Looking up additional history of John Calvin doesn't paint a pretty picture. Even as a young teen in a French university - yes, he was very smart for his age - he was a severe critic of the faults of his fellow students. He was a student of humanism. He was apparently converted, possibly in his early twenties saying that "God subdued my heart". He "could not be silent" about his views, even though he thought of himself as a timid man. Those who heard about his views apparently thronged to hear what he called "the purer doctrine". He had a "new scriptural faith", it was said.
He ended up in Geneva at 27 and became one of a group of ministers, but it is not known how. The city's governing body used articles by Calvin and another man, Farel, to "reform religion" in the city. "Certain persons of good life and repute" were appointed to supervise discipline for people who violated the articles. Two years went by and the people rebelled against Calvin and Farel, to the point that they had to leave the city. He went to Strasbourg and lectured in theology for three years.
The situation in Geneva was unstable, so they asked Calvin to come back to resume his work. He again immediately set up a system of discipline, preaching, worship, and instruction with a ministry of pastors, teachers (doctors), elders, and deacons, which the city governing body accepted. So the governing body of the church, which was called the Little Council, also governed the city. Apparently Calvin had a certain amount of charisma, and he was constantly active, so the Geneva church and the city recognized him as their leader.
Once again, discipline was meted out, at first fairly mild, but under Calvin it became severe and all people, no matter their position, were "watched". All the laws and regulations were rigidly enforced. Such "offenses" as gambling, drunkenness, and even dancing and singing flippant songs drew grave penalties. Once again the citizens resented this discipline and opposition to Calvin grew. He was often insulted and thought he would be physically harmed or fired, but somehow he survived several crises. During this time, he continued preaching, lecturing, writing, and contending with his opponents - often angrily and harshly. He also encouraged the burning of witches. In 1555, nine years before his death, he attained a permanent victory. There was a great influx of refugees, mostly French speaking, who were already Calvinist by persuasion. They became a considerable factor in the voting citizenship.
Many eminent men were victims of Calvin's purposeful leadership. A schoolmaster was refused admission to the ministry for his startling views of the Song of Solomon. The struggle ended with him leaving Geneva and a letter of complaint as to how he handled the Bible. Jacques Gruet was beheaded for blasphemy, treason, and a threat to the ministers. Jerome Bolsec, a physician who attacked Calvin's doctrine of predestination was banished. Bolsec even wrote a book after Calvin died called "Life of Calvin" - that was in 1577. In the book, he accused Calvin of many wrongs - some say much of the book was lies. Then in 1553, a renowned Spanish anti-Trinitarian, Michael Servetus, was charged with being a heretic and was burned at the stake. He had clashed with Calvin long before, written against him, and engaged in controversial correspondence with him. Servetus was brought to "trial", and later burned, although Calvin sought the punishment of beheading. Calvin defended the death penalty for "heresy" and later wrote of Servetus and his doctrines with loathing.
Geneva was virtually under Calvin's total sway from 1555. In 1558 the Academy of Geneva became a "nursery" of Calvinism, sending its alumni to all parts of Europe. He was known for his intensity and hot temper. In his forties he was assailed by a series of painful diseases, which sapped his vitality, but he still continued writing commentaries, treatises, and pamphlets and corresponded with many until his death in 1564.
