Mississippi State University Scholars Junction Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 8-1-2008 John Calvin: an educational innovator or a reflector of society Jim Llewellyn Codling Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td Recommended Citation Codling, Jim Llewellyn, "John Calvin: an educational innovator or a reflector of society" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 2889. https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2889 This Dissertation - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Scholars Junction. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Junction. For more information, please contact [email protected]. JOHN CALVIN: AN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATOR OR A REFLECTOR OF SOCIETY By James Codling A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in Education in the Department of History Mississippi State, Mississippi August 2008 JOHN CALVIN: AN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATOR OR A REFLECTOR OF SOCIETY By Jim Codling Approved: _____________________ ______________________ Burnette Wolf Hamil Mark Goodman Associate Professor of Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction Communications (Director of Dissertation) (Co-Director of Dissertation) _____________________ _______________________ David A. Sicko Peggy F. Hopper Assistant Professor of Assistant Professor of Arts and Science Curriculum & Instruction (Minor Professor) (Committee Member) ____________________ ________________________ Pete Smith Dana Franz Assistant Professor of Assistant Professor of Communications Curriculum & Instruction (Committee Member) (Committee Member) ____________________ ________________________ Linda Coats Richard Blackbourn Interim Department Head and Dean of College of Education Associate Professor Graduate Coordinator Curriculum & Instruction Name: James Codling Date of Degree: August 9, 2008 Institution: Mississippi State University Major Field: Education Major Professor: Dr. Burnette Wolf Hamil Title of Study: JOHN CALVIN: AN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATOR OR A REFLECTOR OF SOCIETY Pages in study: 191 Candidate for Degree of Doctor of Education This study examined the influence of John Calvin in education, as well as those influences that affected him. It examined his writings to determine if his vision, as to the scope of education and its purpose, made him an innovator. The research searched for reforms in the areas of curriculum, understanding of the teaching office, and universal education. It also looked at philosophy, economics, and labor. Schools existed in Geneva before Calvin arrived in 1536; however, they did not function in the way that Calvin would have liked. Calvin provided the elementary students with a needed text when he prepared a catechism. The students had written material that they could read and study and a systematic presentation of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Calvin also wanted more appropriate facilities in which the students could learn. Although his organization of the schools improved the atmosphere for learning, the building of the Academy was his dream and became his major educational achievement in the city of Geneva. Because 16th century students needed to be prepared for the new world, there was a need for curriculum change. The students were required to read many of the prominent Greek and Roman authors in the ancient languages but the student learned theology, Hebrew, poetry, dialectic and rhetoric, physics, and mathematics as well. Calvin wish to graduate a well rounded scholar who could take his or her place in society. All people were to work to their potential at their job because in doing their job they would honor God. Teachers were especially important. Those who taught would affect the quality of education. Calvin worked to provide teacher training and support. He believed that the teaching office was a special calling from God and education was a means to prepare the young person for his or her calling. DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my wife and children. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ........................................................................................................... ii LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... vii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1 Statement of the Purpose ............................................................................... 3 Justification of the study ................................................................................ 6 Calvin’s influences ............................................................................. 6 Contributions of the study .................................................................. 7 Definition of terms ......................................................................................... 8 Limitations of the study ................................................................................. 10 Calvin’s writings ............................................................................... 10 Differing views about Calvin ............................................................. 10 Methodology .................................................................................................. 10 Procedure for the rest of the study ................................................................. 12 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................. 13 Introduction ................................................................................................... 13 Personal Influences ........................................................................................ 14 Early schooling .................................................................................. 14 Humanist influences ........................................................................... 15 Educational environment ................................................................... 17 Calvin: More than a Humanist ....................................................................... 18 His personality ................................................................................... 18 Strict or humane ................................................................................. 19 The Social Context ......................................................................................... 20 Calvin and change .............................................................................. 21 Literary change .................................................................................. 26 Educational Context ....................................................................................... 27 Calvin’s strengths as affecting education .......................................... 27 View of teachers ................................................................................ 28 Theological Context ....................................................................................... 29 iii Universal education ........................................................................... 29 Publishing of writings ........................................................................ 30 Place of theology................................................................................ 31 Ethics.................................................................................................. 32 Scriptural importance ......................................................................... 32 III. METHOD ......................................................................................................... 34 Research design ............................................................................................. 34 Methods used ..................................................................................... 34 A Review of Texts Used in Educational Foundations Classes ...................... 35 Purpose: to determine if the study is legitimate ................................. 36 Introduction ........................................................................................ 36 Subjects (annotations are of foundations texts) ................................. 37 Limitations ......................................................................................... 40 Analysis.............................................................................................. 40 The Historical Study ...................................................................................... 44 Introduction ........................................................................................ 44 Library and Research Materials ......................................................... 45 Procedures .......................................................................................... 45 Limitations ......................................................................................... 46 The Survey on Teaching ................................................................................ 48 Introduction ........................................................................................ 48 Subjects .............................................................................................