Jeff states Calvin held to a Presbyterian ecclesiology…
That is fairly anachronistic. Furthermore, Calvin spoke highly of the Anglican episcopate.
If you follow Jeff’s thinking to the logical conclusion you will be excommunicating both John Owen and Thomas Goodwin from the Reformed camp.
Richard,
Calvin tolerated episcopacy (as did Beza) but he taught a version of presbyterial (note the lower case) polity. Look at the organization of the Genevan church.
As I read him, it seems to me that Calvin’s endorsement of the status quo in England was strategic. This is the only place where I think i agree with Alan Clifford!
Jeff states Calvin held to a Presbyterian ecclesiology…
That is fairly anachronistic. Furthermore, Calvin spoke highly of the Anglican episcopate.
If you follow Jeff’s thinking to the logical conclusion you will be excommunicating both John Owen and Thomas Goodwin from the Reformed camp.
Richard,
Calvin tolerated episcopacy (as did Beza) but he taught a version of presbyterial (note the lower case) polity. Look at the organization of the Genevan church.
As I read him, it seems to me that Calvin’s endorsement of the status quo in England was strategic. This is the only place where I think i agree with Alan Clifford!