Was John Calvin Ordained?
Recently I heard an assertion I have heard once before, that John Calvin had never been ordained. I pondered this possibility and wondered if it was true. And if it was true, how could Calvin have been consistent with his doctrines of ordination, & the ministry of the Word and Sacraments? Therefore, I embarked on a bit of a cyber-excursion, and found a few items worth pondering, and reasoning with. “After some hesitation, Calvin agreed and took the office in Geneva of “reader” (lector) of Holy Scripture. Calvin began his activity with lectures on the letters of Paul. He also participated in the Lausanne Disputation in October, 1536, between reform theologians and those faithful to Rome. The latter must have felt defeated when Calvin, quoting patristic texts from memory, refuted the allegation that the “evangelicals” disregarded the teaching of the church fathers about the Last Supper. [...] On the other hand, Calvin was able to see that the sacrament of ordination – especially ...