John Calvin-Life,Legacy and Theology

JOHN CALVIN : LIFE, LEGACY AND THEOLOGY -
PROF. M. M. NINAN
But Strasbourg was a bit of a refuge for Calvin. Shortly after he had arrived in the city, he moved in
with Martin and Elizabeth Bucer. Martin was the warm-hearted pastor of the church of St. Thomas in
the city. Elizabeth was as hospitable as he. Their home was known as “the inn of righteousness.”
But a few months later the first candidate was brought forward. She was a wealthy German woman,
who had a brother serving as her campaign manager. A strong supporter of Calvin, the brother argued
that such a marriage would be most beneficial. Calvin had often said that he wished to live the life of a
scholar. Since royalties from sales of theological books would not provide much of an income, it would
be helpful for him to have a wealthy wife.
Calvin had two problems with the first candidate: first, she didn’t know French and did not seem eager
to learn it; secondly, as he explained to Farel, “You understand, William, that she would bring with her
a large dowry, and this could be embarrassing to a poor minister like myself. I feel, too, that she might
become dissatisfied with her humbler station in life.”
Farel had his own candidate to suggest. She spoke French and was a devout Protestant, but was
about fifteen years older than Calvin. Calvin never followed up on this one.
The next candidate spoke French and didn’t have any money, but was highly recommended by
friends. Calvin seemed interested, enough to invite her to Strasbourg for an interview.
Calvin again alerted Farel, “If it come to pass, as we may certainly hope will be the case, the marriage
ceremony will not be delayed beyond the tenth of March.” The year is now 1540; Calvin is now 31. “I
wish you might be present, that you may bless our wedlock,” but then Calvin added, “I make myself
look very foolish if it shall so happen that my hope again fall through.” But fall through it did.
John was now so embarrassed by the entanglements and by his off-and-on again letters to William
Farel that he wrote, “I have not found a wife and frequently hesitate as to whether I ought any more to
seek one.”
But when he stopped seeking, he found. In his congregation of refugees was a young widow, Idelette
de Bure Stordeur. She, her husband, and their two children had come to Strasbourg as Anabaptists.
Listening to John Calvin’s faithful exposition of Scripture, they were converted to his Reformed views.
Jean Stordeur, Idelette’s husband, had been an Anabaptist leader, and undoubtedly John Calvin had
discussed theological matters with the Stordeurs in their home. In 1537, when Calvin was still in
Geneva, Stordeur had come to that city to debate with the Reformers there. Stordeur lost the debate,
was ordered out of Geneva, and returned to Strasbourg. Undoubtedly, the discussions continued
when Calvin arrived in Strasbourg two years later. Eventually, Calvin’s use of Scripture convinced the
Stordeurs in most of their areas of difference, but not all. In some, perhaps, Calvin tempered his own
thinking. But soon the Stordeurs were in Calvin’s church, partaking of the Lord’s Supper; after further
discussion, they had their son baptized by Calvin; eventually, the entire family became members of
the church which now numbered nearly 500 refugees from France and the Low Countries.
40