Calvinism

Calvinism A theological system found in the writings of the Protestant John Calvin, having much in common with those of Martin Luther but differing on certain points.

Commonalities include the belief in scripture as the ultimate authority on matters of faith, the idea that free will is enslaved by original sin and the doctrine of justification by grace through faith.

Calvin believed that the authority of scripture was twofold. On the one hand scripture is divinely inspired, on the other hand believers subjectively experience its divine authenticity through the “internal testimony of the Holy Spirit.”

Calvinism differs mostly from Lutheranism by its radical dependence on scripture for church doctrine and practice and its emphasis on predestination.

According to Calvinism, an omnipotent God predestined some called the “elect” for heaven and others, the “dammed,” for hell.

Calvinism decrees that all human activity outside the Christian faith is evil, even good works.

Unlike Luther, Calvin believed in a theocracy, that is, church rule over national, regional and civic affairs, while Luther defended the separation of Church and State.

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