At the initiative of the Dean of the School of Theology, Roland Meyer, Saleve Adventist University collaborated with Andrew's University to organize a symposium commemorating the 500th anniversary of the birth of Jean Calvin. The symposium was held May 7 – 9, 2009, on the premises of Saleve Adventist University and included lectures, discussions, visits to historical places in Geneva connected with the life and work of the reformer.
One part of the program included a panel composed of three professors from the University of Geneva, two professors from Andrew's University, one professor from the Friedensau Adventist University and three professors from the hosting institution. The panel discussed Calvin's contribution to theology, church, society and ultimately his influence on Adventism.
The initiator of the event, Roland Meyer, explained the reason for the symposium: “For months the Protestant world has been organizing events to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of the reformer John Calvin. Our school could not ignore this date, since Adventist theology draws some of its origins from Calvinistic thought and because our institution is located less than 10 km from Geneva. I took the initiative to organize this symposium with the support of my colleagues at the Andrew's University in the United States, Professor Jiri Moskala and Dean Denis Fortin. The ties we have with Friedensau Adventist University in Germany naturally brought about the invitation for historian Thomas Domanyi to join us.
“Our friends from the University of Geneva, Professor Michel Grandjean and historian Marc Vial, were essential to the success of such an undertaking. The support of the bookstore Payot in Geneva has been greatly appreciated through collaboration with the theologian Jean-Pierre Meynard. Some professors of our institution have been invited to participate as well - professor of the Old Testament, Marcel Ladislas; church historian and director of the E. G. White Research Center, Jean-Luc Rolland, as well as the theologian Richard Lehmann.
“My goals in organizing the event were manifold. First, I wanted to give our students the opportunity to listen to outstanding experts. I also wanted to initiate the collaboration of specialists from different universities. Finally, I wanted the public to obtain an idea of Calvin's enormous contribution to the reformation. This symposium has achieved all of these objectives. The quality of the lectures and the level of discussions have been remarkable.”
According to Richard Lehmann, former rector of SAU, "This was an occasion to return to the roots of the Reformation, of which we are heirs, and a reminder of the great themes uncovered by the reformation: salvation by faith alone, Scripture as the sole source of authority, sanctification as a necessary result of justification, and a society following the Christian ideal - all of which are still valid 500 years later. "
Saleve Adventist University plans to publish a booklet containing all the lectures presented at the symposium. As Denis Fortin, dean of theology at Andrew's University, commented, "This was a great initiative with ample contributions."
Historical editions of books by J. Calvin once owned by J. N. Andrews.
