Calvinism
Definition
Calvinism is a major branch of Protestant Christianity that follows the theological traditions and teachings of John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and absolute sovereignty of God.
Analogy
Imagine you're playing a video game that has already been programmed by its developers (God). No matter what choices you make during gameplay (life), your final outcome (salvation) has already been determined by those developers. That's similar to how Calvinists view life and salvation.
Related terms
Protestant Reformation: The religious revolution in 16th-century Europe that led to new branches of Christianity breaking away from Catholicism, including Calvinism.
Predestination: A doctrine in theology concerning human fate being predetermined by divine will - central tenet in Calvinist belief system.
Theocracy: A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. In some Calvinist societies, this was the preferred form of governance.
"Calvinism" appears in:
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Practice Questions (10)
Which reformer is associated with the idea of predestination and the establishment of Calvinism?
Who was responsible for writing "The Institutes of Christian Religion," an important text in establishing Calvinism during the Protestant Reformation?
What marked the end to most religious wars in Europe by recognizing Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism?
Which theological doctrine influenced both the rise of Calvinism during the Wars of Religion and the growth of modern-day liberal democracy?
Who authored "The Institutes Of Christian Religion", which played a major role in spreading Calvinism?
How did Emperor Charles V's approach to dealing with Lutheranism differ from his son Philip II’s tactics addressing Calvinism?
Who founded Calvinism during this era?
Which year saw John Calvin publish 'Institutes of Christian Religion', a significant document for Calvinism?
Which technological advancement contributed to Calvinism spreading quickly across Europe during the Protestant Reformation?
Which treaty, signed in 1648, ended the Thirty Years' War and recognized Calvinism as a legally permissible faith?
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