History Past and History Present in Calvin’s Reception of Paul

Abstract

This chapter takes up John Calvin’s central biblical authority, the apostle Paul. Because of Paul’s significance for the entirety of Calvin’s reforming program, this chapter broadens the focus from Calvin’s exegesis in order to determine the character of Calvin’s “Paulinism.” The investigation examines Calvin’s access to Paul; Calvin’s reception of Paul in his biblical exegesis (through his treatment Galatians 2 in commentary, sermon, and Bible study); the role of Paul in his reformation agenda (viewed through the program outlined in a 1543 treatise on reforming the church); and, finally, the ways in which Calvin can be considered a “Pauline” theologian (in the development of the Institutes). On the foundation of a historically informed reading of Paul, Calvin built a distinctive program of biblical exegesis, established a reformed church in Geneva, and developed a systematic theology that constituted the only serious rival to that of his mentor in Pauline studies, Philip Melanchthon.