 The first statement in the Institutes acknowledges its central theme . It states that the sum of human wisdom consists of two parts : the knowledge of God and of ourselves . Calvin argues that the knowledge of God is not inherent in humanity nor can it be discovered by observing this world . The only way to obtain it is to study scripture . Calvin writes , " For anyone to arrive at God the Creator he needs Scripture as his Guide and Teacher . " He does not try to prove the authority of scripture but rather describes it as <unk> or self @-@ authenticating . He defends the trinitarian view of God and , in a strong polemical stand against the Catholic Church , argues that images of God lead to idolatry . At the end of the first book , he offers his views on providence , writing , " By his Power God cherishes and guards the World which he made and by his Providence rules its individual Parts . " Humans are unable to fully comprehend why God performs any particular action , but whatever good or evil people may practise , their efforts always result in the execution of God 's will and judgments . 
