Overview

A faithful examination of the role of John Calvin in the execution of Michael Servetus.    The execution of Michael Servetus (1511–53) is one of the most debated events in the life of John Calvin (1509–1564). It has left an indelible stain on Calvin’s reputation, and unfortunately, the retelling of the story is often dependent on the historian’s relationship to Calvinism.   Jonathan Moorhead here seeks to give a faithful narrative of the role of John Calvin in the execution of Michael Servetus. He examines the life of Servetus, with emphasis given to his education, publications, and relationship with John Calvin. Moorhead also gives attention to the role of Calvin in Servetus’ arrests, trials, and execution.   Understanding the extent of Calvin’s power in Geneva at the time of the trial is critical to understanding the events, as is the context of executing heretics throughout history, and in particular, in the 16th Century.   This book will challenge readers to think critically about the ethics of telling history, the standards of properly judging previous generations, and the benefits of this study for the building up of the Body of Christ.     Servetus’ Education and Publications Servetus’ Arrest and Escape from Vienne The Authority of John Calvin Servtus’ Arrest, Trial and Execution in Geneva Final Considerations Conclusion

Full Product Details

9781527107212

Table of Contents

Reviews

... I literally could not put it down. Jonathan Moorhead writes in a fast-paced yet thorough style, bringing out key historical facts that not only help the reader grasp the vital background to the execution of Servetus in Geneva, but masterfully corrects some unfortunate erroneous suppositions about that sad event. -- John Glass ... confronts all those who for centuries have turned Servetus into an innocent martyr and a victim of Calvin's cruel rule in Geneva. Here we have the whole story and the true one, and thus a different one. The book reads like a good movie, but there is no happy end and there are no winners, except for the historical truth. -- Herman Selderhuis This well researched study demonstrates the situation in Geneva and the Protestant Swiss cantons, forever exonerating John Calvin as the principal complainant and persecutor in the case. The book is a wonderful addition to our collective knowledge of both the times and of Calvin. I highly recommend it. -- John D. Hannah There is an old saying, 'A text out of context is a pretext.' This is certainly validated in Moorhead's work, which focuses upon the infamous episode of the criminal actions of Geneva against Michael Servetus, the infamous sixteenth-century anti-trinitarian. This well researched study demonstrates the situation in Geneva and the Protestant Swiss cantons, forever exonerating John Calvin as the principal complainant and persecutor in the case. The book is a wonderful addition to our collective knowledge of both the times and of Calvin. I highly recommend it. -- John D. Hannah ... an extremely helpful study of a significant event of the French Reformation and reveals how the history of such difficult and intricate events should be written. -- Michael A. G. Haykin ... demonstrates that Calvin's primary concern was not his execution, but his conversion. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out what exactly transpired, and the broader implications. -- John MacArthur

... an extremely helpful study of a significant event of the French Reformation and reveals how the history of such difficult and intricate events should be written. -- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky) ... I literally could not put it down. Jonathan Moorhead writes in a fast-paced yet thorough style, bringing out key historical facts that not only help the reader grasp the vital background to the execution of Servetus in Geneva, but masterfully corrects some unfortunate erroneous suppositions about that sad event. -- John Glass (Author of 'A Walking Guide to John Calvin's Geneva', and founder of Calvin Tours Geneva) ... confronts all those who for centuries have turned Servetus into an innocent martyr and a victim of Calvin's cruel rule in Geneva. Here we have the whole story and the true one, and thus a different one. The book reads like a good movie, but there is no happy end and there are no winners, except for the historical truth. -- Herman Selderhuis (President, Theological University Apeldoorn, The Netherlands) This well researched study demonstrates the situation in Geneva and the Protestant Swiss cantons, forever exonerating John Calvin as the principal complainant and persecutor in the case. The book is a wonderful addition to our collective knowledge of both the times and of Calvin. I highly recommend it. -- John D. Hannah (Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology, Research Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas) ... demonstrates that Calvin's primary concern was not his execution, but his conversion. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out what exactly transpired, and the broader implications. -- John MacArthur (Chancellor Emeritus, The Master's University and Seminary and Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California)

