Amazon Editor's Synopsis

John S. (July 25, 2010). Did Calvin Murder Servetus by Stanford Rives is a monumental, utterly convincing and somewhat

hard-going (34 chapters, 562 pages and 16 appendices) legal brief and theological exegesis. An overwhelming case is made and thoroughly documented (990 footnotes) that in 1553 John Calvin, with malice aforethought, unjustifiably and illegally had Michael Servetus judicially murdered (denied legal counsel, denied any appeal) by the authorities in Geneva, Switzerland.

Not only were Calvin’s charges against Servetus (blasphemy - insult of God’s goodness and heresy - error) false. The one-sided trial violated Genevan and Justinian legal codes (heresy was no crime), 16th century Protestantism ( the age-old excuse that Calvin was merely a “product of his times” is eviscerated because Calvin was all alone among early Protestant reformers in claiming that heretics deserved to be killed) and basic Christian values (e.g., the “golden rule”). In fact, Calvin’s actions undermined hard-won religious tolerance negotiated by Erasmus and set in motion the late 16th and 17th century era of Roman Catholics and Protestants killing “political opponents on specious heresy/blasphemy charges.” (539) 

The author’s main premise comes from the Book of Matthew (7:15) when Jesus said: 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.”

Coming at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, with its emphasis on what it means to be a Christian in the kingdom of God, this particular passage refers to those things which are not of the kingdom. Jesus warned his followers about those who portray themselves as being of the kingdom, but in fact are deceivers. The analogy of sheep and wolves derived from Jesus as the “good shepherd,” versus “wolves in sheep’s clothing” or false spiritual teachers who use religion to exploit others for their own selfish desire for power and control.

Rives concludes that Calvin was one of these false prophets. The author raises serious questions about Calvin’s qualifications as a Protestant Christian theologian. Before Calvin wrote the Institutes (1536), he had no formal Protestant training, he was never a pastor (he was trained as a lawyer), he wrote no previous Christian commentary, and he left no inkling of what led him

to Christ (i.e., conversion experience). So, the question remains, how did Calvin write an alleged definitive book on Christian doctrine while still in his twenties?

Perhaps this helps explain why Calvin was so hyper-sensitive to any criticism of his ideas, and interpreted any disagreement as a personal attack. In 1552, he tried to have a critic punished for attacking the core Calvinist doctrine of predestination. Calvin believed his writings were “God’s doctrine” and had the Genevan Senate declare it so, and that nobody could question or criticize the Institutes. How ironic, when Calvin condemned Roman Catholic popes of “tyrannical oppression” when interpreting Scripture and infringing on freedom of conscience. Calvin claimed to follow Jesus’ teaching to judge religious leaders by the fruit they produced. But what happens when Calvin’s thoughts and actions are examined by the same criteria? “By your own words you will be justified, and by your own words you will be condemned.” (Matt 12:37)

In the case of Calvin v. Michael Servetus, recall that Jesus was charged as a blasphemer by the high priest Caiphas, and the judicial killing of Jesus stemmed from the false accusation of blasphemy. Servetus was also charged falsely of blasphemy by Calvin, prosecuted by Calvin, and burnt at the stake by authorities in Geneva at Calvin’s insistence. But as a lawyer, Calvin knew that under Genevan law, heresy was not a civil crime, and blasphemy was not a capital crime. The maximum penalty was expulsion, not death.

To make things worse, when asked by Sebastien Castellio to repent, Calvin remained defiant and unrepentant for his “judicial murder,” and boasted that he “exterminated Michael Servetus.” Servetus and Castellio sowed the “fruits” for freedom of conscience and religious liberty, while Calvin trampled the cherished legal rights that we hold so dearly today. “In the suppression of the liberties of Geneva was sown the seed of the liberties of Europe.” 

Rives purpose in writing this book was to ascertain whether Calvin murdered Servetus. If he did, then how can contemporary Christians abide by Calvin’s theology? As Jesus said, “by their fruits you shall know them.” As the author states, “if a religious leader has a great moral failure, then there must be something faulty in their doctrine.” Calvin wrote in the Institutes

that is was criminal to execute heretics because to do so was “opposed to every principle of humanity.” So, how did Calvin justify killing someone over differences of religious interpretation or opinion? How could Calvin kill Servetus when he urged tolerance for heretics?

