John Calvin's Views On Mary

John Calvin's Views On Mary

John Calvin (1509–1564) was a French-born Protestant theologian during the Protestant Reformation, and, next to Martin Luther one of the most influential reformers. He was a central figure for the Reformed churches, whose theological system is sometimes called Calvinism. By background he was a gifted organizer, statesman, theologian and lawyer.

In Geneva, his ministry both attracted other Protestant refugees and over time made that city a major force in the spread of Reformed theology. He self-consciously tried to mold his thinking along biblical lines, and he labored to preach and teach what he believed the Bible taught, especially, in contrast to his view of current Roman Catholic doctrine, that salvation depends exclusively on Jesus Christ. This theological theme influences the mariological positions of Calvin.

Calvin shows a decidedly positive view of Mary, and he did not hold to a number of the Protestant views on her that became common after the Reformation.