What Did John Calvin ACTUALLY Believe? The Life and Legacy of John Calvin

John Calvin is a...controversial figure in Christian history. Some call him a debauched drunkard; others insist that his rigid theology left no regard for human dignity or free will. Whether you know his name or not, your theology has actually been influenced by his. So we all need to ask the question: what did John Calvin actually believe?
Based on Michael Horton's Calvin on the Christian Life, this Theology Unbound video explores the life and legacy of John Calvin in an even handed and fresh way. Join us as we seek to uncover the gospel in this man's life. Let's explore!
Links:
/ bibleunbound
www.thebibleunbound.com/
Timestamps:
0:00-0:30 - Subscribe to Theology Unbound
0:30-1:53 - What Did John Calvin Believe?
1:53-2:27 - Calvin on the Christian Life
2:27-5:58 - Christendom
5:58-11:41 - The Life of John Calvin
11:41-19:10 - The Controversy of John Calvin
Print Resources You Can Check Out:
Calvin on the Christian Life - tinyurl.com/3stckudu
The Necessity of Reforming The Church - tinyurl.com/4jk23k5s
The Institutes of the Christian Religion - tinyurl.com/yvbxk9ps
Catechisms of Faith You Can Check Out:
Elbing: gameo.org/index.php?title=Elb...
Catholic: www.usccb.org/sites/default/f...
Heidelberg: www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs...
Web Resources:
calvin.edu/about/history/john...
www.britannica.com/biography/...
totallyhistory.com/john-calvin/
Opening Videos:
The Best Argument Against Calvinism: • The BEST Argument Agai...
What Calvinists Get Wrong About Atonement: • What Calvinists Get WR...

[@BibleUnbound]

Remember that "humility is necessary when discussing topics such as this" - me paraphrasing John Calvin You can also support the channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Bibleunbound

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

Thank you for mentioning his depression. Sometimes I get very depressed and wonder if I’m even saved even thought I’m still praying, reading scripture, and worshiping. I know it’s not about doing works or feeling like your saved, but about faith in Christ. But it’s still hard when that depression hits.

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

Just a reminder (from someone who has mild depression), Elijah also had depression and he was a man of God, called to be a prophet. God uses all types of people!! 😇

[@caseybuckler2385]

Dear Sister, all your joy is found in Christ Jesus and that is exactly why the enemy is trying to convince you otherwise. Depression should be evidence that you belong to God. Why else would the enemy be concerned with attacking you? With our testimony and by the Blood of Christ we defeat the devil. Praise Jesus Christ! If you have been born again through genuine repentance and believed the Gospel, you are saved. Consider the salvation of the thief on the cross, he wasn't even baptized with water or Spirit, but he didn't need to be, he was next to Christ. However, we do need these very important steps in becoming a new creation. I know exactly what I'm talking about. On the day I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit I was healed immediately of a 19 year long heroin addiction. That was 94 months ago and without waiting in faith for over 3 years I would have never shown my faith was sincere. The LORD Jesus Christ will test us and if you stay in His Word you will not be depressed or deceived.

[@voodoo36x]

As both were reformers, it would be interesting to see your take comparing/contrasting the philosophies of Calvin and Martin Luther. Though you hit on it briefly at the beginning of this video, your breakdown would no doubt be excellent. Keep doing great things 🙏

[@jamellfoster6029]

As a Presbyterian Christian, thank you for this presentation on one of our most inspirational foot soldiers. John Calvin and John Knox made a huge impact on my Faith. I was raised a Baptist but upon turning 40, found that my Faith more aligned with the Presbyterian Church. I believe in Predestination... And I am a quiet, thoughtful worshipper.

[@simontemplar3359]

Why do you believe in predestination? If Christ says he has come to forgive the sins of the world and even to have His last words be "it is accomplished," how does that square with Calvin's argument on predestination? Sounds to me like you're following the wrong JC.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

@@simontemplar3359 if all sins are accomplished, why do people go to hell? Adam's 1 sin condemned all humanity without our choice, but Jesus's righteousness only saves those who consent?

[@Dusty-uy3ev]

How do you have predestination and free will

[@winburna2075]

If you want to get into Calvin's mind, read "Institutes of the Christian Religion". It will blow your own mind! You can also check out his commentaries on particular books of the Bible.

[@fernandomarquez3131]

Theology unbound good for you ,and for us.

[@anthonyencarnacion7203]

If you, want to load whatever you want on this channel, I will more than likely give you a thumbs up.. love your content..

