SOURCE: "Calvin's Critique of Calvinism," in The Dawn of the Reformation: Essays in Late Medieval and Early Reformation Thought, T. & T. Clark, Ltd, 1986, pp. 259-68.

In the following excerpt, originally delivered as a lecture, Oberman treats Calvinism as a movement made up of various traditions and schools of thought that are not necessarily in agreement with their namesake. Oberman believes that a study of the Reformer—especially in the areas of his humanism, issues of renewal and unity, the eucharist, science, piety, and state theory—leads to "Calvin critiquing Calvinism."

The theme of our conference as it was originally announced reads: "Reformed Higher Educational Institutions as a Bulwark for the Kingdom of God—Present and Future". And here I am, representing a professedly neutral institution, intended as a bulwark for progress, not for the Kingdom of God, a univeritsy soon to celebrate its 500th birthday, and an Institute...