The study examines the understanding of the glory of God in the thought of John Calvin. The
examination is carried out from the historical observation in the first part and the systematic
evaluation in the second part. The author describes the development of the concept of gloria
Dei in Calvin's Institutes as well as its significant role as a counterpart to the major
Christian doctrines. Following a survey of the historical background the presence of gloria
Dei in the first second and last editions of the Institutes is discussed. In the systematic
part the concept of gloria Dei is analyzed in the context of its dynamic presence throughout
the central doctrines such as the doctrine of creation anthropology Christology soteriology
eschatology and ecclesiology. The systematic evaluation shows that gloria Dei is one of the
loudest cantus firmi in Calvin's theological composition.
