John Calvin's doctrine in eucharist Research Paper

John Calvin's doctrine in eucharist - Research Paper Example Thereafter, Calvin’s works, writings and doctrines would become quite useful and influential in establishing consensus among various Reformation groups not only in Switzerland, Scotland, Hungary and Germany but also across the expanse of Europe and other far off lands. Born on 10 July 1509, John Calvin, a French cleric and doctor of law, was a key figure in the second generation of reformers. He not only published the theological tome, the Institutes of the Christian Religion, in 1536 but also played an influential role in the development of the system of Christian theology, which would later be renamed Calvinism.2 Calvin became a leading figure in the Reformed church in Geneva, which was the presumed headquarters of Reformed Christianity in the latter parts of the 16th century. Together with other elders, Calvin worked with pastors and elders to ensure that religious discipline reigned among the Genevan populace. An area for which Calvin’s theology is widely read and known are his doctrines of (double) predestination and the Sacrament.3 Although predestination was not the overriding idea in Calvins works, it later became a key issue, more so for most of his Reformation students andsuccessors.After Zwingli’s death on 11 October 1531, Calvin took over the mantle of spiritual leadership among the reformers. The doctrine of theLord’s Supper was surrounded with divergent opinions, contentions, disputes and controversies from the medieval period up to modern times. The Eucharist is viewed differentlyby different cultures and people .4For instance, some people believe thatthe Eucharist is a grace through which sins are forgiven.In the Catholic tradition, the Council of Trent (1545-1563) asserts that, â€Å"by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the