... confronts all those who for centuries have turned Servetus into an innocent martyr and a victim of Calvin's cruel rule in Geneva. Here we have the whole story and the true one, and thus a different one. The book reads like a good movie, but there is no happy end and there are no winners, except for the historical truth. -- Herman Selderhuis (President, Theological University Apeldoorn, The Netherlands) ... an extremely helpful study of a significant event of the French Reformation and reveals how the history of such difficult and intricate events should be written. -- Michael A. G. Haykin (Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky) ... demonstrates that Calvin's primary concern was not his execution, but his conversion. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out what exactly transpired, and the broader implications. -- John MacArthur (Chancellor Emeritus, The Master's University and Seminary and Pastor-Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California) ... I literally could not put it down. Jonathan Moorhead writes in a fast-paced yet thorough style, bringing out key historical facts that not only help the reader grasp the vital background to the execution of Servetus in Geneva, but masterfully corrects some unfortunate erroneous suppositions about that sad event. -- John Glass (Author of 'A Walking Guide to John Calvin's Geneva', and founder of Calvin Tours Geneva) This well researched study demonstrates the situation in Geneva and the Protestant Swiss cantons, forever exonerating John Calvin as the principal complainant and persecutor in the case. The book is a wonderful addition to our collective knowledge of both the times and of Calvin. I highly recommend it. -- John D. Hannah (Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology, Research Professor of Theological Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas)

... I literally could not put it down. Jonathan Moorhead writes in a fast-paced yet thorough style, bringing out key historical facts that not only help the reader grasp the vital background to the execution of Servetus in Geneva, but masterfully corrects some unfortunate erroneous suppositions about that sad event. -- John Glass Moorhead's monograph is an extremely helpful study of a significant event of the French Reformation and reveals how the history of such difficult and intricate events should be written. -- Michael A. G. Haykin Moorhead's book confronts all those who for centuries have turned Servetus into an innocent martyr and a victim of Calvin's cruel rule in Geneva. Here we have the whole story and the true one, and thus a different one. The book reads like a good movie, but there is no happy end and there are no winners, except for the historical truth. -- Herman Selderhuis John Calvin was the most influential theologian to the Reformation. His writings and ministry kindled the fire of biblical clarity and the structure of orthodoxy still accepted to this day. The one blight on Calvin's reputation that critics are quick to point out was his consent to the 1553 execution of Michael Servetus, a heretic who denied the Trinity, and therefore was tried and burned at the stake in Geneva. As with any historical event, Servetus' execution is riddled with complexities. Jonathan Moorhead sheds much-needed light on the events surrounding that infamous trial and execution. He demonstrates that Calvin's primary concern was not his execution, but his conversion. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in finding out what exactly transpired, and the broader implications. -- John MacArthur

The Trial of the 16th Century is simply spell-binding! Once I started it, I literally could not put it down. Jonathan Moorhead writes in a fast-paced yet thorough style, bringing out key historical facts that not only help the reader grasp the vital background to the execution of Servetus in Geneva, but masterfully corrects some unfortunate erroneous suppositions about that sad event. As one who gives many Reformation tours in Geneva, I get frequent questions from visitors about John Calvin and the infamous Servetus incident. This book has become the key resource I suggest for those wanting an accurate understanding of the details surrounding that singular event in Geneva. -- John Glass In some ways the acid test for Calvin's political theology is the infamous trial of Michael Servetus. For many who have considered Calvin's involvement in the trial and execution of Servetus, this event seriously damages the integrity of the Genevan Reformer's thought in their eyes. As Jonathan Moorhead capably shows, though, the case is much more complex. Moorhead's monograph is an extremely helpful study of a significant event of the French Reformation and reveals how the history of such difficult and intricate events should be written. -- Michael A. G. Haykin

... I literally could not put it down. Jonathan Moorhead writes in a fast-paced yet thorough style, bringing out key historical facts that not only help the reader grasp the vital background to the execution of Servetus in Geneva, but masterfully corrects some unfortunate erroneous suppositions about that sad event. -- John Glass Moorhead's book confronts all those who for centuries have turned Servetus into an innocent martyr and a victim of Calvin's cruel rule in Geneva. Here we have the whole story and the true one, and thus a different one. The book reads like a good movie, but there is no happy end and there are no winners, except for the historical truth. -- Herman Selderhuis Moorhead's monograph is an extremely helpful study of a significant event of the French Reformation and reveals how the history of such difficult and intricate events should be written. -- Michael A. G. Haykin

Author Information

Jonathan Moorhead (PhD—Dallas Theological Seminary; MDiv,ThM—The Master’s Seminary) has served with The Master’s Academy International in Russia and the Czech Republic since 2008 and specializes in Church History, Theology, and Apologetics. Jonathan and his wife Sharon have five children: Nahum, Isaac, Jesse, Jonas, and Miriam.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available