[@BibleUnbound]

Thought that was going in a different direction at first 😂

[@SamuelStudio_]

Inspiring🔥📖🙏

[@Rico-Suave_]

Great video, thank you very much , note to self(nts) watched all in it 17:43

[@1Whipperin]

Thank you. Excellent teaching.

[@joemiller8029]

Recently I began reading Calvin's sermons. What a wonderful expositor of the truth that is in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

[@timkooper]

Where to find this?

[@darylasmith]

Amen! May we glorify and enjoy God forever!

[@AuntGrace]

"Love one another intensely from the Heart" 1 Peter 1:22

[@jacquestaulard3088]

Where is the source of the paintings, the film stills, the illustrations? Credit please. Very surprisingly well-done. Some must be modern, but seemingly Renaissance

[@BibleUnbound]

Thank you! - The sources used for the videos are in the ending credits and/or description

[@webstercat]

John Calvin We will see some who are so deranged , not only in religion but in all things, reveal their monstrous nature, that will say the Sun does not move , and it is the Earth that shifts and turns. When we see such minds we indeed need to confess that the Devil possesses them and that God sets them before us as mirrors as to keep us in his fear. John Calvin, “Sermon on 1st Corinthian 10: 19 to 21” Calvin knew this was a lie 🌍

[@Lebone_Bona-fide]

Always lovely to learn more about John Calvin and he has left a legacy. I'm not a Calvinist anymore though but Calvinists are among the most thoughtful people regarding the Scriptures. Is there a video whereby you reveal your stance, Austin? Or do you prefer to keep personal?

[@BibleUnbound]

I don't - these videos attempt to be as unbiased as I can make them

[@MochaZilla]

John calvin was an evil man. He was a murderer and a heretic. He said that God wants us to sin and that God is the originator of sin. These are heretical statements from the pits of hell.

[@st.christopher1155]

Better question is “Who did he believe?” with the answer being the devil, the father of lies. ✝️

[@npcortezjr]

Calvinism came from Gnosticism. John Calvin was a follower of Augustine of Hippo, he was a Manichaean Gnostic…he used a more subtle backdoor means of introducing Gnosticism into Christianity.

[@freddiereagan6705]

Good .

[@BillWalkerWarren]

Pretty cool presentation of Calvin, I do think you should of touched on Calvin’s friendship with Martin Bucer. It was he that showed Calvin the pastoral ropes. He also introduced him to his future wife. Also concerning Servetus he was already a man marked for death . No matter what city he would enter he would have been jailed and executed. He escaped jail when he was to be put to death and showed up in church right under Calvin’s nose in the front row, that was reserved for women and children. The is much more to that whole story. I do like your work here looks cool . Blessings

[@barbaraaspengen9810]

Man made churches sad😢

[@kath976]

I’m Curious, as a Catholic, if you ever read anything on Francis DeSales?

[@colmortimer1066]

What I struggle with most, and why I reject Calvinism, is that predestination idea does not seem to fit with the preaching and community and spreading the Gospel. If we are predestined to be saved, why preach the gospel, they will find it, why try to convert, they will convert themselves. You preach the Gospel in hopes that people will listen and choose Christ. Through God's Grace we are saved, but we have to choose to follow Christ and to put our trust in Him. There were many times in my life where I was faced with the choice to follow God, or to pursue my worldly desires. Early on in my journey I often choose worldly desires, but as I grew in understanding, I started choosing Christ more, putting my faith in Him when I was at my most need, and not trying to do it all alone. Many people do not make the same choices I did, they often choose the world, often it is easier in the short term and more fun. But it is a choice made through our free will, and by preaching the word of God, you give people the tools to make the right choice. But if all is predetermined there is no choice, so it should not matter if you choose the world, and have fun or if you devote yourself to being the best person you can be.

[@BibleUnbound]

Thank you for your thoughtful response!

