DId Calvinism have the greatest impact on History?

Answer 1

"The year 2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of the great Geneva Reformer John Calvin. With the exception of Martin Luther, no man has had more influence on the way the nations in the West view government, theology, and history than John Calvin. Though his views of Church government are the foundation for most Reformed and Presbyterian denominations, most are unaware that his teachings helped influence western liberty, culminating in the establishment of the United States' tri-partite system of government. Regrettably, few barley acknowledge his contribution. And when he is mentioned, he is often portrayed as a cold, emotionless scholar who sat in an ivory tower handing out death sentences against anyone who dared to disagree with him.

The truth, however, is better than fiction. Calvin's biographers tell us that he was a loving husband, a caring father and a passionate pastor. His basic religious beliefs involved faith alone for salvation, the universal priesthood of all believers, the absolute sovereignty of God, and The Bible as the basis for all Christian teachings. As Church historian Robert A. Baker observed,

"Calvin rejected all tradition and insisted on a fresh start from the direct teachings of Scripture. In addition, the Calvinistic system was more nearly self-consistent in its teaching and its methods. Its emphasis on God's predestination in human experience put iron into the souls of those who fought the Roman (Roman Catholic Church) system."" Every seminary student who earns a degree of any merit will become familiar with John Calvin and his 3 volume, "Institutes of the Christian Religion." In this systematic theology, Calvin elucidates the core beliefs of the Christian faith and documents the history of Christian thought by extensively citing patristic writings as well as ancient creeds and councils of the Christian church. Calvin also writes extensive commentaries on every book of the Old and New Testament (except the book of Revelation).