Geneva was an independent city in the country of Switzerland.

Where church and state were in a

union of rule, the very nature of the society seemed to be one where conformation was a
substitute for real transformation. Known for its education and reform it was a flourishing city,
yet had its vices of lasciviousness and immoral behavior. Simply declaring reformation, a change
in status of which church received the allegiance and union with the state, seems irrelevant to
me. I love Calvin’s mind and his intellectual prowess in developing doctrine and exegesis of the
Scriptures for people to learn and grow in their faith. However, how many true conversions took
place, time will tell.

The influence Geneva had both because of its cultural influence and commercial value made it
central to the beginnings of reform, but lacked clarity in developing that reform through the lack
unity with other reformers of the day and a clean break from what many thought apostate
Catholic belief regarding baptism and the union of church and state.

There are parallels to Geneva and our present time as a country, the United States of America.
For years, many have tried through coercion, policies and laws to bring our society to a point of
reformation in morality. The conscious efforts: To try to create a moral society, founded on
Biblical values, by any means. Would it be effective? Could a Geneva like society exist today?
My answer would have to be yes, but is it a truly Christian society based not just on Christian
values but on Christian redemption and conversion?

I have never agreed with the legislation of morals for individuals who are void of the knowledge
and grace of God. We are lawless apart from Christ, those who do not understand and embrace
the true Christianity based on the blood of Jesus Christ’s atonement. Does it mean we give up
and do not try to convert, no! Does it mean that it is impossible for the United States to become a
truly Christian nation, not just founded on the principles of Scripture, but really living out and
being Christian? No, it is possible but I am not so sure that is what will happen.

The church-state of Geneva could parallel a church state government here, but I am not sure it is
the goal of God in His economy of the church age to see an image of a Christian nation. To truly
be a nation that is Christian it must be that not from mere declaration, but by true conversion of
its people.