--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Calvinism is an all-embracing system of…" description: "\"Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It is rooted in a form of religion which was peculiarly its own, and form that specific religious..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png" --- # Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It… ![“Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It is rooted in a form of religion which was peculiarly its own, and form that specific religious consciousness there was developed first a particular theology, then a special church-order, and then a given form for political and social life.” quote by Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png) > “Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It is rooted in a form of religion which was peculiarly its own, and form that specific religious consciousness there was developed first a particular theology, then a special church-order, and then a given form for political and social life.” [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calvinism presents a comprehensive worldview linking theology, church structure, and societal organization. **In simple terms:** It blends faith with politics and culture. Key Takeaway Consider how belief systems shape social institutions. Themes theology politics culture social order Mood analytical critical thoughtful Type theoretical philosophical When to use this quote - political debates - church councils - academic courses - community planning Key Concepts doctrine church governance social ethics Questions to Reflect On - Can a single doctrine adequately address diverse societies? - How to balance faith with civic pluralism? A Different Perspective Rigid frameworks may ignore pluralism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calvinism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvinism/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-life/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) ## Related quotes > [In a nation as dynamic and diverse as the United States, what makes us great is that our founding principles are rooted in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/in-a-nation-as-dynamic-and-diverse-as-the-united-states-what-makes-us/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [“No one book of scripture can be understood by itself, any more than any one part of a tree or member of the body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/no-one-book-of-scripture-can-be-understood-by-itself-any-more-than/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make men rejoice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/there-is-not-one-blade-of-grass-there-is-no-color-in-this-world-that/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“No man that ever lived, not John Calvin himself, ever asserted either original sin, or justification by faith, in more strong, more clear and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/no-man-that-ever-lived-not-john-calvin-himself-ever-asserted-either/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [“We should consider that the brightness of the Divine countenance, which even an apostle declares to be inaccessible, (1Ti 6: 16) is a kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/we-should-consider-that-the-brightness-of-the-divine-countenance/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“No man has the right to rule over another man, otherwise such a right necessarily, and immediately becomes the right of the strongest. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/no-man-has-the-right-to-rule-over-another-man-otherwise-such-a-right/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [“The domain of Calvinism is indeed far broader than the narrow confessional interpretation would lead us to suppose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/the-domain-of-calvinism-is-indeed-far-broader-than-the-narrow/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [“...Calvinism has a sharply-defined starting-point of its own for the three fundamental relations of all human existence: viz., our relation to God, to man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/calvinism-has-a-sharply-defined-starting-point-of-its-own-for-the/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [Lutheranism restricted itself to an exclusively ecclesiastical and theological character, while Calvinism put its impress in and outside the church upon every aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/lutheranism-restricted-itself-to-an-exclusively-ecclesiastical-and/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [Calvinism is the consistent endeavor to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/calvinism-is-the-consistent-endeavor-to-acknowledge-the-creator-as/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [“Ah! Gentle, gracious Dove, And art thou grieved in me, That sinners should restrain thy love, And say, “It is not free: It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/ah-gentle-gracious-dove-and-art-thou-grieved-in-me-that-sinners/) [Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/) > [My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-haddon/my-hope-arises-from-the-freeness-of-grace-and-not-from-the-freedom-of/) [Charles Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-haddon/) > [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [“Finally, the Reformers also agreed that worship should be in the vernacular and that the twofold structure of Word and sacrament be maintained. Zwingli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-webber/finally-the-reformers-also-agreed-that-worship-should-be-in-the/) [Robert E. Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-webber/) > [The alternative of hypothetical universalism, according to which Christ's work is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect, was alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-alternative-of-hypothetical-universalism-according-to-which/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) ## More by Abraham Kuyper > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [“Free love may try to dissolve, and the concubinate to desecrate, the holiest tie, as it pleases; but, for the vast majority of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/free-love-may-try-to-dissolve-and-the-concubinate-to-desecrate-the/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [Lutheranism restricted itself to an exclusively ecclesiastical and theological character, while Calvinism put its impress in and outside the church upon every aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/lutheranism-restricted-itself-to-an-exclusively-ecclesiastical-and/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [... we have gratefully to receive from the hand of God the institution of the state with its magistrates as a means of preservation……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/we-have-gratefully-to-receive-from-the-hand-of-god-the-institution-of/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [We understand hereby, that the family, the business, science, art and so forth are all social spheres, which do not owe their existence to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/we-understand-hereby-that-the-family-the-business-science-art-and-so/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [In the total expanse of human life there is not a single square inch of which the Christ, who alone is sovereign, does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/in-the-total-expanse-of-human-life-there-is-not-a-single-square-inch/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [“The domain of Calvinism is indeed far broader than the narrow confessional interpretation would lead us to suppose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/the-domain-of-calvinism-is-indeed-far-broader-than-the-narrow/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [When the principles that run against your deepest convictions begin to win the day, then the battle is your calling, and peace has become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/when-the-principles-that-run-against-your-deepest-convictions-begin/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [“We believe that our salvation depends solely upon God's work in us, and not upon our testimony; and the little child with stammering lips,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/we-believe-that-our-salvation-depends-solely-upon-god-s-work-in-us/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [There is not an inch of any sphere of life over which Jesus Christ does not say, 'Mine.