SOURCE: " 'Initia Calvini': The Matrix of Calvin's Reformation," in Calvinus Sacrae Scripturae Professor: Calvin as Confessor of Holy Scripture, edited by Wilhelm H. Neuser, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994, pp. 113-54.

Approaching Calvin from a psychological and literary direction, Oberman looks at the strange reticience of Calvin to open himself up in his theological writings. This lack of self-disclosure sets him apart from the sometimes obtrusive ego of Luther, but may have aided in making Calvin "the compelling spokesman for all [Reformed Christians in the European diaspora. " This essay was first delivered as a lecture in 1990.]

 Quand je n'aurais pour moi père ni mère,
Quand je n'aurais aucun secours humain,
Le Tout-Puissant, en qui mon âme espère,
Pour me sauver me prendrait par la main.
Conduis-moi donc, ô Dieu, qui m'as aimé!

Délivre-moi de mes persécuteurs;
Ferme la bouche à mes accusateurs,
Ne permets pas...