And he doesn't look a day over 499 years old!

A friend of mine emailed me: Even people who hate Calvin are beneficiaries of his work. Through much of his ministry in Geneva, Calvin was at odds with the city council over its interference in the consistory. It was a case of the civil authorities wanting to run the church. Calvin resisted and, eventually, when the Libertines finally lost much of their power, won a measure of autonomy for the consistory. This was especially important in matters of discipline. Remember, it was Calvin's and Farel's refusal to give communion to certain people that led to their exile from Geneva and sojourn in Strasbourg. Even though Calvin never came to a view of "separation of church and state," as stated in the Bill of Rights [two hundred years later], that is the battle he fought with the city council.

So, even American pagans who have no use for Christianity have something to thank John Calvin for...

__________________
Richard T. Zuelch, M.Div
Ruling Elder, OPC (not currently serving)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, CA (OPC)
www.alexandermaclaren.wordpress.com
www.reiterations.wordpress.com
www.spurgeonswords.wordpress.com

Devout souls do not take offence at the depths and difficulties of God's Word, but are, thereby, drawn to intenser contemplation of them. - Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910)