It can be difficult for us to grasp life in the medieval church, especially considering the lack of distinction between church and state. For instance, in Calvin’s birthplace of France, citizens were legally required to be Catholic. The church held great power, and any perceived heresy was met with harsh punishment. This was not only enforced by the church but also by the state.

While modern Americans may find this unsettling, it is important to understand the motivations behind such strict measures. In the medieval church, heresy was seen as a spiritual contagion, a threat to the soul that needed to be eradicated. The Bible gives serious warnings against false teaching. Jude exhorts us to contend for the faith while warning of ungodly people who pervert the truth (Jude 3–4). Similarly, Paul warns the church that a little leaven leavens the whole lump (1Co 5:6). These passages influenced the church’s zealous opposition to heresy, as they sought to stop its spread.

This theological conviction was intertwined with political realities. During the Reformation, there was little separation between church and state. Therefore, when Protestants began to challenge the Catholic Church’s authority, the conflict became not only theological but political. The Catholic Church feared that if the Reformation succeeded, the true church could be destroyed. Protestants, in turn, often persecuted those they deemed heretical.

This period was not always black and white. Reformers like John Calvin, though champions of the gospel, had their blind spots. Calvin’s involvement in the execution of Michael Servetus for heresy is a sobering example. While Calvin wanted to see Servetus repent, he also believed that heresy warranted severe punishment. Nevertheless, this was a common belief of his time.

Ultimately, Calvin was a man who sought to contend for the faith and pastor God’s people. Despite his imperfections, he faithfully preached and wrote for the glory of God until his dying day. Let the pastors “boldly dare all things by the word of God” was his challenge, one we can still learn from today.

Recommended reading

The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

Calvin: A Biography by Bernard Cottret

Reformation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Carl Trueman

John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey

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