Painting of John Calvin. Photo by Calvin Bryant for Wikimedia Commons
French theologian John Calvin became one of the most influential figures to participate in the Protestant Reformation and he impacted the church by developing his own doctrine of beliefs unique to the religious scene of his time.
According to National Geographic, the Protestant Reformation movement began in the 1500s, in an effort to separate from the Catholic Church’s doctrine and develop their own branch of Christianity.
Calvin’s reasons for joining the Reformation came from his studies of prominent figures, like Martin Luther, who set the Protestant Reformation in motion. Luther’s studies and influence led to Calvin producing his own belief system in the form of a book, known as “The Institutes of Christian Religion,” according to Missouri State University’s website.
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Institute of Christian Religion
In 1536, Calvin published the first version of “Institutes of Christian Religion,” introducing instructions on how to read the Bible. This developed into multiple volumes of Calvin’s writings on the structural system of Christianity, as stated in The Collector.
Calvin divided his volume of work into four books that illustrated different topics of Christianity.
The Westminster Seminary California provides an overview of Calvin’s structure in each book.
The first book focused on the Father; the second book explains how God reconciles with his people through Jesus Christ, and the third book developed theology on the Holy Spirit as a provider of faith. Lastly, Calvin’s fourth book shares how Christ helps individuals attend and care for their faith.
Book four emphasizes the sacraments and how they bring people back to Jesus. It focuses on using the Bible to explain God’s complete control and His actions within the world.
Calvin continued to expand on these ideas as he progressed through his writing and completed his final publication in 1559, according to The Collector.
Calvin’s writings influenced Protestant Christians and leaders. This resulted in Calvin teaching the “Institute of Christian Religion” throughout Geneva, as explained by Calvin University.
Calvin’s beliefs
Along with Calvin’s publication of the “Institute of Christian Religion,” he preached other beliefs during the Protestant Reformation.
Calvin’s work within the volumes revealed his tenets in the Christian faith when he spoke on the topic of predestination. The doctrine of predestination is composed of the belief that God had already chosen those who would be eternally saved.
Calvin stressed the doctrine of predestination throughout his teachings, as he believed God pre-established everyone’s salvation.
Calvin's emphasis on God’s sovereignty meant that people could not work up to salvation because of the authority placed on God alone, according to the John Calvin website.
Furthermore, Calvin shared his opinion on the Church in his fourth book, “The Institutes of Christian Religion”: “The power of the Church, therefore, is not infinite, but is subject to the word of the Lord, and, as it were, included in it.”
Calvin believed that the Church could only be dependent upon God’s words. He viewed the Church as being independent from earthly figures and control.
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Impact on the Church
Calvin’s influence impacted the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in other Reformers practicing his ideas and theology. Many believers reformed their churches and steered away from the structure that Roman Catholic churches followed.
Calvin’s impact created a new way of viewing theology and the Church, which encouraged the study and practice of God’s words instead of submitting sole doctrinal power to other individuals in the church. Calvin’s works and doctrines served as a central foundation for many future Protestant churches, according to the John Calvin website.
Calvin continued to serve as a prominent figure to Protestant believers until he died in 1564 in Geneva.
His writings leave behind the mark of a significant leader of the Reformation movement and a glimpse of the future’s different way of doing church.
Jasmin Enriquez is an English Literature student at Trevecca Nazarene University. She hopes to pursue a career in journalistic writing and editing. She enjoys writing meaningful works that provide unique perspectives.
