What is the nature of man's fall? For Calvin the answer was 'total.' As the old McGuffy reader put it, 'In Adam's fall we fell all.'
 
Because human nature is 'corrupted,' Calvin believed that there must be a system of 'checks and balances' to protect people from the abuse of power. Distrusting the concentration of power, the followers of Calvin (pilgrims) came to America with an agenda: "no Pope and no King."

The church realized this system of 'checks and balances' by separating the roles of clergy and laity - clergy were ordained as 'teaching elders,' while the laity were ordained as 'ruling elders.' In separating the teaching function from the governing function, abuse of power by clerics was 'checked.'

 

In the Colonies, as Calvinists gained influence, their desire for a separation of powers and a system of checks and balances gave birth to a Constitution modeled after Calvin's principles. (Note the similarities between the Presbyterian form of government and the form of government of the United Sates).   
 
Calvin may be 500 years old, but his thought still permeates modern life - both in the church and in society.