Lesson 3
John Calvin, the Reformation in Geneva and the Beginnings of the Reformation in France
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8. Calvin’s final years

In the year 1549, Calvin’s wife died. The marriage also resulted in a son, who died however shortly after birth.

In the year 1559, Calvin founded the Academy in Geneva, with three chairs: Greek, Hebrew and Philosophy. The Academy was the place of education for many theologians, who had joined the Reformation and then became Reformers of their countries. The effect can in no way be overestimated. John Knox from Scotland, for example, studied in Geneva along with many others from a wide range of countries. The Academy could be regarded as the culmination of Calvin’s work. It was here that interpretation of Scripture, as the central interest of Calvin, began to be carried out in a structured way.

In the same year, the last revision of the Institutes appeared. It is now a thick textbook in four books and 24 chapters and is among the greatest dogmatic works of Protestant theology.
Probably as a result of excessive diligence in his life, Calvin, who had lived through an abundance of illnesses, grew weaker and weaker. On 2nd February 1564, he held his last lecture in the Academy and on the 6th February his last sermon. On 27th May 1564, Calvin died in Geneva. He was buried on 28th May without pomp, and at his wish his grave received no gravestone. So no-one knows anymore exactly where Calvin is buried. In his farewell speech of 28th February 1564, Calvin says in retrospect:

“I have had many weaknesses, which you had to bear, and all that I have done is itself at base worth nothing. Wicked men will no doubt exploit this statement. Thus I repeat once more that all my activity is worth nothing and that I am a wretched creature. I can, to be sure, say of myself that I have intended good, that my mistakes have always displeased me and the fear of God has taken root in my heart. You can confirm that my efforts have been good. Therefore I ask you to forgive me my wickedness. However, if there has been anything good, keep to it and follow it!”

Calvin was originally from France and his whole life was oriented towards France. He wanted to strengthen the communities in France which were suffering under persecution. To serve them was his great life’s goal. He succeeded in uniting the Reformed churches through a common doctrine and through The Church Constitution. He died too early, however, to assist the French communities in the later religious wars.
His correspondence with the whole of Europe is impressive – roughly 2000 letters have been preserved. These include letters on political leading personalities just as much as on other Reformers inside and outside the Swiss Confederation. Many letters deal with the situation of the Protestants in France, but go also beyond that. Besides this, however, there are also a whole lot of letters which portray Calvin as a pastoral carer, who is able to give simple community members helpful and beneficial advice in their questions regarding faith and life.