For Rives, the answer lies in Calvin’s doctrine of predestination, which the author calls “a deformed version of Christianity.” Calvin’s core assertion was the absolute sovereignty of God. A small “elect” were predestined by God to be saved, while the rest of humanity were doomed to damnation. As if this did not create enough a high-anxiety faith, it also left open the nagging

question about the source or cause of evil in the world. The corner Calvin boxed himself into was that if God’s dominion was absolute, then God was the sole source for good as well as evil. Rives concluded that, “nothing Servetus ever taught was as dangerous as Calvin’s blasphemy about free-will and God’s direction of evil.” (449) Christians only have one teacher, and that is Jesus –not Calvin or any other human interpreter. This is no New Testament scriptural basis for executing heretics. Jesus stressed tolerance and condemned allegedly fighting evil by evil means. This is what Castelio meant when he charged Calvin with murder, and then added that, “I am no defender of Servetus, but I shall so expose the false doctrines of Calvin that everyone shall see as plain as noonday that he [Calvin] thirsted for blood.”

Rives found that, “Calvin is not trustworthy as a putative teacher and guide.” (108) He concludes that, “each reader must decide whether Calvin murdered Servetus by jerry-rigging the case so as to trap Servetus by making up false insinuation for death penalties under laws that did not apply, and false accusations of blasphemy for what was mere heresy which was no crime at all in Geneva.” (457)

The only historical error I discerned in this book was the incorrect assertion (stemming from an unreliable Salem Witch Trials Wikipedia entry that has been subsequently corrected) that twenty-nine women were burned at the stake in Salem, Massachusetts as alleged witches in 1692-93. (560) Nobody was burned at the stake for witchcraft in Salem. Nineteen persons (fourteen women and five men) were hung after being convicted of witchcraft, and one man was pressed to death by stones in a futile attempt to elicit testimony against his wife, while other accused persons died in prison awaiting trial or release. Still, Rives’ larger point remains valid, “the violent practices of [Calvinist] Geneva revived in Salem.”

My only other criticism is that the book is in need of some editing-out and slimming-down to make its compelling case that much more cogent. 

Joe S. (Jan. 21. 2010). This will be an ongoing review as the book is read. The author utterly destroys all hope Calvinist apologists may have nurtured that Calvin's character might be salvageable. His guilt is unequivocally established and demonstrated for all to see. A clearer demonstration of the folly of giving the veneer of authority to the opinions of one man can scarcely be imagined.

And that's just in the preface!

As I read the book, I find myself amazed at the sheer depth of evidence the author presents to make his point. Currently I'm reading about how Calvin used a reference to a book Servetus did not write, an annotation Servetus did not make in said book to claim blasphemy in a circumstance which could more readily have been used to burn Calvin than Servetus.

Kristi. (Dec. 9, 2009). This is without doubt the best book I have read regarding the Reformation. Well written and painstakingly researched, it stands as a testament to the thought of the scholars and writers of that time. I found the footnotes full of further information and flavor as well as evidence of the author's careful and complete research regarding how John Calvin set up the demise of Michael Servetus through lies and deception. Indeed, Calvin was not above claiming anything, including refuting his own prior writings, in order to effect the death of Servetus. It is horrifying to learn how not only were Calvin's accusations false and contrived, but that the arrest of Servetus on a Sunday was unlawful and the verdict of death against Servetus also had no actual basis in the laws of Geneva at that time. Fueled by hatred, Calvin used his authority and standing in the Church to convince the court to take the life of a man he knew to be innocent. Calvin exhibited a total lack of honesty, integrity, and brotherly love in his dealings with Servetus. As Standford Rives points out, Christians are thus duty-bound to be very skeptical of Calvin's writings and teachings. My thanks to the author for a very illuminating and readable work regarding this sad affair

Brian (Aug. 1, 2009). Stanford Rives Esq. does a masterful job of presenting all of the history of this sordid affair. With all of this documented using the words of Calvin, and all of the applicable laws which applied to heresy in Geneva, it is clear and quite evident that John Calvin murdered Michael Servetus because of hatred.

John Calvin was supposed to be teaching the words of Christ, but instead he became consumed like Cain , for his hatred of Michael Servetus overcame him.

The author refutes all of the excuses used to cover this act of murder by John Calvin, using sound, cogent reasoning. I highly recommend this history. It is well written and presented in a thorough manner which answers all questions of this tragic event.

Robert W. (Aug. 4, 2009.)  Although Rives approaches the task from the vantage point of a lawyer, his writing is never bogged down by highly technical language or legal jargon. He writes his book for the layperson, taking care to always explain theological or legal concepts. While "Did Calvin Murder Servetus?" clocks in at around 600 pages, the writing is never redundant or verbose. I found that Rives maintained a brisk pace while moving through a daunting amount of material and always kept me interested in the progression of the narrative.

