John Calvin

John Calvin
Portrait attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger
Native name	Jean Calvin
Born	Jehan Cauvin (1509-07-10)10 July 1509 Noyon, Picardy, France
Died	27 May 1564(1564-05-27) (aged 54) Geneva, Switzerland
Education	Collège de la Marche (), University of Paris University of Orléans University of Bourges
Occupation	Pastor, author, theologian
Notable work	Institutes of the Christian Religion
Theological work
Tradition or movement	Reformed, Calvinist
Signature

John Calvin (/ˈkælvɪn/;French: Jean Calvin, pronounced: [ʒɑ̃ kalvɛ̃]; born Jehan Cauvin: 10 July 1509 – 27 May 1564) was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism, aspects of which include the doctrines of predestination and of the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation of the human soul from death and eternal damnation, in which doctrines Calvin was influenced by and elaborated upon the Augustinian and other early Christian traditions. Various Congregational, Reformed, and Presbyterian churches, which look to Calvin as the chief expositor of their beliefs, have spread throughout the world.

Calvin was a tireless polemic and apologetic writer who generated much controversy. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition to his seminal Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible, confessional documents, and various other theological treatises.