History

Romand Theologians

The great Protestant theologians of French-speaking Switzerland — Calvin, Barth, Cullmann.

1509-1564Calvin

1886-1968Barth

1902-1999Cullmann

UNIGE/UNILcontemp.

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The Romand theologians form a rich Protestant intellectual tradition. Calvin (Geneva), Barth (Basel), and Cullmann (Basel/UNIL) are its defining figures.

Jean Calvin (1509-1564) — Geneva

Institutio Christianae Religionis (1536-1559): systematic Reformed theology. Ecclesiastical Ordinances (1541): four offices. Double predestination. Spiritual eucharistic presence. 75 million Reformed worldwide.

Karl Barth (1886-1968) — Basel

Most influential Protestant theologian of the 20th century. Kirchliche Dogmatik (13 volumes, TVZ). Der Romerbrief (1919): break with liberal theology. Barmen Declaration (1934).

Oscar Cullmann (1902-1999) — Basel/UNIL

Lutheran theologian at Basel/Paris/UNIL Lausanne. Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the Dead? (1956). Christ and Time (1946). Official observer at Vatican II.

Name	Institution	Specialty
Irena Backus	UNIGE	History of exegesis, Reformed confessions
Thomas Romer	UNIL/CdF	Pentateuch, Israelite religion
Daniel Marguerat	UNIL	NT, Acts, Paul
Pierre Gisel	UNIL	Systematic theology
Luc Bulundwe	UNIGE	NT, Johannine literature

Calvin

Who is Calvin?

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Jean Calvin (1509-1564), Geneva. Institutio (1536-1559), Ordinances (1541), double predestination, spiritual presence. 75 million Reformed worldwide.

Barth

Who is Karl Barth?

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Karl Barth (1886-1968), Basel. Kirchliche Dogmatik (13 vols). Most influential Protestant theologian of the 20th c. Barmen Declaration (1934).

Cullmann

Who is Oscar Cullmann?

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Lutheran theologian (1902-1999), Basel/UNIL. Immortality of the Soul (1956). Official observer at Vatican II.

Q1Who are the most important Romand theologians?▾

Calvin (1509-1564, Geneva): Institutio, Presbyterian governance. Barth (1886-1968, Basel): KD, Barmen. Cullmann (1902-1999, Basel/UNIL): salvation history. Contemporary: Backus (UNIGE), Romer (UNIL), Marguerat (UNIL).

Ref.: Calvin. Institutio (1559); Barth. KD (TVZ); Cullmann. (1956) [Basel/UNIL].

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Romand Theologians

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Which work by Calvin most systematically expounds Reformed theology?

AEcclesiastical Ordinances (1541)

BInstitutio Christianae Religionis (1536-1559)

CCommentary on Romans (1539)

D95 Theses (1517)

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Calvin's Institutio (1536-1559) is the most complete systematic exposition of Reformed theology.

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📚 Further reading

Key references

McGrath, Alister E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 6th ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2016. Standard academic introduction.

Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine. 5 vols. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971–1989. Major reference work on the history of Christian doctrine.

MacCulloch, Diarmaid. A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years. London: Penguin, 2010. Accessible scholarly history.

16th c.

Protestant Reformation — Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Cranmer

17th c.

Confessional consolidation — Westminster, Dort, Formula of Concord

18th c.

Pietism, Enlightenment, Methodist revival

19th c.

Missionary movement, biblical criticism, liberal theology

20th c.

Barth, ecumenism (WCC Geneva 1948), Vatican II (1962-1965)

Bibliography / Bibliographie / Bibliografia

Swiss-Romand theologians -- primary sources

Farel, Guillaume. Sommaire et brève déclaration (1525).
Calvin, Jean. Institutio Christianae Religionis (1559). CO 2.
Beza, Theodore. Confessio Christianae Fidei (1560).
Vinet, Alexandre. Études évangéliques (1845).
Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. 13 vols. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1956-1975.
Brunner, Emil. Dogmatics. 3 vols. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1950-1962.
Cullmann, Oscar. Christ and Time. London: SCM, 1951.
Cullmann, Oscar. Salvation in History. London: SCM, 1967.

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