One of the first things the reader will note is the huge amount of footnotes and cross-references. Far from being a detraction, I was thrilled to see such an effort put into allowing the reader to research and verify Rives' claims. The citations are well organized and the material referenced could often times be easily accessed on the internet. As mentioned before, the book is written for the average individual so Rives often offers explanatory notes or elaboration for those who are interested in a more thorough analysis.

Stanford Rive's well written and meticulously annotated work will find appeal to a very broad audience. The religious minded will find an engaging narrative of one the formative events of the Protestant reformation and get to know some of the leading figures of church history. The historian will find a comprehensive examination of the civil and legal systems of 16th century European world and their role in creating disillusionment with the theocratic system. The student of sociology will find a detailed analysis of a world where civil liberties have been replaced by religious institutions and free expression is conducted at the risk of one' s life. I will conclude by saying that just about any reader can find something rewarding in the compelling true story of a man who stood up alone against a ruthless and malevolent tyrant and suffered death rather than accept a lie.

21st Century Reformation Website Review by Barbara Buzzard (2010)

[Excerpt] In 2008 Standford Rives, a California attorney, re-opened the case against Calvin — a charge of judicial murder (a false witness obtaining a capital conviction without true evidence).....Obviously we are not kept in suspense as to the question of murder in the title of the book (the back cover reveals that). The intrigue and revelation is in the examination of facts that even New Testament scholars have been unaware of. This book had to be written by a lawyer; the examination of the modus operandus of Calvin who was himself a trained lawyer required special expertise. One has only to note the bibliography of 14 pages to appreciate the vast amount of work and dedication that have gone into the making of such a treasure of a book. As one reviewer noted, “It is the best book on the Reformation that I have ever read.” I would add that it points to a most desperate need for a “21st-Century Reformation”! The Reformation was never completed. In many cases the reformers feared for their lives and orthodoxy won out by brute force.

By far and away the most valuable effect of this book lies in its practical application. The author detects hatred and possibly jealousy as motives so sickening as to propel one to murder in the name of God and then justify it. He challenges us with the wider issue of how this has affected Christianity throughout history and to this day, pointing out that its legacy is with us still in our creeds, our thinking, our non-thinking(!), our acceptance of tradition, but perhaps most especially in our lack of protest!....

Again the application: “If Calvin murdered Servetus, then we know everything Calvin teaches is potentially tainted.” 1 John 3:10: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God.” Repentance is the operative factor here but tragically, Calvin boasted to the day he died of his role in the extermination of Michael Servetus. Calvin’s views on predestination allowed him to teach that anyone who had been regenerated can be an unrepentant murderer and still have eternal life. His theology essentially allows the elect to sin and remain saved. The Scriptures teach the opposite.

Rives exposes the mental paradigm of a Calvinist who cannot bring himself even to consider whether Calvin could have been lost because he would begin to doubt his own salvation. “Once in grace, always in grace” leads to the thinking that murder is no big deal. This teaching actually attributes not only evil, but immoral acts to God. The author wisely points out that God is not only great but that He is good. Calvin’s God is not good. “This is extremely relevant today…because the Westminster Confession perpetuates Calvin’s doctrine about God’s responsibility for evil through weekly Bible studies in hundreds of churches. It is a doctrine, if truly harbored and relied upon, which can corrupt the soul.”

“When we then cast our eyes at the killing of Servetus, we can legitimately ask this question: what would one expect from a theologian who saturates his mind with the belief that God directs all murderers’ thoughts and God makes murderers in fact murder?”

Rives is a whistleblower par excellence. I am so grateful for the depth and diligence of his research. He uncovered efforts by historians and scholars to conceal rather than to reveal the truth. He demonstrates Calvin’s false swearing, premeditated murderous desires, justification of murder, refutation of prior writings and contrived allegations against Servetus who was denied legal counsel. He astonishes his readers by revealing that Calvin himself was tried in 1537 for heresy for being an anti-Trinitarian. Calvin refused throughout his life to subscribe to the Athanasian and Nicene creeds; he hid this very effectively when he was charging Servetus with the same thing.

Email Reviews

I love your book! I am about halfway through, and taking careful notes. (Dan 10/11/09)

Harry April 2011

Mr. Rives,

 

I cannot express how I have appreciated your book on Calvin. Your work is an example of what true Christian scholarship should be. More importantly, however, than the praise of men, I am sure that when you enter into heavenly glory you will be greeted with …

 

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; ... Come and share your master's happiness!”  Jesus (Matthew 25:23)

 

You have been faithful to use your talents not so much to acquire the glory of men, or to control their way of thinking, but rather to war against the kingdom of darkness, exposing its agents, and in doing so, helping to expand the glorious and everlasting true kingdom of God. All Glory to God.