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-is-not-an-inch-of-any-sphere-of-life-over-which-jesus-christ/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [The sovereignty of the state as the power that protects the individual and that defines the mutual relationships among the visible spheres, rises high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/the-sovereignty-of-the-state-as-the-power-that-protects-the/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-is-not-a-square-inch-in-the-whole-domain-of-our-human-existence/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [To have faith in the Word, Scripture must not grasp us in our critical thought, but in the life of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/to-have-faith-in-the-word-scripture-must-not-grasp-us-in-our-critical/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [What is hell other than a realm in which unholiness works without restraint in body and soul?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/what-is-hell-other-than-a-realm-in-which-unholiness-works-without/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [“Art cannot be excused from following God’s law, and art disgraces itself by seeking that freedom. Anything that cannot be put into an image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/art-cannot-be-excused-from-following-god-s-law-and-art-disgraces/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) [Explore all 41 Abraham Kuyper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) ## More Calvinism quotes > [“Finally, the Reformers also agreed that worship should be in the vernacular and that the twofold structure of Word and sacrament be maintained. Zwingli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-webber/finally-the-reformers-also-agreed-that-worship-should-be-in-the/) [Robert E. Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-webber/) > [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [Lutheranism restricted itself to an exclusively ecclesiastical and theological character, while Calvinism put its impress in and outside the church upon every aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/lutheranism-restricted-itself-to-an-exclusively-ecclesiastical-and/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-haddon/my-hope-arises-from-the-freeness-of-grace-and-not-from-the-freedom-of/) [Charles Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-haddon/) > [“Ah! Gentle, gracious Dove, And art thou grieved in me, That sinners should restrain thy love, And say, “It is not free: It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/ah-gentle-gracious-dove-and-art-thou-grieved-in-me-that-sinners/) [Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/) > [Calvinism is the consistent endeavor to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/calvinism-is-the-consistent-endeavor-to-acknowledge-the-creator-as/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [The alternative of hypothetical universalism, according to which Christ's work is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect, was alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-alternative-of-hypothetical-universalism-according-to-which/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [ What I am trying to argue here \[Save Calvinism\] and in other works before this one is that the Reformed tradition as I have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/what-i-am-trying-to-argue-here-save-calvinism-and-in-other-works/) [Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/) > [I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-would-rather-believe-a-limited-atonement-that-is-efficacious-for/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [During my academical life, and from this time forward, I was indefatigable in my search after truth. I read all the authors of greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/during-my-academical-life-and-from-this-time-forward-i-was/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [“Jonathan Edwards, the dear old soul, who, if his doctrine is true, is now in heaven rubbing his holy hands with glee, as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/jonathan-edwards-the-dear-old-soul-who-if-his-doctrine-is-true-is-now/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [Calvinism that does not humble has missed its mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-chantry/calvinism-that-does-not-humble-has-missed-its-mark/) [Walter J Chantry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-chantry/) > [For the Arminian, salvation is possible for all but certain for none. In the Calvinist position, salvation is sure for God's elect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/for-the-arminian-salvation-is-possible-for-all-but-certain-for-none/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Calvinism emphasizes divine sovereignty and free grace; Arminianism emphasizes human responsibility. The one restricts the saving grace to the elect: the other extends it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-schaff/calvinism-emphasizes-divine-sovereignty-and-free-grace-arminianism/) [Philip Schaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-schaff/) > [“The Cross of Christ is the Aroma of Life for the elect and the Aroma of Death for the reprobate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-raj-s/the-cross-of-christ-is-the-aroma-of-life-for-the-elect-and-the-aroma/) [Royal Raj S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-raj-s/) [Browse all 104 Calvinism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvinism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It is rooted in a form of religion which was peculiarly its own, and form that specific religious consciousness there was developed first a particular theology, then a special church-order, and then a given form for political and social life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abraham Kuyper" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of-principles-it-is-rooted-in-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Calvinism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of-principles-it-is-rooted-in-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/625/abraham-kuyper-15926_calvinism_calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of_1868480.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Calvinism is an all-embracing system of principles... It is rooted in a form of religion which was…” — Abraham Kuyper", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Abraham Kuyper", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Calvinism is an all-embracing system of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of-principles-it-is-rooted-in-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/calvinism-is-an-all-embracing-system-of-principles-it-is-rooted-in-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```