Wojciech Słomski. Epiphanius of Salamis as a precursor of John Calvin’s

Abstract: This article examines whether the Anablatha episode, preserved in Jerome’s Latin transmission of Epiphanius of Salamis’ letter, may be interpreted retrospectively as a precursor to
John Calvin’s iconoclastic Reformation. It expressly rejects any claim of genealogical dependence and instead proposes a typological comparison governed by the formula “analogy without
genealogy.” Combining close reading of primary sources with historical-theological analysis, the study situates Epiphanius’ removal of an image from a church within early Christian concerns about idolatry, sacred space, and the proper regulation of worship. It then considers the development of positive image theology through Basil of Caesarea’s distinction between image and prototype, John of Damascus’ Christological defence of material representation, the Second Council of Nicaea’s differentiation between veneration and divine worship, and Gregory the Great’s pastoral defence of the didactic use of images. Against this background, Calvin’s criticism of devotional images is reconstructed as a systematic theology of revelation, worship, and ecclesiastical discipline centred on Scripture, preaching, and the sacraments. The comparison reveals a functional convergence: both Epiphanius and Calvin regard images within liturgical space as capable of acquiring a cultic force exceeding their declared purpose and therefore favour preventive removal over pedagogical regulation. Nevertheless, decisive differences remain in historical context, Christology, ecclesiology, anthropology, and systematic scope. The article concludes that Epiphanius can be described as Calvin’s precursor only in a strictly retrospective and typological sense. Their similarity lies not in doctrinal continuity but in a shared pastoral logic concerning the interaction of visual media, sacred space, devotional practice, and the normative order of Christian worship.
Keywords: Epiphanius of Salamis; John Calvin; iconoclasm; veneration of images; Second Council of Nicaea; worship.