Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. In 2009, the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birth was marked with conferences, publications, and celebrations for a figure whose life and teachings continue to inspire curiosity and admiration, not to mention a fair share of disdain, worldwide. The study of Calvin's numerous contributions to the Reformation was augmented by a flourish of new research, which has enabled notable advances in Calvin studies. As Timothy Larsen points out, If this new chronology is adopted, then it leads to the ironic conclusion that, in a British context at least, secularization theory is older than secularization. In contrast, this book has been entitled 'Calvin Meets Voltaire' rather than 'Between Calvin and Voltaire' in order to highlight a metaphorical meeting of two minds and the complexity that emerges from that convergence.