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

you don't understand predestination or determinism... what you're describing is fatalism we aren't fatalists yet you are trying to paint all Calvinists as fatalists and hyper Calvinists

[@colmortimer1066]

@@jalapeno.tabasco What I am saying is I chose God first. And once I did that He started guiding me towards the truth. I had many options that I could have taken to not choose Christ. I needed help, and could not fully do it without God's grace, but I made the choice to choose Christ. From my study, and many bible passages show that God seems to want everyone to choose Him, and we as Christians need to be loving, and Christ like examples to the world, in hopes they make the right choice as well. Many may not, many like the fun that living a sinful life allows in the short term, but many can be saved by good preaching, by trying to be good and understanding, and teaching that Jesus loves all, if they repent then they will be saved. Calvinism does not preach love, Calvinism says God chose who to love before they were even born, and that nobody will repent unless God predestined them too. That seems awfully prideful for those who think they are the elect. Even if you go back to the old testament you will find even God's first "chosen people" made the wrong choices, if Calvinism was right, they would have all Chose Christ as they were the chosen. The bible makes much more sense when you view it as we have free will and can choose Christ, some love to sin more than they love God, but others are free to chose God over sin, we may not fully conquer it but we should try our best. And Christ will forgive us for when we slip. If you still disagree, and this all has it wrong, show me where. Some people do have different ideas of what Calvinism is, and some are more extreme than others. But show me where I am wrong, if I am just misrepresenting Calvinsm than we should agree on most of what I say but you think what I am saying fits with Calvinism, which would be much better to explain than just being upset that I "misrepresented" Calvinism. I just reject the view, and ideas, and actions most Calvinists show me, They tend to be prideful and arrogant, and not humble and loving, as Christ taught. One of my favorite pastors who I watch 3 or 4 times a week is Matthew Everhard who is a pastor of the PCA. despite being one of my favorite Christian youtubers, his Calvinist stance is about the only thing I disagree with. I also love listening to Voodie Baucham, who is a Reformed Baptist. Just because I reject Calvinism does not mean I ignore it, I just think Calvinists tend to be 90% right. Maybe we should try to focus on where we agree and not always where we differ.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

@@colmortimer1066 >>What I am saying is I chose God first. And once I did that He started guiding me towards the truth.>That seems awfully prideful for those who think they are the elect.>The bible makes much more sense when you view it as we have free will and can choose Christ

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

@@colmortimer1066 >>Even if you go back to the old testament you will find even God's first "chosen people" made the wrong choices, if Calvinism was right, they would have all Chose Christ as they were the chosen.

[@DrDribs]

Are you the brother of pro wrestler Blake Christian?

[@Mike-qt7jp]

Here is absolute Biblical proof that God does NOT cause or determine everything; In Jeremiah 19:5 God says, “They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal-something I did NOT COMMAND or mention, nor did it enter my mind.” 2nd Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is…not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.” and yet, it also has Jesus saying, "Broad is the road that leads to destruction (hell) and many are on it, but straight and narrow is the road that leads to life (Heaven) and few ever find it."

[@kiwibushblock2564]

Why wouldnt that just mean God gave us free will to do what we wanted. Sureley a being who created us out of nothing knows what lies ahead of us ?

[@zebra2346]

That's a great verse, but Calvinists, because they deny Scripture authority, they just gaslight and say, "nah, that's not what the Bible really means"

[@Genesis2091]

The Bible is not for unbelievers, It is for believers to study and learn and grow in their existing faith. If you view scripture from the knowledge of truth, things have a completely opposite meaning. I think that scripture means that he is telling his believers that this was not something he commanded, not a thought or his will, these people were not his people. He did not command them to do this, it was not for or of God, they are sinful, they are lost. It’s an example of people worshiping other Gods which he has commanded we (his believers) not do. Secondly, when God says all, it does not mean every human existing on earth. It means all of his chosen will not perish. It is a reminder of his every lasting hold on his people. That no matter what we go through in our life, we will repent and we will not perish. Thirdly, many are damned to hell, some are saved. “Few will find it” means those who come to know the truth once they are saved. Those saved are not as many as those who are damned. God absolutely determines everything. Nothing is left to chance and no one has the power to do anything outside of his will. Those people burning their children as sacrifices were the result of our fallen sinful nature, but God already knew they would do that before they did it and he is saying he did not command it, it is of sin, therefore, they act in their retched ways. Everything he has done and will do is an example of his mercy, his wrath, our depravity and our need for redemption.

[@CliffCardi]

Virgin Calvin vs Chad Luther

[@pjosip]

He did not execute only Servetus. He overlooked burning of 58 other people.

[@Yoran87935]

Source?

[@KatouMiwa]

T.U.L.P and being born again before faith, ie you're born again so u can believe. was enough for me to see Calvinism as man doctrine , i was Calvinist for 3 years but seeing in the reformation study bible over and over , the twisting of scriptures in the boxes below , really showed me the trickery that can go on without me noticing

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

what you really mean is you thought were a better person than the Bible describes lol and wanting to brag about something....

