Jean Calvin & Michael Servetus - 1536-1553

Michael Servetus was a Spanish Polymath. He studied Math, Law, Astrology, Anatomy, medicine, weather, drugs, languages and poetry. He was the first European to describe the circulatory system. Servetus also wrote his opinions on religion. He published a book called, “Errors of the Trinity” in which he argued that Jesus and the Holy Ghost were not God but God was Jesus and the Holy Ghost. Instead of God 3 in 1, he asserted that they’re actually God 1 in 3. Servetus insisted that Jesus should be called “the Son of the Eternal God” instead of “Eternal son of God.” This angered the Catholic establishment in Spain and the Inquisition sought to capture Servetus and hold him on trial of heresy. The charge of heresy was punishable by death.

Servetus ran away to Paris, changed his name and taught lectures. He was very active in the astrology society as well as the medical society. In one of his classes he taught a works by the Greek Stoic named Cicero. The book argued against prophesy and omens. This angered the religious community in Paris and Servetus moved to Montpellier. While there, his representation preceded him and he was strongly disliked, not only because of his heretical beliefs but he was also known to be arrogant about them. A fellow physician ambushed and tried to kill Servetus, but Servetus defended himself and injured one of the attackers in a sword fight. He was in prison for several days because of this incident.

Servetus moved to Vienna and worked as a doctor. At this time he began writing letters back and forth to Jean Calvin. Through their theological debating, Calvin was convinced that the Calvinist teaching of predestination was wrong. He didn’t believe that God would make people just for them to reject him and go to hell. Calvin sent a copy of his own book as his reply. Servetus promptly returned it, thoroughly annotated with critical observations. Calvin wrote to Servetus, "I neither hate you nor despise you; nor do I wish to persecute you; but I would be as hard as iron when I behold you insulting sound doctrine with so great audacity." In time their correspondence grew more heated until Calvin ended it. Servetus sent Calvin several more letters, to which Calvin took offense. Thus, Calvin's frustrations with Servetus seem to have been based mainly on Servetus's criticisms of Calvinist doctrine, but also on his tone, which Calvin considered inappropriate.

Jean Calvin wrote to his friend, “Servetus has just sent me a long volume of his ravings. If I consent he will come here, but I will not give my word; for if he comes here, if my authority is worth anything, I will never permit him to depart alive.”

While in Vienna, Servetus continued to criticize popular theology. He criticized the practice of baptizing babies. He said, “it’s the invention of the devil.” He argued that Christians are “adopted” by choice and babies can’t make the choice and therefore not saved but saved through God’s mercy toward those not yet able to make a choice. This angered yet more establishment Christians and he was soon imprisoned. While waiting for trial he escaped the prison. The people of Vienna charged him with heresy in his absence and they announced that if he returned they would burn him and his books. They then burnt a pile of blank pages in the city center as a symbol.

Servetus planned to escape to Italy but for unknown reasons stopped in Geneva, where Jean Calvin was a prominent figure, the cities leading theologian and member of the city council. Perhaps he believed Jean Calvin could be reasoned with and that he could convince him to adopt his understanding of true theology. It’s possible Servetus had a martyr complex and was willing to die for his beliefs and/or believed that his death would gain attention and bring popularity to his opinions.

So he travelled to Geneva and attended a service held by Jean Calvin himself. After the service he was arrested by the crowd and imprisoned once again. All his belongings were confiscated. The French and Spanish both requested that Servetus be sent to them for execution. The protestants of Geneva wanted to appear strong on heresy. If one man was allowed to have his own opinion, what stopped everyone?

Jean Calvin wrote to several friends at this time:

"I hope that sentence of death will at least be passed upon him; but I desire that the severity of the punishment may be mitigated." (Letter to Farel, 20 August 1553)

Calvin, leading pastor and theological guide of Geneva, given a role on the Geneva city council. The prosecution charged him with denying the trinity (that God is 3 in 1, not 1 in 3) and anti-infant baptism. They also attacked him personally by questioning why he hadn’t married and why he likes Jews and Muslims and why he had read the Koran? At the end of the trial, Servetus was found guilty and the rule was that someone found guilty was burned at the stake. Jean Calvin and the council requested that Servetus be beheaded instead but this was declined.

Servetus was tied to a post with his arms behind his back. A firewood and his own books were piled beneath him. The pile was lit and the flames grew slowly. He called out for help, “Jesus, Son of the Eternal God, have mercy on me." He screamed in pain and took 30 minutes to die in the fire.

"Certainly his arrogance destroyed him not less than his impiety. And what crime was it of mine if our Council, at my exhortation, indeed, but in conformity with the opinion of several Churches, took vengeance on his execrable blasphemies?"

“Such monsters should be exterminated, as I have exterminated Michael Servetus the Spaniard.” -John Calvin

After the execution of Servetus, there was an outcry from several communities in Europe. Some became harsh critics of Jean Calvin and his movement. Servetus became inspiration for a unitarian movement in Poland and his writings were revered by certain sects. Calvin dismissed the criticism as the attacks of corrupted heretics.

"Whoever shall now contend that it is unjust to put heretics and blasphemers to death will knowingly and willingly incur their very guilt. This is not laid down on human authority; it is God who speaks and prescribes a perpetual rule for his Church. . . . Many people have accused me of such ferocious cruelty that I would like to kill again the man that I have destroyed. Not only am I indifferent to their comments, but I rejoice in the fact that they spit in my face."

Modern Calvinists make justifications for the involvement of Jean Calvin and his followers. They excuse his involvement by saying that he didn’t light the match, therefore he’s not a murderer, it was a different time, he wasn’t the judge but just an advisor, Servetus was disruptive and rude. Most of all they share Calvin’s concern that if the incorrect doctrine is allowed to be spoken and shared that people might not make it to heaven. Therefore, words were dangerous to the prosperity of the human soul. Calvin and the Council of Geneva didn’t want to be soft on heresy or views different from theirs because tolerance encourages others to develop their own independent opinions and that's not what churches want. They offer security and guidance.