Geneva’s Use of Lies, Deceit, and Simulation in Their Efforts to Reform France, 1536–1563

Abstract

The Genevan Reformation was subjected to a trenchant ethical critique during the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anabaptists,
and Radicals who identified both Calvin and Beza as unscrupulous, dishonest, and
immoral. By contrast, modern scholars have paid little attention to such matters.
They have either stated explicitly that both men were upright and honest in their
lives and ministries or implied it. A handful of scholars have, however, alluded to
dishonest conduct on their parts. The present article takes up this topic in detail,
looking particularly at Geneva’s ministry to France. It contends that duplicity
characterized Calvin and Beza’s French ministry between 1536 and 1563. It
commences by examining their understanding of mendacity, which provides the
standard for our analysis of their ministry. After outlining what Calvin and Beza
did to support and strengthen Calvinist churches in France, the article sets forth and
explains the system Calvin devised to hide their ministry from the French Catholic
government and probably from the Nicodemites as well. This system depended on
lies, deceit, and simulation.

Keywords: Geneva, deception, ministry, Calvinism, France

JEL Classification: Z12, H77