Letters of John Calvin V: Letters of John Calvin V: The Reformer’s Love and Loss
About this episode
This episode explores John Calvin's marriage and personal life through an article by Michael Nelson, highlighting his humanity and faith amidst loss and suffering.
This week Dr. John Snyder continues our series on the letters of John Calvin, one of the most influential figures of the Protestant Reformation. In this episode, we take a different approach: instead of reading a single letter, we explore an article by Michael Nelson in Credo Magazine (link below) that sheds light on Calvin’s marriage and personal life. Nelson’s article traces Calvin’s search for a godly wife, his thoughtful approach to finding her, and how God graciously provided her. Through these events, we witness Calvin’s humanity, humility, and dependence on God—qualities that shaped both his personal life and his ministry. We also see Calvin’s pastoral heart become deeply personal as he faces the loss of children and eventually the death of his gentle bride. It is a story of tragedy and comfort, grief and solace, revealing how faith sustains a believer even through the heaviest trials. We pray this episode, unique in the series, gives you a deeper appreciation for John Calvin, his writings, and the faith he modeled in the midst of suffering. May it encourage you to read his letters and reflect on the steadfast God he followed through all circumstances. Show Notes Michael…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. John Snyder
Topics covered
- John Calvin
- Protestant Reformation
- marriage
- personal life
- faith
- loss
- grief
Keywords
- John Calvin
- letters
- marriage
- faith
- loss
- grief
- Protestant Reformation
- humility
- personal life
- Credo Magazine
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Credo Magazine
More episodes of The Whole Counsel
- Praying Together III: Priming the Pump (Originally Published 4.10.25)
- Praying Together I: Digging the Well (Originally Published 03.27.25)
- Letters of Samuel Rutherford IV: Assurance of Faith
- Letters of Samuel Rutherford III: Dark World, Fair Jesus
- Letters of Samuel Rutherford II: No Poison in Christ’s Cup
- Letters of Samuel Rutherford I: Six People Who will Benefit
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