John Calvin has been given a bum rap.  That’s my conclusion as I read through a 2009 biography of Calvin by Herman J. Selderhuis, a professor of church history and polity at the Theological University of Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.

Among the myths that Selderhuis debunks are that Calvin….

·         …was a somber academic who spent his time expounding dry doctrine.

·         ….had a dark view of the world.

·         ….exercised control through fear.

·         …wanted to standardize the churches under his control.

·         …deliberately planted the seeds of capitalism because of his love for money.

·         …was a fierce doctrinal purist who loathed dialogue with other Christian factions.

·         …insulted listeners with a cold, indifferent preaching style.

·         …exercised control over the civil government as well as the church.

·         …instituted an oppressive “big brother” system which made Geneva a miserable place to live.

·         …limited the role of music in church because he was an enemy of the arts.

·         …approved a death sentence for his own daughter-in-law who was caught in adultery.

·         …disrespected, disliked, and dishonored women.

·         …deserves his reputation as a mentally ill murderer for his single-handed initiative to pursue the heretic Servetus and burn him at the stake.

Perhaps you have heard these false accusations toward Calvin or maybe not.  If you know little about John Calvin, it may actually be due to the success of those who have tried to marginalize him with posthumous censure.

Selderhuis has convinced me, at least, that we need a fresh look at Calvin’s legacy and a deeper appreciation for his positive contributions.  Like all of us, he had insights and blind spots.  By no means does he deserve to be thought of as one of history’s cruel tyrants. 

Calvin had a shepherd’s heart that moved him to work tirelessly at studying and teaching the Scripture.  He wanted Genevans individually and collectively to follow the way of Jesus Christ.  He longed to create the ideal Christian community.  He worked in tandem with church and civic leaders, meaning that he deserves neither all the credit for what went right nor all the blame for what went awry.