John Calvin A Pilgrim's Life Analysis

In Herman J. Selderhuis’ book John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life, Selderhuis looked at Calvin in a neutral way. He said, “I feel nothing for Calvin either way but is fascinated by him as a person (8).” Selderhuis used Calvin’s own letter in writing this book. “Calvin himself believed that we learn most about people from their letters (8).” People thought Calvin was a man without much emotion, but the letters showed a man with a heart. The chapters in the book show Calvin’s life in chronological order from Orphan, Pilgrim, Stranger and so on until Soldier, the ending of his life. In the introduction, Calvin gave his views on life and God. He said, “life is a steeplechase: there are dangers everywhere and God himself, who has put most of the obstacles in our way, watches to see whether we make it over them (7).” Calvin did not look at life as fun and games. Many of his followers looked at life as work and should not have any fun. Selderhuis described Calvin as a watchdog and a person who did God’s will. Selderhuis argued, “Calvin took it upon himself to keep God beyond humanity’s reach, and yet at the same time make him the full concern of humanity (22).”
Herman J. Selderhuis is a professor of church history and church policy at the Theological University. He is the directory of Refo500, the international platform on projects relating to the Sixteenth …show more content…
The first misconception was Calvin refusing to compromise. “While Calvin behaved in such a ridging manner against Catholicism of his time, Calvin tended to promote unity within Protestantism. This was manifest in his critique against Luther’s resolute commitment to his doctrine of the Lord’s Supper which according to Calvin, hindered Christian unity.” While Calvin’s idea of ecclesial unity is doctrinal he truly chose his battles closely. For example, his animosity with Bolsec was his public resistance Calvin’s doctrine of