Notes on Calvin’s knowledge, use, and misuse of the Church Fathers

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Authors

Van Oort, Johannes (Hans)

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OpenJournals Publishing

Abstract

John Calvin (1509–1564) started his career as a thoroughly trained humanist who possessed, in addition, a thorough knowledge of the Fathers of the Church. This article provides an overview of this particular knowledge. It also focuses on the use Calvin made of the patristic argument in both his instructive and apologetic writings. Some evident cases of Calvin’s misuse of the patres are discussed as well. It is concluded that Calvin’s special patristic knowledge gave his theology its special hallmark and still links authentic Calvinism with the church’s catholic tradition through the ages.

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Patristic element in Calvin, Commentary on Seneca (1532), First Institution (1536), Letter to King Francis I (1535), ‘Praefatio’ to the Neuchâtel Bible (1535), Disputation at Lausanne (1536), John Calvin (1509–1564), Church Fathers

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Citation

Van Oort, J., 2015, ‘Notes on Calvin’s knowledge, use, and misuse of the church fathers', HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 71(3), Art. #3059, 9 pages. http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.4102/hts.v71i3.3059.