Jared Moore

John Calvin vs. Martin Luther

Introduction

Timothy George seeks to detail the lives and beliefs of the Reformers in his book Theology of the Reformers. Two of the Reformers he examines are John Calvin and Martin Luther. This paper will seek to critique and examine the clear similarities and differences specifically mentioned by George concerning Calvin and Luther. According to His distinctions between these two men, concerning the essentials of the Reformation, their similarities in life and theology far outweighed their differences.

Similarities in Life and Theology

Unlike Luther, Calvin was born into the church. His father was an administrative assistant for the Bishop of Noyon. His mother also was considered a very pious woman (168). Both these men however studied law, with Calvin graduating, and Luther foregoing finishing law school to become a monk; and eventually a Doctor of Theology. Calvin however was not a novice in the biblical languages, but was not formally theologically trained like Luther.

Though their upbringing and education were similar, their personalities were different. Calvin was shy to the point of being unsociable. Luther however was a man of action; and is described by George as having a “volcano of a personality” (175). In spite of these differences in personality, both Calvin and Luther were reluctant to fight the opposition, but Calvin was more reluctant than Luther. In similar fashion though, both were brought into the fight by the encouragement of those who surrounded them.

With this training in the biblical languages came an emphasis upon the authority of the Scriptures. George indicates that Luther and Calvin both affirmed that the church was born from the womb of the Scriptures, instead of the Scriptures being produced by the church (197). This is one of the main “flags” of the Reformation. The Scriptures alone are authoritative. This was direct rebellion against the current thought and government of the day. It was a capital offense to usurp the absolute authority of the Catholic Church and the pope. These men however sought to please God rather than men.

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