A Reformation Debate: John Calvin and Jacopo Sadoleto

by John Calvin, Jacopo Sadoleto, John C. Olin (Editor)

The reformation controversy over justification and church authority is presented through primary historic letters between John Calvin and Cardinal Sadoleto.

Genres: Theology, Church History, History, Christianity, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1539

About the author

French-Swiss theologian John Calvin broke with the Roman Catholic Church in 1533 and as Protestant set forth his tenets, known today, in Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536).

The religious doctrines of John Calvin emphasize the omnipotence of God, whose grace alone saves the elect.

* Jehan Cauvin
* Iohannes Calvinus (Latin)
* Jean Calvin (French)

Originally trained as a humanist lawyer around 1530, he went on to serve as a principal figure in the Reformation. He developed the system later called Calvinism.

After tensions provoked a violent uprising, Calvin fled to Basel and published the first edition of his seminal work. In that year of 1536, William Farel invited Calvin to help reform in Geneva. The city council resisted the implementation of ideas of Calvin and Farel and expelled both men. At the invitation of Martin Bucer, Calvin proceeded to Strasbourg as the minister of refugees. He continued to support the reform movement in Geneva, and people eventually invited him back to lead. Following return, he introduced new forms of government and liturgy. Following an influx of supportive refugees, new elections to the city council forced out opponents of Calvin. Calvin spent his final years, promoting the Reformation in Geneva and throughout Europe.

Calvin tirelessly wrote polemics and apologia. He also exchanged cordial and supportive letters with many reformers, including Philipp Melanchthon and Heinrich Bullinger. In addition, he wrote commentaries on most books of the Bible as well as treatises and confessional documents and regularly gave sermons throughout the week in Geneva. The Augustinian tradition influenced and led Calvin to expound the doctrine of predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation.

Calvin's writing and preaching provided the seeds for the branch of Protestantism that bears his name. His views live on chiefly in Presbyterian and Reformed denominations, which have spread throughout the world. Calvin's thought exerted considerable influence over major figures and entire movements, such as Puritanism, and some scholars argue that his ideas contributed to the rise of capitalism, individualism, and representative democracy in the west.

Reviews

[Dane Radigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I might’ve used to hate Calvin, before I started to understand Calvin. Turns out, I think I really like the guy

[Lance Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating letter from a Catholic Cardinal and John Calvin’s response.

[Tom James · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I purchased this book, I thought that it contained a direct debate between Cardinal Sadoleto and John Calvin via letters sent back and forth between the two men. This is not the case. The first letter is by Sadoleto to the citizens of Geneva, imploring them to return to Mother Church. The second letter is Calvin's response, explaining that the true Church is governed by the word of God and is concerned primarily with the glory of God. Calvin's reply is an excellent rebuttal to the Roman Catholic claim of being the one true Church of God. Calvin also ably defends the doctrine of justification by faith alone. To further clarify the Reformed vs. the Roman Catholic positions on justification, the book ends with selections from Calvin's "Institutes" and the Catholic "Council of Trent" on that subject.

[Jack Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shameless Calvin prop. Probably the best, most concise summary of Calvin’s theology/motives for reforming that I’ve read.

“…the only haven of safety is in the mercy of God, as manifested in Christ, in the whom every part of our salvation is complete. As all mankind are, in the sight of God, lost sinners, we hold that Christ is their only righteousness, since, by His obedience, He has wiped off our transgressions; by His sacrifice, appeased the divine anger; by His blood, washed away our sins; by His cross, borne our curse; and by His death, made satisfaction for us. We maintain that in this way man is reconciled in Christ to God the Father, by no merit of his own, by no value of works, but by gratuitous mercy.”

[Zack Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin’s letter in this volume is fantastic; one of the best introductions to justification in the Reformed tradition. It also includes the Council of Trent on justification, which is chief amongst papal malarkey.

Second read, Sep 2024: My man Calvin theologically body-slammed this goofy cardinal.
Edit: I really don’t know why I called this an ‘introduction to justification in the Reformed tradition’, it’s hardly about justification. I probably just needed an introduction to justification in the Reformed tradition really badly. (I could have deleted that bit and made it look like I never said something so silly, but that would be misleading, and I am a man of great integrity.)