[@ezmepetersen2503]

Interesting. Your mission is to see people uncover the Gospel yet not one Biblical reference is from the mouth of Jesus, rather you quote Paul who mentions Jesus. I would have thought you'd have used Jesus words, written and found in the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to explain your perspective. To know God you have to read the Book that reveals Him and his Plan for relationship with his greatest creation - Humanity. To know Jesus you have to know what He said and did. To know Paul you have to acknowledge that he was not the only one to encounter the risen Jesus and that by the sound of His voice alone.

[@BibleUnbound]

Check out “Theology Unbound” if you get the chance!

[@ServetusTrumpsCalvin]

Michael (not Mike) Servetus was a genius who was first to describe the circulatory system. He and Calvin had written quite a few letters to each other discussing theology. Servetus did not deny the Trinity, but disagreed with Calvin's explanation of such and the terminology. Calvin made it very clear, before Servetus arrived in Geneva, that if Servetus came to Geneva he would "not leave it alive". This is in conjunction with Calvin's willing subjection to the secular council. When Servetus did show up (God only knows why), he was recognized and arrested, subjected to a sham of a trial, and burned to death. All this with Calvin's approval (although he is credited with stating he would have preferred beheading to burning). Excuse Calvin all you want, but he was a tyrannical, insecure, person who could not suffer any disrespect or disagreement. I could go on, but I will just say that Calvin was knowledgeable, but not Christlike. I also disagree that Ana-Baptists were docetal. The main source of contention was their view that infant baptism was not valid and only a rational person could choose to follow Christ and then be baptized.

[@michaelelam7766]

Having read the anabaptist book and portions of Calvin's institutes, particularly on subjects like predestination and the sovereignty of God, I agree with your assessment of John Calvin here. I do not understand how a person can read the gospel of John, and then read Calvin where he states that God predetermined from the beginning that some should be saved and some should go to hell and be damned, could ever take John Calvin seriously. You might as well rip out the entire gospel of John from the Bible.

[@barbaraaspengen9810]

Jesus never KILLED anyone to believe in him😢

[@FreshSocks89]

Was interested till I heard he ordered a guy to be burned at the stake. Not a very Christian thing to do. Or is it?

[@BibleUnbound]

No kidding. But much of church history is also tragic.

[@williamwagoner7857]

Well if you think about it, preaching heresy is leading people to hell. Do you think it’s worse to kill 1 person or to let that 1 person drag a bunch of people to hell? Definitely a moral dilemma and a different world then.

[@timkooper]

Likely before he knew christ i mean if afterwards hes not credible at all

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

no he didn't, stop lying about him, you clearly haven't researched what truly happened 🙄🙄

[@FreshSocks89]

@@jalapeno.tabasco that’s what was said in the video. Feel free to post what you know

[@nanunutsunl5345]

Jesus loves you and died for you and wants you saved John 3:16 Romans 10:9 Romans6:9

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

does God want everyone in the world to follow His commands perfectly?

[@slavik821]

If Jesus died for everyone why are their people going to hell? Jesus loves first and only those who repent of their sins and put their trust in Him and Him alone for their salvation.

[@Sawyeroh]

Predestination is a lie. What you failed to mention about Calvin’s teaching is that he believes God has already predetermined a very small handful Of people to be saved. If that is the case then the last scripture you used in Roman’s 8 isn’t true. If it were then it would say that many can be separated by the love of God.

[@tommymoore-5376]

If you believe the Bible you can't possibly believe predestination is a lie. The Bible speaks so much of predestination. I'm not saying you have to believe in predestination in the same way John Calvin believes in it. However you have to reconcile the fact that the Bible talks about predestination so much so it can't possibly be a lie

[@Sawyeroh]

@@tommymoore-5376 not in the way that a souls fate is already determined before they are born.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

@@Sawyeroh so God doesn't know the future?

[@Sawyeroh]

@@jalapeno.tabasco he does. that doesn’t mean he hasn’t given us free will.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

@@Sawyeroh define "free will"

[@simontemplar3359]

I am a Lutheran, and I can't get on board with Calvin. His doctrine of predestination and the elect, not to mention limited atonement all puts him outside biblical teachings, IMO. So to me, he will always be a heretic and a harsh and cruel one at that.

[@jalapeno.tabasco]

Calvinism is just Lutheranism taking to it's logical conclusion the fact that God predestines some unconditionally to salvation by default means the rest are predestined by God to damnation not in the same way, but it's still ultimately God who predestines each person to their eternal destination

[@mrnoedahl]

Who cares.