 

Thanks again,  Harry M. Savannah, Ga

Comments to Knol "Calvin and Servetus"

Thanks for this article, it is a very thorough account. I have read the account in Earl Morse Wilbur's History of Unitarianism, and it agrees with yours. Yvonne Aburrow (Feb. 10, 2010) See http://knol.google.com/k/servetus-calvin#

Blogger Reviews

BE READY FOR A STUNNING AND DESPERATELY NEEDED PERSPECTIVE ON WHETHER OR NOT CALVIN MURDERED SERVETUS. DID CALVIN MURDER SERVETUS? IS AN ESSENTIAL READ FOR ANYONE SEEKING AFTER TRUTH ON THIS HIGHLY CONTROVERIAL SUBJECT. Did Calvin Murder Servetus? Written by Standford Rives, an attorney who has practiced law in California for 27 years. In school he studied Latin and classical Greek. Mr. Rives has been an evangelical Christian since he was 15. He was baptized in a Baptist Church and has spent most of his 31 years attending a Reformed Calvinist congregation. A lawyer of Reformed training (Rives) carefully examines the case, and puts John Calvin on trial for the alleged murder of Michael Servetus. Carefully examine the evidence and the facts provided and decide for yourself whether Calvin is innocent or guilty on the charges of murder in the first degree. The Truth is Violated by Falsehood & Outraged by Silence #8 (Facebook March 2011.)

For a well-reasoned contrary view, I recommend Standford Rives’ article, Servetus & Calvin: Was it Murder by Calvin? ("Was John Calvin A Murderer?" Christian Top 500 May 24, 2010.)

The fine book -- Did Calvin Murder Servetus. (Dakota L. May 30, 2010.)

Even worse, Calvin committed pre-meditated murder. In 1546 Calvin went on record as saying: "If he [Servetus] comes [to Geneva], I shall never let him go out alive if my authority has weight." Anyone who disputes these facts should read Standford Rives book, Did Calvin Murder Servetus. In fact, Texas should add it to their required reading list. Of course, largely due to James Madison, the unalienable and natural right of liberty of conscience, bolstered by the separation of church and state, won out ultimately, thanks to the heirs of Servetus (like Jefferson) - not Calvin! (March 18, 2010, John Shaw.)

Geneva had no law against heresy which deemed a person to be executed. A great book to read is "Did Calvin Murder Servetus?" by Standford Rives. This book shows the man that Calvin truly was, a murderer. Calvin even changed his book, "The Institutes of Christian Religion" to be able to justify his means for the execution. (Comment on YouTube from November 2009 "John Piper etc. on Calvin & Servetus.")

Geneva had previously only banished heretics. Not so with Servetus, under Calvin's guidance and influence. I recommend you check out the recent book entitled "Did Calvin Murder Servetus?" You can read it free on-line. (Ben, Oct 15, 2009.)

Recently I read "Did Calvin Murder Servetus?"by Stanford Rives Esq. This volume of erudition was succinct and thoroughly researched. The author listed over 300 bibliographical sources and had 990 footnotes. This volume told the sordid affair of the murder of Michael Servetus by John Calvin the reformer,who lived in Geneva,Switzerland. It became evident that John Calvin had Michael Servetus burned to the stake because Servetus dared to correct the supercilious John Calvin and his errant theology. Calvin did not take any criticism, it grew him him like a cancer and given the chance, like Caine acted out his hatred, and murdered Michael Servetus. Servetus had written to John Calvin and stated that Calvin had a demon because of his doctrine of infant baptism. Servetus knew the scriptures, but because Calvin adored the words of Augustine, he made infant baptism a pillar of his teaching. Calvin also failed to comprehend the words of the apostle Paul and developed a teaching on predestination. Calvin in his misdirected intelligence, actually made God the author of sin. (Aug 8, 2009, Brian Baker, http://brianbaker.vox.com/ copied at this link.)

To anyone interested in the historical details concerning the Servetus execution and the role Calvin played, as well as what appear to be prior historical inaccuracies concerning this event (e.g. Calvin’s comments that the Churches were in agreement with his decision to execute Servetus, pg. 360 ff., and the claim that Calvin wanted the sword for Servetus, pg. 365 ff.), I recommend the following book, which can be read for free online.Did Calvin Murder Servetus? Especially interesting is the section entitled, Standard Excuses for Calvin, beginning on page 373. (Arminian Perspective, July 2009.)

