FILE - In this April 14 2005 file picture busts of John Calvin seen in a Geneva, Switzerland. John Calvin, the Great Reformer, used dictatorial means in making Geneva a "Protestant Rome" but planted the seeds of modern democracy. He enforced rigid morality, stressed social solidarity but also had a share in developing capitalism. He supported the destruction of religious statues and other images, but described arts as gifts of God. This, in simple terms, seems the consensus in assessing facets of Calvin's role in history by theologians and historians in countless lectures, studies and biographies half a millennium after he was born on July 10, 1509. AP Photo logo AP Photo 5 months ago

FILE - In this April 14 2005 file picture busts of John Calvin seen in a Geneva, Switzerland. John Calvin, the Great Reformer, used dictatorial means in making Geneva a "Protestant Rome" but planted the seeds of modern democracy. He enforced rigid morality, stressed social solidarity but also had a share in developing capitalism. He supported the destruction of religious statues and other images, but described arts as gifts of God. This, in simple terms, seems the consensus in assessing facets of Calvin's role in history by theologians and historians in countless lectures, studies and biographies half a millennium after he was born on July 10, 1509.

More Photos of John Calvin

View as Grid »

  1. French European MP Catherine Trautmann (2ndR) gives a speech near the president of the Protestant Federation Pierre Joxe (C) and Senate president Gerard Larcher (L) during a debate on the theme 'Protestants in the political life' on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. Protestants gather in Strasbourg until November 1, for the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event organized by the Protestant Federation as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth, an influential figure in the historic schism of Christianity.

Explore Photos of Related Topics

  1. A member of the Senate of France, representing the Bas-Rhin department, Philippe Richert attends the opening ceremony of the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. To be held until November 1, the event is organized by the Protestant Federation of France as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth and is the first event of its kind in France.
  2. President of the regional council of the Alsace region, Andre Reichardt attends the opening ceremony of the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. To be held until November 1, the event is organized by the Protestant Federation of France as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth and is the first event of its kind in France.
  3. President of the Protestant Federation of France, pastor Claude Baty (3rdR) gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. To be held until November 1, the event is organized by the Protestant Federation of France as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth and is the first event of its kind in France.
  4. French Senate president Gerard Larcher gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. To be held until November 1, the event is organized by the Protestant Federation of France as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth and is the first event of its kind in France.
  5. French Senate president Gerard Larcher (R) gives a speech during the opening ceremony of the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. To be held until November 1, the event is organized by the Protestant Federation of France as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth and is the first event of its kind in France.
  6. French European MP Catherine Trautmann (2ndR) gives a speech near the president of the Protestant Federation Pierre Joxe (C) and Senate president Gerard Larcher (L) during a debate on the theme 'Protestants in the political life' on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. Protestants gather in Strasbourg until November 1, for the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event organized by the Protestant Federation as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth, an influential figure in the historic schism of Christianity.
  7. French European MP Catherine Trautmann (R) gives a speech near the president of the Protestant Federation Pierre Joxe and Senate president Gerard Larcher (L) during a debate on the theme 'Protestants in the political life' on October 30, 2009 at the Saint-Thomas church in Strasbourg, eastern France. Protestants gather in Strasbourg until November 1, for the 'Protestant en fete' (Protestants Celebrate) event organized by the Protestant Federation as part of commemoration of the 500th anniversary of John Calvin�s birth, an influential figure in the historic schism of Christianity.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Former Congo Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba is seen at the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. International Criminal Court appeals judges reversed a decision to release Jean-Pierre Bemba from custody, ordering him to stay in jail until his trial. The court in August ordered Bemba freed, saying he would otherwise spend too much time in custody after his arrest in May 2008. Bemba is accused of murder, torture and hundreds of cases of rape when his militia intervened in a bloody power struggle in neighboring Central Africa Republic.
  2. Former Congo Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, left, is seen at the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. International Criminal Court appeals judges reversed a decision to release Jean-Pierre Bemba from custody, ordering him to stay in jail until his trial. The court in August ordered Bemba freed, saying he would otherwise spend too much time in custody after his arrest in May 2008. Bemba is accused of murder, torture and hundreds of cases of rape when his militia intervened in a bloody power struggle in neighboring Central Africa Republic.
  3. A Chinese honor guard waits for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to arrive in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. Harper arrived to China for what Chinese experts are touting as a fence-mending trip to repair ties damaged by Ottawa. China-Canada relations have soured over a series of disagreements, especially since Harper's Conservative government took office nearly four years ago with a harder line on China's human rights record.
  4. Former Congo Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, back row left, is seen at the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. International Criminal Court appeals judges reversed a decision to release Jean-Pierre Bemba from custody, ordering him to stay in jail until his trial. The court in August ordered Bemba freed, saying he would otherwise spend too much time in custody after his arrest in May 2008. Bemba is accused of murder, torture and hundreds of cases of rape when his militia intervened in a bloody power struggle in neighboring Central Africa Republic.
  5. Former Congo Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, left, is seen at the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. International Criminal Court appeals judges reversed a decision to release Jean-Pierre Bemba from custody, ordering him to stay in jail until his trial. The court in August ordered Bemba freed, saying he would otherwise spend too much time in custody after his arrest in May 2008. Bemba is accused of murder, torture and hundreds of cases of rape when his militia intervened in a bloody power struggle in neighboring Central Africa Republic.
  6. The church of Saint Domenico is seen from the observation platform in downtown Perugia December 2, 2009.
  7. Shattered glass lies on the pavement as a naval personnel collects body parts from the site of a suicide bomb attack in Islamabad December 2, 2009. The suicide bomber blew himself up outside Pakistan's naval headquarters Wednesday, killing one wounding at least 11 people, police said.
  8. Pakistani officials gather at the site of a suicide bombing at the entrance of Pakistan's navy headquarters in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. A suicide bomber set off explosives he was carrying outside the entrance of the headquarters Wednesday, killing at least one security guard and wounding some three others, police said.
  9. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Kevin Pietersen of England during the England team fitness session on the beach on December 2, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.
  10. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Andrew Strauss of England during the England team fitness session on the beach on December 2, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.
  11. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Paul Collingwood of England during the England team fitness session on the beach on December 2, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.
  12. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Paul Collingwood of England and Andrew Strauss of England during the England team fitness session on the beach on December 2, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.
  13. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Matt Prior of England during the England team fitness session on the beach on December 2, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.
  14. DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 02: Andrew Strauss of England during the England team fitness session on the beach on December 2, 2009 in Durban, South Africa.
  15. Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom (C) talks with Japan's Prince Akishino (R) and Princess Kiko before a reception at the Hungary Embassy in Tokyo December 2, 2009.
  16. A naval personnel collects body parts from the site of a suicide bombing outside Pakistan's naval headquarters in Islamabad December 2, 2009. The suicide bomber blew himself up outside Pakistan's naval headquarters Wednesday, killing one wounding at least 11 people, police said.