On this day in history, July 10th, Protestant theologian John Calvin was born in France. 

John Calvin was born twenty-six years after Martin Luther and like Luther, was born in a devout Roman Catholic family and studied to be a priest. However, Calvin changed to studying law at his father’s insistence where he was exposed to the ideas of Renaissance humanism and reform, including the writings of Luther. In 1533, Calvin had a dramatic conversion experience where he experienced a personal spiritual awakening to God through the Spirit. Shortly thereafter, he fully embraced Protestant doctrine and began writing his seminal work: Institutes of the Christian Religion. 

The consecutive works of Luther and Calvin dramatically shaped Western Christianity. Luther’s posting of the Ninety-Five Theses in 1517 sparked the Protestant Reformation and challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Calvin built upon Luther’s reforms to add a systematic theological framework. This generational gap allowed for Luther’s ideas to become established before Calvin’s distinct contributions further matured Protestant theology. 

The timing of their births demonstrates that God determines “the times and places . . . and exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:27). The Lord determined for John Calvin to be born twenty-six years after Luther for a purpose. Calvin’s theological stances on the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, predestination and divine providence continue to significantly shape the beliefs of Christians and the practices of churches today. 

To read more about Luther and Calvin’s Protestant stances I recommend another influential Martin Luther–Martin Luther King Jr.–who wrote an essay for his doctorate in Systematic Theology at Boston University in 1953 titled, “A Comparison and Evaluation of the Theology of Luther with That of Calvin.” His grading professor awarded his essay an A but commented: “awkwardly worded title.” This essay is available through the King Institute at Stanford University.