John Calvin: The Strasbourg Years (1538-1541)

The three years that Calvin spent in Strasbourg are often considered a simple gap between his two periods in Geneva (1536-1538 and 1541-1564). However, this period has been shown to be extremely fertile for Calvin in literary, theological, and pastoral fields, not forgetting his marriage to Idelette de Bure. It was in Strasbourg that Calvin published the second Latin edition, greatly increased, of his ＂Institution,＂ and where he wrote the first French version of this summary of the reformed religion. There he lectured on ＂Romans,＂ replied to Cardinal Sadolet, and wrote his ＂Little Treatise on Holy Communion,＂ intended to reconcile Protestants. There he became familiar with Martin Bucer’s catechetical practice and with the songs of the Strasbourg parishes, which inspired his ＂Some Psalms and Canticles put into Song,＂ and there he gained the friendship of Philippe Melanchthon and the respect of other Reformers.

Matthieu Arnold is professor of Modern and Contemporary History with the Faculty of Protestant Theology at the University of Strasbourg.

Felicity McNab is a freelance translator of Huguenot descent, living in England. Her work includes the translation of History of the Conquest of Abyssinia from the French Histoire de la conquete d’Abyssinie, by Jules Perruchon (broadcast on BBC World Service), The Abductor from Ravisseur, by Leila Marouane, and True Piety from La vraie piete, by John Calvin in 2014. She has also worked for several departments of the Irish Civil Service in patent translating and as a court interpreter.