On salvation,what did Calvin teach pertaining to Africans,and other races of people?
It is my understanding that Purtian theology followed Calvin.
How did they view slavery,and the invasion on the native Americans when they came to America?
Paul's commission was to the Gentiles that would seem to include the aforementioned people.
Also there is Phillips teaching the Ethiopian about Christ,as I recall Philip was in Samaria,
When the spirit of God called him to this man.
Did the followers of Calvin consider this event when they interacted with other Ethiopian
People?
Your answers will help embellish my opinion of Calvin.
As far as I can tell, Calvin's Geneva had little contemporary contact with Africa. The references to Africa in the Institutes were to the African Church from the Roman period, where parts of Nothern Africa was part of the Roman Empire, and the African Church had well-known theologians such as Augustine. His commentary on Acts 8:27 doesn't speak of race. He treats Ethiopia as an Eastern nation, with customs related to other Eastern nations.
Slavery is a complex issue, on which I'm not an expert. Based on the Wikipedia article, it was practiced throughout history, and was typically not a racial issue. Even within Africa it was not, as Africans made slaves of each other, just as white civilizations made slaves of each other.
My impression is that Christianity didn't really speak much of race, until it became an issue as consequence of slavery. It appears that there were black slaves in Europe during Calvin's time, but I don't believe the practice was visible enough to have been an issue for him. You can find an association between slavery and race in Aristotle, but I don't think racism was a major issue until later. Wikpedia finds something like 19th Cent racisim among 14th Cent Arabs, but by the Reformation you see various types of racism in Europe. But I'm not aware of it being an issue in Calvin's area.
However there was an issue with the Puritans, involving both Africans and Native Americans. For a glimpse of the issue, see this review:
A Review of “Race and Redemption in Puritan New England” by Richard A. Bailey – Pastor Dave Online. For more information see
Robin's Readings and Reflections: Were the Puritans Racist? and the references there. I don't get the impression that their racism came from Calvin. If the blogs I refer to are right, it developed out of their experience with Native Americans and black slavery.
During the Civil War period you'll find Calvinists on both sides of the conflict. Indeed the Presbyterian Church split over it.
