Van Oort, Johannes (Hans)2015-11-262015-11-262015-09-28Van 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.v71i3.3059.0259-9422 (print)2072-8050 (online)10.4102/hts.v71i3.3059http://hdl.handle.net/2263/50941John 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.en© 2015. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Patristic element in CalvinCommentary 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 FathersTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle