore, Calvin knew he had no influence over the Council, and he knew that only the Council had the authority to put someone to death. The letter Calvin received from Servetus was little more than Servetus mocking and reviling Calvin. Therefore, Calvin's statements can best be understood as a frustrated and angry man lashing out against someone who has wronged him.


Myth #3: Calvin wanted Servetus dead, and watched the execution with a sinister smile on his face.
Fact: There is no evidence whatsoever that Calvin attended Servetus' execution. Furthermore, it is well known that Calvin visited Servetus in prison, prayed for him, prayed with him, and begged Servetus to recant and thus be saved. Hardly the actions of someone wanted Servetus dead.


Myth #4: Calvin was a tyrant who ruled Geneva with an iron fist.
Fact: Calvin was not even a resident of Geneva, and as a legal alien in the city, he was prohibited from holding any legal office. Furthermore, the City Council was largely opposed to Calvin, and remained so until his death. In 1538, Calvin was asked to leave Geneva, and he happily did so, moving to Strasbourg where he pastored a church there until 1541. At that time Geneva called him back to pastor the Genevan church that had been experiencing some problems. Calvin returned, but reluctantly so. He was hardly a tyrant, and he never ruled in Geneva or anywhere else.


Myth #5: Calvin executed dozens and dozens of people who disagreed with him.
Fact: Michael Servetus was the only person executed for heresy in Geneva during Calvin's lifetime, and he was executed by the Genevan Council, not by John Calvin.




Recommended reading:


“Was Geneva a Theocracy?” by Michael Horton
http://www.the-highway.com/theocracy_Horton.html


“John Calvin’s Geneva” by W. J. Grier
https://www.monergism.com/john-calvins-geneva


“Theology of Michael Servetus” by Christopher W. Myers
https://soundfaith.com/sermons/78201-theology-of-michael-servetus


“Calvin vs. Servetus” by J. Steven Wilkins
http://reformed-theology.org/html/issue02/c_vs_s.htm


Schaff's Church History (Good background on the incident)
http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/history/8_ch13.htm


Schaff's chapter on Servetus
http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/history/8_ch16.htm



10 Comments
    Picture

    Archives

    July 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    2 Corinthians 6:14-18
    5 Solas
    95 Theses
    Aaron Thompson
    Abuse
    Agnosticism
    Alistair Begg
    Amber Guyger
    A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
    Angelic Revelations
    Angels
    Anne Graham Lotz
    An Open Letter To My Family And Friends
    Antinomianism
    Antiochian Orthodox
    Apocrypha
    Apologetics
    Apostasy
    Archibald Brown
    Armianism
    Arminian
    Atheism
    Atheist Arguments
    A.W. Pink
    Benjamin Knight
    Benjamin Naim
    Ben The Baptist
    Bethel Music
    Bible
    Bible Believer's Baptist Church
    Bible Contradictions
    Biblical Archaeology
    Biblical Interpretation
    Blasphemy
    Book Of Life
    Botham Jean
    Brandt Jean
    Calvinism
    Cannibalism
    Causa Finitum
    Challenge For Christians
    Charles Haddon Spurgeon
    Christianity
    Christian Life
    Christian Living
    Christian Love
    Church
    Church Of Almighty God
    Contemporary Christian Music
    Covid
    Covid 19
    Creeds
    Cults
    Death By Atheism
    Death By War
    Decisional Regeneration
    Denialism
    Dennis Grutzmacher
    Doctrines Of Demons
    Doctrines Of Grace
    Donald Trump
    Double Imputation
    Doubting
    Easter
    Eastern Lightning
    Edmund Sears
    Election 2016
    Elevation Music
    Ephesians 2:8 9
    Ephesians 2:8-9
    Erin M Harding
    Evangelizing
    Fall Of America
    False Christianity
    False Christians
    False Teachers
    Fatima
    FBQ's
    Fellowship With God
    Five Solas
    Free Ebook
    Friday Night Lectures
    Gaslighting
    Gay
    Genocide
    Gospel
    Hell
    Heresy
    Hermeneutics
    Hillsong Music
    Holiness
    Homosexual
    Homosexuality
    Hymns
    Idolatry
    Imputation
    Insanity
    Irresistible Grace
    Islam
    I Support Abuse Survivors
    Jackie Hill Perry
    James E Adams
    JC Ryle
    Jesus Culture
    John Calvin
    John MacArthur
    Jonathan Edwards
    Josh Buice
    Joshua Chavez
    Joy Reid
    Judging
    Julie Roys
    Justification
    Kenosis
    Kenotic
    Know Your Heresies
    Latter-Day Saints
    LDS Church
    Lesbian
    LGBT
    Liberalism
    Ligioner Ministries
    Ligonier Articles
    Limited Atonement
    Mark Batterson
    Martin Luther
    Martyn Lloyd-Jones
    Mary Worship
    Me Too
    Michael Servetus
    Mike Ratliff
    Monergism
    Moral Relativism
    Mormonism
    Mormons
    Mysticism
    Nancy Demoss Wogemuth
    Nauman Masih
    New IFB
    Old Testament
    Original Sin
    Persecution
    Perseverance Of The Saints
    Philadelphia Church Of God
    Pinecreek Doug
    Politics
    Pope Francis
    Prayer Circles
    Presidential Election
    Protestant
    Protestantism
    Pseudo-Christian
    Pseudo Christianity
    Pseudo-Christianity
    Race
    Racialism
    Racism
    Ravi Zacharias
    Reformation
    Reformation Day
    Reformed Theology
    Refuting The Bible
    Regeneration
    Religious Expression
    Religious Freedom Restoration Act
    Religious Pluralism
    Religious Wars
    Responding To Atheist Arguments
    Resurrection
    Resurrection Of Jesus
    Revoice
    Revoice Conference
    RFRA
    Roman Catholic
    Roman Catholic Church
    Roman Catholicism
    Romans 1 28 To 32
    Salvation
    Same Sex Marriage
    Saturday Night Movies
    Scripture Twisting
    Servus Christi
    Sin
    Southern Gospel
    Sovereignty Of God
    Steven Anderson
    Steven Furtick
    Sunday Morning Sermons
    Sure Foundation Baptist Church
    Swedenborgianism
    Synergism
    The Bible
    The Cathedrals
    The Christian Creed
    The Heart
    Theology
    The Trinity
    Ticky Tok Toddy Harding
    Todd Ferguson
    Tolerance
    Tom Ascol
    Tom Buck
    Total Depravity
    Traits Of A Debased Mind
    Trinity
    True Christianity
    True Christians
    TULIP
    Unconditional Election
    Unitarianism
    United Methodist Church
    Vaccine
    Voting
    Waldens
    Website Updates
    What Is A Christian
    What's The Difference
    Wheat And Tares
    William Lane Craig
    Wolf Alert
    Women Pastors


    Click here to read about the Persecution of Christians in America.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.