Abstract

DIEDERICKS, Mornè. The influence of Calvin's personal teaching and education on the Reformation in Geneva. In Skriflig (Online) [online]. 2025, vol.59, n.1, pp.1-9. ISSN 2305-0853.  https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v59i1.3182.

The article examines the influence of John Calvin's education on the Reformation in Geneva during the 16th century. It argues that Calvin's comprehensive training in classical languages, law, and theology was pivotal to his ability to lead and structure the Reformation in Geneva, establishing it as a model city for Protestant reform. Drawing on biographical details and primary sources, including Calvin's writings and correspondence, the study traces key periods of Calvin's education, from his formative years in Paris and legal studies in Orléans to his reforming work in Geneva and Strasbourg. The findings demonstrate that Calvin's academic rigour and humanist outlook, coupled with his legal expertise, laid the foundation for the development of ecclesiastical and civic institutions that solidified Geneva's status as a beacon of Reformation. Furthermore, the article highlights how Calvin's educational philosophy not only shaped ecclesiastical reform but also contributed to broader transformations in education and public life. CONTRIBUTION: Geneva's legacy as a centre of Protestant education, together with Calvin's theological and societal innovations, continues to exert international influence that endures to this day

Keywords : Academy of Geneva; education; Geneva; John Calvin; protestant education; reformation.

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