John Calvin was a powerful French theologian and pastor. He was one of the most figures of the Protestant Reform movement in sixteenth century Europe. Although he is considered to be the successor to German reformer Martin Luther, he was an independent thinker and his doctrine, known as Calvinism, differed to a large extent from Luther’s. He came in to contact with Renaissance humanism while studying law at the University of Bourges. It influenced him so much that he decided to devote his life to its propagation. However, he could not work in France and was forced to flee after a violent uprising against the Protestants. Eventually he was persuaded by William Farrel to help him to reform churches in Geneva. The job was not at all easy and he had to face lots of opposition and dissent before he could bring in the desired reforms. Politically, he worked to safeguard the interest of the general public and believed that although the state and church are separate, they must work together for the benefit of the people.