[Alison (Marie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book a while ago, I just forgot to mark it here. I loved seeing the two different rhetoric styles used by Sadoleto and Calvin. I also thought it was kind of funny because Sadoleto wrote about 20 pages of kissing up and Calvin wrote like 40-50 pages of f*** you and it was just great. One of the best things I've had to read in my history class thus far. If you want to learn more about the Reformation I would highly suggest this be something you check out.

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1539, Cardinal Jacopo Sadoleto's wrote a letter to the people and senate of Geneva, winsomely welcoming, and also warning them, to return to the Roman Catholic Church or suffer eternal punishment in hell for being Protestant. Sadoleto's letter is winsome in tone, but it is quite dishonest and slanderous toward the Reformers in its representation of both their doctrines--in which Sadoleto portrays a number of strawmen--and in their lives--for example, accusing the Reformers of breaking from the RC Church so they may have freedom to exercise their lusts and to accumulate wealth according to their greed. This is polemical but it is well worth the read.

Some people I know who have read this exchange have mentioned that Sadoleto is so kind and Calvin such a jerk. After reading each letter carefully, I am amazed at the restraint Calvin shows in his reply. Sadoleto's letter is a work of smooth rhetoric, meant to play on emotions and fears in its arguments and persuasions, but it is dishonest and disingenuous throughout the seemingly loving attempts to win back the Genevans to the Catholic Church. Calvin is a jealous shepherd of the flock, even of a city in which some of the citizens and rulers despised and persecuted him. He is defensive and combative in his reply, and he can wield rhetoric also. For the most part, however, his reply is fair, even if harsh to our modern, overly sensitive ears. He portrays Catholic doctrine and practice truly, according to the contemporary situation of the day. His reply is also far more substantial than Sadoleto's attacks. Having read a fair bit of Reformation era history and doctrine (from both sides of the conflict), while I think it was a shame that the Reformation had to happen at all, I still firmly believe the Protestant Reformation did indeed have to happen. I readily admit that, clearly not all the Reformers did and taught was right or good and even much that was good was not so in an unqualified way. And yes, the Reformation helped to pave the way for some aspects of a growing secularity in society, but I do not believe the Reformers bear nearly as much blame even for those aspects as the corrupt and errant church which, clearly not getting its own house in order and not listening to the protests of the Reformers, created a situation in which protest and separation was the only option left for those who would not recant and submit to the corrupt hierarchy. I am forced to say that the Reformation was necessary because, from what I can see in the history books and theological debates of the day, it seems highly unlikely that a drastic enough reforming movement could have arisen from within the RC church due to the state of the church hierarchy and the ignorance of the laity and most of the clergy at the time.

The excerpt below is from near then end of Calvin's reply to Sadoleto:

“But the most serious charge of all is, that we have attempted to dismember the Spouse of Christ. Were that true, both you and the whole world might well regard us as desperate. But I will not admit the charge, unless you can make out that the Spouse of Christ is dismembered by those who desire to present her as a chaste virgin to Christ – who are animated by a degree of holy zeal to preserve her spotless for Christ – who, seeing her polluted by base seducers, recall her to conjugal fidelity – who unhesitatingly wage war against all the adulterers whom they detect laying snares for her chastity. And what but this have we done? Had not your faction of a Church attempted, nay, violated her chastity, by strange doctrines? Had she not been violently prostituted by your numberless superstitions? Had she not been defiled by that vilest species of adultery, the worship of images? And because, forsooth, we did not suffer you so to insult the sacred chamber of Christ, we are said to have lacerated His Spouse. But I tell you that that laceration, of which you falsely accuse us, is witnessed not obscurely among yourselves – a laceration not only of the Church, but of Christ himself, who is there beheld miserably mangled. How can the Church adhere to her Spouse, while she has Him not in safety? For where is the safety of Christ, while the glory of His justice, and holiness, and wisdom, is transferred elsewhere?” (92-93).

