Luther's Influence on Calvin's political Transformation

Authors

  • Dr. Tjahyadi Chandra, M.Th., D.Th. -

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.8888/ijospl.v6i4.237

Keywords:

Protestant Reformation; City Of God; The Principles Of Government; Theocracy; Calvinism; Pemerintahan Sipil, Negara dan Gereja, Two Kingdoms.

Abstract

The significance of John Calvin for modern times is clearly expressed in these words: "The sixteenth century was an extraordinary century”. Of all the people who made this century great, only Calvin has made broad contributions to the wider country. Calvinism is the name given to the system of thought that was revealed to us by John Calvin. He is recognized as the main initiator of this system, even though he is not the creator of the ideas contained in it. Calvin's theological views, along with other great leaders of the Protestant Reformation (Augustine and Martin Luther), are known as the rise of Augustinianism, which in turn is the same as the revival of the teachings of the Apostle Paul. But it was Calvin who first presented the basics of this view for modern times, in the systematic form and with the special application that we know from his time as Calvinism. Calvinism does not limit itself to theology; Calvinism is a comprehensive system of thought, which includes views on politics, society, science, and art, in addition to theology. A Calvinist tries to apply the truth of the Scriptures. Calvinism does not stop at the church structure, but extends within one system of life, and Calvinism elevates Christianity to the highest spiritual beauty; Calvinism created the church structure, which was a prerequisite for the confederate state; Calvinism developed a political scheme, which gave birth to constitutional government, both in Europe and in America; Calvinism promotes holiness through high moral standards in our social environment. Calvinism places under Church and State, under society and household circles, a strict philosophical conception. This dissertation is written in a qualitative method, "analyzing the data collected in the study, the main findings resulting from the data analysis". Qualitative research usually uses descriptive methods such as observation, data study, using data that can be analyzed through data or literature studies. This dissertation is written from the background of John Calvin's life, his conversion, even since he was a child, Calvin was happy to study law. The author explains the historical context of the institute, as well as the influence of the concept of civil government from Augustine (City of God) and Martin Luther (Two Kingdoms); the explanation is continued with the concept of civil government according to John Calvin, through the principles of government, also explains Calvin's ideas in relation to theocracy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Battles, F. L. (trans.), Institution of the Christian Religion (Atlanta, 1975. 1541)

Berkhof H., & Enklaar I.H., Sejarah Gereja (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 1997).

Calvini, Ioannis,Instutio Religionis Christianae,Basel, 1536, trans. John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion,terj.Ford Lewis Battles,ed.rev.(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986).

, Institutio, Pengajaran Agama Kristen, (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 1980).

, Institutes of the Christian Religion ,2001.

Duffield, John, ed. John Calvin. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1966).

Enns, Paul, The Moody Handbook of Theology, buku pegangan teologi, jilid 1 & 2, (Malang: Literatur SAAT, 2006).

End, Th. Van den, Harta Dalam Bejana, (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 1982).

Fuhrmann, Paul T.,“Philip Mornay and the Huguenot Challenge to Absolutism” dalam Calvinism and the Political Order,ed.George L.Hunt, (Philadephia:Westminster Press, 1965).

Gargill Thompson, W. D. J., 'The "Two Kingdoms" and the "Two dies in the Reformation: Luther to Hooker, ed. C. W. Dugmore,(London, 1980).

Hopfl,Harro,The Christian Polity of John Calvin,(Cambridge:Cambridge University Press, 1982).

Jonge C., De, Apa itu Calvinisme ?, (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 2015).

Kristanto, Billy, ed., Aspek-Aspek Dalam Pemikiran John Calvin, (Surabaya: Penerbit Momentum,2012).

Mangisi SE. Simorangkir, Ajaran Dua Kerajaan Luther, (Pematang siantar: kalportase pusat GKPI; 2008).

McQueen, J., “The Origin and Dynamics of Society and the State According to St. Augustine”, (Augustinian Studies 4,1973).

McGrath,Alister, E., A Life of John Calvin,Cambridge, (MA: Basil Blackwell, Ltd, 1990).

., Sejarah Pemikiran Reformasi, (Jakarta: BPK Gnung Mulia, 1997).

Meeter, H. Henry, Pandangan-Pandangan Dasar Calvinisme, (Surabaya: Penerbit Momentum, 2014).

Norton, T. (trans.), Institution of the Christian Religion,(London, 1561).the first translation into English.

Selderhuis, Herman J., Buku Pegangan Calvin, (Surabaya: Penerbit Momentum, 2017).

Published

2025-11-17

How to Cite

Chandra, T. (2025). Luther’s Influence on Calvin’s political Transformation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL, POLICY AND LAW, 6(4), 77-89. https://doi.org/10.8888/ijospl.v6i4.237