Kelly examines five church-state relations over a three-century period to show the impact of Calvin's thought on civil government. Though primarily a scholar, theologian, preacher and church statesman, Calvin showed a strong political concern throughout his life. His theology, the institutions it engendered, and the questions it raised have played a major role in shaping the post-Reformation world. Calvin's legacy continues to bear upon the issues that guide and agitate Western nations today.