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1) You question the credentials of CS Lewis, but forget the credentials of Calvin don't include much more. In fact, I'd argue that CS Lewis' credentials far outweigh Calvin's! Calvin wasn't a professor. Lewis was a professor for more than 30 years at Magdalene College, Oxford. That's because Lewis had a doctorate. Calvin merely graduated from law school at Orleans. Lewis graduated from Oxford, with what's called a "triple first", the highest honors possible for a graduate. No mention of Calvin's intellectual exploits are mentioned, as far as I can tell. Lewis studied Literature. Calvin studied law. You tell me which one makes for a better theologian. But taking that aside, surely you agree that on credentials alone, CS Lewis' are much stronger.

I daresay one can't rightly draw such a direct comparison between academic credentials awarded in the 20th Century and academic credentials awarded in the 16th Century. Be that as it may, you might consider that Calvin obtained his law degree in an era where many fewer men were educated. In addition, Calvin did have some background in theology as he was for awhile a philosophy student at the theological Collège de Montaigu at the University of Paris, until he was withdrawn by his father to study law at the University of Orlèans. He obtained a thorough humanist education there & was well-acquainted with classical scholarship. He went on in his life to publish a great many works, including commentaries on nearly every book in the Bible, and especially several editions of The Institutes of the Christian Religion, a work of such vigor & completeness that it is still today one of the preeminent scholarly works of the Protestant Reformation. He served as a pastor for 26 years in various cities, preaching thousands of sermons & frequently giving expository lectures on Scripture. He was influential in the drawing up of several confessions of faith, wrote a vast number of letters & tracts, and supported reforming & mission works across Europe. He carried on an active correspondence & friendship with several of the leading Reformers of his day, including Philip Melanchthon, Heinrich Bullinger, and William Farel. Surely you'll agree that Calvin may be forgiven for not having been a professor. Not to diminish Lewis' own worthy work, but it is more than clear that Calvin's credentials in the areas of biblical exposition, theology, & ecclesiology far outweigh anything C.S. Lewis accomplished in this regard.

Kyle

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.