Reformed Christianity
Calvinism is the Protestant Christian theology named after John Calvin, author of The Institutes of the Christian Religion, a highly respected multi-volume commentary on the entire Bible, and various sermons and polemics. Although Calvinists are named for him, he was hardly the first one. Previous predestinarians include Martin Luther, who wrote The Bondage of the Will as an answer to Erasmus, Augustine, who condemned Pelagianism as heresy, and, arguably, the Apostle Paul.
Doctine
The beliefs of Calvinism are traditionally summarised in the so-called five points, which form the mnemonic TULIP. The five points were an answer, formulated at the Synod of Dordt, to the five points of the Remonstrants. The five points of Calvinism are:
- Total Depravity: All humans are inherently inclined to rebel against and offend God; all men are naturally in a state of enmity with God; all our "good deeds" are thus but filthy rags in God's sight. See Genesis 3, Romans 3:10-18.
- Unconditional Election: God chooses some to be saved regardless of what they have done or how deserving they are (since, from Total Depravity, no one deserves salvation). See Romans 9:11 (and also that entire chapter), Ephesians 1:3-5.
- Limited Atonement: Jesus died only for those who would be saved, not for every individual in the world. See John 10:14-15 & 26-28.
- Irresistible Grace: The saving grace of God is irresistible; once God has chosen you to be saved, it is impossible to resist. See John 15:16.
- Perseverance of the Saints: the saved, or Saints, cannot fall away; once saved, always saved. However, it is possible that a person could be a member in good standing in the church, etc. and not be saved. See John 10:27-29.
Some Calvinists, sometimes called four-point Calvinists, reject the doctrine of limited atonement. Another group, known as Hyper-Calvinists, hold beliefs above and beyond this, such as the position that God has also predestined some to Hell (the doctrine of reprobation), that it is wrong to evangelize, because God will save His own, and that God does not command everyone to repent, only the elect (those whom He has chosen.)
The substance of Calvism is total dependence on God. Every good thing any person has is there because of God's unmerited grace, and salvation is particularly dependent on grace. Calvinism is intentionally such that all credit, for everything, must go directly to God; humans are but miserable sinners. The 'solas' exist to keep all the credit where it belongs, and to exlude any illicit additions such as those the Reformers claimed Catholics had made. They were the summary of Calvinism, indeed of the Reformation, before the Framing of TULIP. The Solas are:
'Sola Gratia'-- By Grace only, not through any merit on the part of the sinner. Thus salvation is an unearned gift.
'Sola Fide'-- Through faith only, not works. This is the means of faith; the doctrine is that salvation comes, as Ephesians 2:8-9 puts it, by grace through faith, and that faith is not of ourselves, but is itself the result of grace.
'Solus Christus'-- Jesus Christ is 'the' way, 'the' truth, and 'the' life, and there is no other name by which men can be saved.
'Sola Scriptura'-- The Bible is the only authoritative Word of God, not traditions.
'Soli Deo Gloria'-- All the glory is God's, since He did all the work, not only the atonement on the Cross, but even granting the faith which allows men to be saved by that atonement. Each aspect of Salvation is a gift from God, and thus all praise is His, not man's.
History
Passing by Calvin's many precursers, we start with Calvin himself.
John Calvin
Jean Cauvin (John Calvin is an Anglicization of the Latinized "Calvinus") was born in Noyon, France on July 10, 1509. As a child he was trained for the Catholic priesthood and held a benefice. However, his father began to reject Catholicism and so, as a young man, Calvin turned to the study of law and the humanities. His first publication was a commentary on a work by Seneca. However, he was soon to return to matters of the spirit, this time as a Protestant.
To escape persecution he began wandering, and in the course of his wanderings wrote and published the Institutes (in 1536). When he passed through Geneva Farel heard that the author of the Institutes was in the city, and went to meet him. At the meeting he persuaded him to stay at Geneva and help him reform it.
(More on the history will have to be added later, either by me or someone else since I have to leave now.)
Internal Links
External links
Calvinist Denominations:
The Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC)
One of the most conservative Reformed/Calvinist denominations in the world, the PRC separated from the CRC in the 1920's in a schism over the issue of common grace. Most of its member churches are in West Michigan, Iowa, and other places where there are Christian Reformed congregations.
The Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC)
The CRC is a conservative/evangelical denomination founded by Dutch immigrants in the nineteenth century in West Michigan. It has many congregations in Michigan, Iowa, California, southwest Ontario, and elsewhere.
The Reformed Church of America (RCA)
The RCA is a liberal/evangelical denomination formed by Dutch immigrants during colonial times.
The Presbyterian Church in the USA (PC(USA))
One of the largest denominations in the US, the PC(USA) has over a million members. It is a liberal, mainline denomination with roots in England and Scotland.