Calvin's Tormentors introduces the individuals and groups who, through their opposition to John Calvin's theology and politics, helped shape the Reformer, his theology, and his historical and religious legacy. Gary Jenkins shows how Calvin had to defend or rethink his theology in light of his tormentors' challenges. The book reveals Calvin as a subtle thinker whose intellectual life wore the marks of the controversies he endured, giving readers a more nuanced view of Calvin's life and thought.  
  
"Jenkins's extensive survey of John Calvin's opponents, both in Geneva and further afield, offers fresh insights into the Reformer's theological outlook in one accessibly written volume. The book fills a noticeable gap in Calvin studies."  
--__Karin Maag__, director, H. Henry Meeter Center for Calvin Studies  
  
"This provocatively titled book represents neither a defense of nor an assault on Calvin. Rather, Jenkins is exceptionally evenhanded in his treatment. He discusses the lives and exploits of those who attacked Calvin and also shows that Calvin frequently brought these attacks on himself. Calvin's Tormentors treats infamous fracases as well as lesser-known ones. Its handling of the Servetus and Bolsec cases in particular is exemplary. Jenkins is a patient, thorough, and insightful scholar, not to mention a beautiful writer. This stimulating read is punctuated with lovely vignettes, pin-sharp detail, and plenty of grist for a graduate seminar or for private reflection."  
--__Jon Balserak__, senior lecturer in early modern religion, University of Bristol  
  
"Calvin's Tormentors is a refined piece of scholarship on what is a rather neglected aspect of the life and work of the Genevan Reformer, namely the nature and character of the voices raised against him and his reform program. Jenkins provides detailed and well-designed studies of Calvin's interactions with du Tillet, Caroli, Sadoleto, Servetus, Castellio, Berthelier, Baudouin, Bolsec, Westphal, and the Italian antitrinitarians. This is a fine historical analysis that provides a significant and often-neglected window on the Genevan Reformation--a work to be welcomed by scholars and students alike."  
--__Richard A. Muller__, senior fellow, Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research; P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology, Emeritus, Calvin Theological Seminary

__Gary W. Jenkins__ (PhD, Rutgers University) is Van Gorden Chair in History at Eastern University in St. David's, Pennsylvania, where he has taught for over twenty years. He is the author of John Jewel and the English National Church and numerous articles.

This book offers a unique approach to Calvin by introducing the individuals and groups who, through their opposition to Calvin's theology and politics, helped shape the Reformer, his theology, and his historical and religious legacy. Respected church historian Gary Jenkins shows how Calvin had to defend or rethink his theology in light of his tormentors' challenges, giving readers a more nuanced view of Calvin's life and thought. The book highlights the central theological ideas of the Swiss Reformation and introduces figures and movements often excluded from standard texts.

Introduces the individuals and groups who, through their opposition to Calvin's theology and politics, helped shape Calvin, his theology, and his historical and religious legacy.

__Contents__ 1. Louis du Tillet and Calvin the Nicodemite: The Fitful Separation  
from the Whore of Babyon's Church  
2. Pierre Caroli and Calvin: Arianism, Sabellianism, and the Heretical Farellistae  
3. Sadoleto: The Erasmian from Rome  
4. Michael Servetus: The Primus Adversarius 5. Sebastian Castellio: Colaboring Admirer to Belligerent Vilifier  
6. Calvin and the Enfants de Genève: Flatulence in a Purely Reformed Church  
7. François Baudouin: An Odyssey of Werewolves and Brothel Keepers  
8. Jerome Bolsec: No Insult or Vicious Defamation Good Enough  
9. Jocahim Westphal: Calvin the Reluctant Zuricher  
10. The Radicals: Italia as More Trouble Than Iberia  
 Matteo Gribaldi: The Origin of Later Radicalism  
 Francisco Stancaro: Turning Calvin into a Tritheist  
 Giorgio Biandrata: The Tritheist Apostle to the Poles (and Valentino Gentili, His Silas)  
 Laelius and Faustus Soccinii: Calvin's Thought Fermenting Conclusion  
Indexes

Jenkins, Gary W.

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Illustrations

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Louis du Tillet and Calvin the Nicodemite

2. Pierre Caroli and Calvin

3. Sadoleto

4. Michael Servetus

5. Sebastian Castellio

6. Calvin and the Enfants de Genève

7. François Baudouin

8. Jerome Bolsec

9. Joachim Westphal

10. The Radicals

Conclusion

Bibliography

Author Index

Subject Index

Back Cover

\["Want a deeper look at John Calvin?","This book examines the forces which made Calvin the man he was to become","You'll find a fascinating history to illuminate your understanding Reformation theology"\]

A look at the struggles which made John Calvin the man who would Change theology forever, this book is in-depth and will illuminate your own Reformation understanding.

Calvin's Tormentors

Navigation Bar

Header Default

Download the Christian360 App to read eBooks and listen to Audiobooks bought at Christian360

Calvin's Tormentors

Description

Need support?

Customer reviews

Download the App

Download the App