I suggest reading "Did Calvin Murder Servetus?" by Standford Rives Esq. This book should answer all questions on this historical event. It is available on Amazon. (Brian B. July 22, 2009).

Second, Rives' demonstrates in his book, Did Calvin Murder Servetus?, that the “Four Cities” and other churches did not sanction the death penalty for Servetus (not that it would make it right even if they did), and could have never even anticipated that Servetus would have been put to death based on the charges against him (pp. 359-364). (Ben, August 7, 2009.)

To anyone interested in the historical details concerning the Servetus execution and the role Calvin played, as well as what appear to be prior historical inaccuracies concerning this event (e.g. Calvin’s comments that the Churches were in agreement with his decision to execute Servetus, pg. 360 ff., and the claim that Calvin wanted the sword for Servetus, pg. 365 ff.), I recommend the following book, which can be read for free online.

Did Calvin Murder Servetus?

Especially interesting is the section entitled, Standard Excuses for Calvin, beginning on page 373. (July 30, 2009)

As someone has already said, read the amazing "Did Calvin Murder Servetus?" by Rives.  (April 30, 2009)

BE READY FOR A STUNNING AND DESPERATELY NEEDED PERSPECTIVE ON  WHETHER OR NOT CALVIN MURDERED SERVETUS. THE FOLLOWING LINK IS AN ESSENTIAL READ FOR ANYONE SEEKING AFTER TRUTH ON THIS HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC. [In Rives Did Calvin Murder Servetus?] A lawyer of Reformed training (Rives) carefully examines the case, and puts John Calvin on trial for the alleged murder of Michael Servetus. Carefully examine the evidence and the facts provided and decide for yourself whether Calvin is innocent or guilty on the charges of murder in the first degree. (Vox, Jan. 21, 2009).

Still reading the book. After considering the evidence presented, thus far, it seems very clear to me that John Calvin had a darkened heart, not enlightened as some would like us to believe. John Calvin's hatred for Servetus, blinded him in a spiritual sense, which also spiritually hindered him to rightly divide the word of truth. (Feb. 9, 2009.)

This book of erudition by Stanford Rives Esq. is the definitive account of the murder of Michael Servetus by the false reformer, John Calvin. (Brian Baker, Aug. 25. 2009).

[Rives presents] that the accusation [by Calvin that Servetus was] “antitrinitarian” is just meant to make sure that Servetus gets the capital punishment for blasphemy. The Justinian Codex is not in effect in Geneva and Servetus ’sin’ is heresy-not blasphemy which Calvin keeps obfuscating before the Little Council. This is damning evidence against Calvin. He is really truly just a  man-and not our Lord. But we should not throw his doctrine out immediately-but we must be cautious in using his words in explaining and maintaining it. We must remain within Scriptural bounds-especially about double predestination or reprobation. (R.A. Rodriguez April 5, 2009)

This is the most important knol I have ever seen. www.dekentering.com [Link inactive]

John Calvin and Servetus So, I have been reading about these two, and it's just appalling! I read on wikipedia about it first then I searched google books and came up with this well-researched and cited book: Did John Calvin Murder Servetus?

http://books.google.com/books?id=MlPrYQ5srKEC  You can read the whole book on google books... just click "read this book" under the cover...
Anyways... reading this book I am like . I had heard previous accusations of Calvin being a murderer, but I did not have any idea of who, what, where, when, or why these accusations were made... after reading this book it's astonishing that reformed churches even claim the name of Calvin when it appears he NEVER repented of he did in 1553. (June 8, 2007 Alberta, Canada.)

Authonomy Reviews

I found reading Calvin/Servetus particularly interesting as I am currently studying theology undergrad. My area is more philosophy but we learnt about this episode in Church History last year. So a true pleasure to read and back your book! :) Eamo 2/2010.

Standford,I'm not mentally equipped to comment on the content of this highly specialized, intellectual piece. However, to me it seems really well organised and clearly you have done a great deal of research. It is a brave venture, and one that I'm sure will be well received by scholars and those well versed in the subject. However, I am pleased to comment on the writing. The prose is elegant, well paced, and flows smoothly. The tone and language are just right for the subject, and the syntax is impeccable. Backed, with admiration. Sheila (Pinpoint) (link) (2/21/2010.)

 Overall this is clearly a great effort and more than I could ever manage! Well done and backed :) Eamon W. (2/21/2010.)

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