Important Themes for Calvin

Calvin had three Themes, which were very important for him;

-Theocracy(government by God)                                                                                                         While Luther was only focusing on a Reformation of the church. Was Calvin also strongly advocating a reformation in society. Everything should be to the glory of God was his opinion. Therefore also the law of state had to be based on the Bible. Based on the scriptures, Calvin considered the government to be an institution of God. In fact was the government `the minister of God`. Also should the church and the state be separated, both had his own task. They shouldn`t be dominating each other. Because both were to advance the coming of the Kingdom of God.

-The church as mother                                         

In Calvins opinion should the church be an instrument, by which God imparts His salvation to us. The Lord uses the ministry to covert people; they must be born again. That`s the reason why he called the church the mother. Also, believers aren`t allowed to separate themselves from the church without a very good reason. Because there is no salvation outside of the church. The only reason why you should leave is when a church has become a false church, than you should leave. And he said that a `true church` showed two characters. In such a church should the preaching and administrating be `pure`(biblical). Therefore had The Roman Catholic Church become a `false church`.

-The doctrine of predestination

This is the doctrine of the election and reprobation of man. To the question to whom man owes his salvation, Calvin answers that it is due the electing grace of God. In his institutes, Calvin writes`By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever He wished to happen with regard to every man. All aren`t created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation.` Not everyone did agree with this. Many said that it`s cruel and unjust doctrine. Because why does God choose on and reject another? However for Calvin was the doctrine a comfort. A believer who commits sin every day will doubt if he is one of God`s children. Yet he may believe so, because he knows that God loves him, and elected him… For Calvin this was just a fact because if God were not free to choose, than he wouldn`t be God! But God is sovereign. He is supreme and isn`t countable to any higher authority. But you should never think that because of this you can`t be saved. Because God said. That if you believe the Gospel. And believe with everything of your heart that Jesus is The Christ, than you will be saved!