Lets set the record straight here.
I don't know how many times this issue has come up in the past, and it just keeps getting thrown back up in the face of Calvinists.
For the record, Michael Servetus was preaching heresy. Heresy at the time was punishable by death. Most people here argue that the Bible must be intreperted in light of the times. Same principle here.
First off, Michael Servetus was warned not to come to Geneva, yet he did anyway
knowing full well what would happen if he did.
Secondly, John Calvin was approached by the council at Geneva to be the council of the prosecution. He did not go to them, they came to him.
Thirdly, he was not the prosecuter, his health prevented that. But he did appear in court as a witness against him.
Fourthly, John Calvin may have witnessed aginst him, but the ultimate sentence was decided by the jury.
Fifthly, the council was the one who ultimately passed sentence on Servetus, not John Calvin.
Sixthly, John Calvin pleaded with the council to spare his life, but it was to no avail.
If you get caught stealing, and your convicted of a crime, who do you blame?
The lawyer who tried you? The jury that convicted you? The judge who passed sentence on you?
Or do you blame yourself?
With all the terrorist warnings going out against Americans traveling to Middle Eastern Countries in Europe, if you go and your hotel is bombed, and you lose a loved one, who are you going to blame?
The Hotel? The Government? Or are you going to take responsibility for ignoring the warnings and going anyway?
Last but not least, has anybody took the time to read just exactly what it was Michael Servetus was teaching that got him into so much trouble?
Evidently not.
Strange how people want to defend the person who laid the foundations for Socinian movement and the Unitarians.
God Bless
Till all are one.