John Calvin’s worldview changed the world

John Calvin is one of those towering figures in Christian history that many feel they know, but digging deeper reveals much more. Like many, I first associated Calvin with the TULIP acronym representing Calvinist theology. But interestingly, Calvin never created that acronym. For years, I thought it summed him up, but it’s just a small sliver of his influence.

Most think of Calvin primarily as a theologian, but he was first and foremost a pastor. Yes, he wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion, a work of profound theological depth, but his heart was for shepherding people. His sermons took that deep theology and broke it down into simple, practical teaching for everyday life. That distinction—between pastor and theologian—defined his ministry.

Calvin’s entire life was focused on the glory of God. Romans 11:36—“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever”—summarizes his worldview. For Calvin, if theology starts to elevate man or human desires, it goes wrong. God must be at the center, acknowledging his supremacy and sovereignty.

Calvin’s influence went beyond theology. He rejected the medieval notion that only priests had holy callings, teaching that every vocation—from king to coal miner—was ordained by God. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1Co 10:31). His worldview also transformed education. He believed everyone, not just the elite, should have access to learning, especially the Bible. He even started a university in Geneva where the Bible was central to the curriculum, influencing thinkers like Thomas Jefferson.

Calvin’s teachings also shaped economics and governance. He saw the free market as rooted in Scripture and advocated for balanced law and justice based on God’s law. Calvin was one of the first to articulate ideas like the separation of powers and democratic elections, which would later shape Western political thought.

At the core of all his reforms was Calvin’s belief in the authority of Scripture. He centered his church around the Word of God, moving the pulpit to the middle to show its importance. For Calvin, the Bible wasn’t just something to read. It is the means by which God speaks.

Calvin’s theology, especially his understanding of God’s sovereignty, wasn’t abstract. It shaped how he saw everything—work, justice, and governance. Though some find him polarizing, Calvin’s influence is undeniable. If you want to explore more, his commentaries are a great place to start—rich, practical, and centered on the glory of God.

Recommended reading

John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology edited by Burk Parsons

The Legacy of John Calvin: His Influence on the Modern World by David W. Hall

A Theological Guide to Calvin's Institutes: Essays and Analysis edited by David W. Hall and Peter A. Lillback

John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey

Calvin's Theology of the Psalms by Herman J. Selderhuis