The next time you're tempted to think the Reformers over reacted to the church problems of their day, or the next time you are reading some post-Vatican II theologians and thinking to yourself, "man, what was Luther and Calvin's problem?" read this book (and Luther's 95 Theses). Remember that it was not de Lubac and von Balthasar and Congar and Ratzinger that Calvin was taking issue with. It was the Roman Catholic church of his day, not ours, with which he quarreling. And I thank God he stood his ground. That said, reading much of von Balthasar over this last couple years, it is clear to see that (some) Catholic theology in our day has moved away from Trent and toward the issues concerning the Protestant Reformers. For this also I am thankful. I hope the discussion between theologians across East and West and Catholic and Protestant lines continues, and I hope it is centered on the study of Scripture and never separated from the life of the church in the midst of the world.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction is rather academic in which I found myself reaching for the dictionary a few times.

These are two letters written by two very intelligent people educated in the liberal tradition. In the first letter Sadoleto forgoes any appeal to his reader’s intelligence and instead makes a mainly emotional appeal to those in Geneva to return to the Roman Catholic faith from which they have left. Calvin is asked by the Genovese to reply to Sadoleto’s letter and he agrees. Calvin’s reply is about twice as long as Sadoleto’s letter but is a reasoned, rational and biblical response which doesn’t pull any punches and in his reply he corrects a few assertions which Sadoleto tries to make as well as exposing a few errors inherent in Roman Catholic theology. I think Calvin’s reply is one of those lesser known if not unknown brilliancies of Reformed Theology which I intend to reread on a regular basis.

After Calvin’s reply are two appendixes in which the first one is Calvin’s explanation of Justification taken from his much larger work “Institutes of the Christian Religion” and the second is the Roman Catholic’s teaching on Justification taken from the Council of Trent which, I’m afraid to say, nearly put me to sleep.

[sch · Rating 3 out of 5]

These two letters are of historical interest; for the record, I think Calvin won the debate. But I am mostly disappointed in this little volume. Not sure why I had such high hopes for it, but it does not get to the heart of the matter between Catholics and Protestants, because neither author spends much energy on the questions of authority and method. Instead they just argue and make appeals from Scripture and Christian tradition.

The excerpts on justification at the end of the book are more illustrative of the two approaches: Calvin argues almost entirely from the Apostle Paul, with a handful of citations from the rest of the Bible and a sprinkling of Church Fathers. The authors of the Trent document approach the topic from the outside (i.e the big picture of the Gospel) and with more diverse allusion to Scripture. Still, not even this final section was what I was looking for.

[John Paul Arceno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Editor gave the historical context between the debate of Sadoleto and Calvin, which is great. Included also in the appendix Calvin's account on Justification and Council of Trent's account. It was neatly presented and compiled.

"[The] Scripture everywhere cries aloud, that all are lost; and every man's own conscience bitterly accuses him....That no hope is left but in the mere goodness of God, by which sin is pardoned, and righteousness imputed to us." // J. Calvin's response against J. Sadoleto

"And this is indeed the truth, for in order that we may appear before God's face unto salvation we must smell sweetly with his odor, and our vices must be covered and buried by his perfection." // J. Calvin, Institutes, 3.11.23

[Josh Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, Sadoleto and Calvin's letters only total about 60 pages (though the appendices are helpful). As the back cover notes, Sadoleto takes an irenic tone throughout but levels many charges at the Genevan reformers that Calvin is quick to name as "calumnies."

Sadoleto's gravest charge against the Genevans is that they have intentionally fractured the church for the purpose of their own licentiousness. Calvin answers this with proofs typical of himself and other reformers, i.e., citing the corruption of the papacy, accretion of non-biblical practices in worship, distancing of the laity from the Word of God, and the lack of assurance within medieval piety. Both men write in a clear style, and a generous reading of both assumes that they desire catholicity and authentic religion.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short version of Calvin. The best part is that Calvin actually channels a little bit of Luther with his backhanded compliments of Sadoleto. It is good to hear how Rome saw itself. It is small in volume but dense in material. Any historical theologian needs to have this available in thier repoitre. I plan on ordering a digital copy because I know i will wear out the tiny little 120 page binding. It shows how the same terms can lead to big misunderstandings. It is a small reading. There is no reason you could not read this in one day or on a couple of lunch breaks!

