John Calvin's Portrayal of Francis I as a Minister

Abstract

The 1536 dedication of John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion to Francis I describes the work as both a “confession” and an “apology” of Christian faith. Calvin strives to negotiate between old and new regimes of Church and state, but the language of reform betrays any semblance of respect for the established order. This study will examine how Calvin redefines in a subtle way princely identity when he calls Francis a minister in the dedicatory letter.