Calvin’s political theology in context

Abstract

ABSTRACT Calvin’s political doctrine stems from his ecclesiology, in response to both the Papal doctrine on the delegate power of the magistrates and the Lutheran subordination of the Church to the civil authorities. He was not concerned with discussing the best possible form of secular government, but rather with preparing a theological justification of civil power that would make it depend exclusively on God, not on the people. I will hold that Calvin regards the people’s function as merely instrumental: they accept the authority chosen by God, but do not institute it. Political vocation and the transmission of power that is indispensable to it both derive uniquely and exclusively from God. The discrepancies apparent in different authors’ interpretations can be clarified by recovering the context of his argumentation. This is the central objective of this article.