Something You Need to Know

[Easystreet]

"In 1541 the reforming forces again gained control in Geneva and Calvin was invited back there. That same year he had the Ecclesiastical Ordinances promulgated. This outlined the activities of the four classes of office bearers in the Church. It provided for an association of pastors to administer discipline, a group of teachers to teach doctrine, a group of deacons to administer the work of charity and, most important of all, the consistory, composed of six ministers and twelve elders, to supervise the theology and morals of the community and to punish when necessary the wayward members of the Church by excommunication. In order to set up an effective system Calvin used the state to inflect more severe penalties. (bold red emphasis mine)


Such penalties proved to be much too sever ,fifty-eight being executed and seventy six exiled by 1546."​

Source

"Christianity Through The Centuries" by Cairns and Published by Zondervan, Copy right 54, and 57
page 342

If He lived today would he be tried for Murder?

 

[Shyguyelite]

"In 1541 the reforming forces again gained control in Geneva and Calvin was invited back there. That same year he had the Ecclesiastical Ordinances promulgated. This outlined the activities of the four classes of office bearers in the Church. It provided for an association of pastors to administer discipline, a group of teachers to teach doctrine, a group of deacons to administer the work of charity and, most important of all, the consistory, composed of six ministers and twelve elders, to supervise the theology and morals of the community and to punish when necessary the wayward members of the Church by excommunication. In order to set up an effective system Calvin used the state to inflect more severe penalties. (bold red emphasis mine)


Such penalties proved to be much too sever ,fifty-eight being executed and seventy six exiled by 1546."​

Source

"Christianity Through The Centuries" by Cairns and Published by Zondervan, Copy right 54, and 57
page 342

If He lived today would he be tried for Murder?

Hmm... I'll run on an assumption that Calvin set up rules, laws, regarding punishments. So no, I doubt it. This seems to portray Calvin as a politician or policy maker, and they usually aren't charged with crimes if their policies fail.

That is what I think at least. I'm trying to draw parallel's to various situations today. I keep running into a block that says laws are passed today by the approval of more than one person. At least on paper, so one man can't be blamed... at least on paper.

Calvin 'used the state to inflict more severe penalities'. When I hear that, I think of a pastor using existing laws to control a church, and have people executed. If he lived today, I gather that people would find the punishment would exceed the crime, and if he were working alone as a sole authority, then yes. He could be tried for murder if he abused the law. If the public demanded it and with a good lawyer that is.


But I wouldn't know. I'm just a chemistry major.