[Joshua Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book to get a sense of the emotions and convictions of the Reformers and Roman Catholics during the Reformation. Contains a letter from Catholic Bishop Sadoleto to the church in Geneva, and a response from John Calvin, as well as the sections and canons pretaining to justification from Calvins Institutes and The Council of Trent.

[Juan Firex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvino expone y hace una apología de las principales creencias de la iglesia reformada y a la vez hace argumentos en contra de creencias equivocadas de la iglesia de Roma, además de defenderse acusaciones en su contra. 10/10

[Kaylin Verbrugge]

“Christ regenerates to a blessed life those whom he justifies, and after rescuing them from the domain of sin, hands them over to the dominion of righteousness, transforms them into the image of God, and so trains them by his Spirit into obedience to his will” - calvin, 68

[E.J. Roussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a gem of a book. The letter of Cardinal Sadoleto, trying to persuade the Genevans to return to Roman Catholicism, and Calvin’s response provide a window into what really motivated the Reformers and the heart of what the Reformation was all about.

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book to understand the basic sides of the reformation controversies. The appendices are helpful for their credal content.

[Mark Lickliter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good! I enjoyed Sadoleto's piece, but wished he had written more! Johhny Calvin wrote about twice as much! This was good insight into the minds of these two men.

[Nick Bersin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting insight into the debates of the Reformation and Calvin's early work. Worth it just for Calvin's cold, brutal evisceration of Sadoleto.

[Scott Holstad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Man, I hate Calvin! SOB ruined my life and the life of countless others.

[Reese Walling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful look into the way a prominent Catholic of the 16th century implored reformers back into the Roman church and the incredible response from Calvin.

[Levi Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real zinger of historical proportions; Jonny C. laying the smackdown on Jakey S.

[Isabella Roh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent collection of the important documents of the Reformation Era. Highly recommend.

[Brian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very concise statement of counter reformation beliefs and Calvin's theological response.

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful little collection of primary sources. These two letters are good introductions to the major issues prompting the Protestant Reformation

[Randy Rios · Rating 5 out of 5]

“… those who have merely one spark of divine light, feel that their salvation consists in nothing else than their being adopted by God”

[Graham Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protestants: Calvin, 👍. Sadoleto, wack.
Catholics: Calvin, wack. Sadoleto, 👍.

[Jesus Salgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book demonstrates that unity can’t happen if the truth is at a divide. This can be considered one of the most important letters of the Reformation.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting — and historically significant — read.

[Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting primary source documents, but not a great introduction to the controversy, despite what the introduction and back cover claim.
The sum of the differences seems to be this: the Catholic view of justification is that it is done by faith and love. That is, salvation is a cooperative effort between God and us, with Him requiring us to both believe and love Him before we can be judged righteous. The Protestant view is that justification is by faith alone, whereby God requires only that we believe Him to receive the righteousness that has been given to us. Calvin describes what this looks like in the conversion of a Christian:

First, we bid a man begin by examining himself, and this not in a superficial and perfunctory manner, but to cite his conscience before the tribunal of God, and when sufficiently convinced of his iniquity, to reflect on the strictness of the sentence pronounced upon all sinners. Thus confounded and amazed at his misery, he is prostrated and humbled before God; and, casting away all self-confidence, groans as if given up to final perdition. Then we show that the only haven of safety is in the mercy of God, as manifested in Christ, in whom every part of our salvation is complete. As all mankind are, in the sight of God, lost sinners, we hold that Christ is their only righeousness, since, by His obedience, He has wiped off our transgressions; by His sacrifice, appeased the divine anger; by His blood, washed away our sins; by His cross, borne our curse; and by His death, made satisfaction for us. We maintain that in this way man is reconciled in Christ to God the Father, by no merit of his own [i.e. not by love:], by no value of works, but by gratuitous mercy. (66-67)