Discuss the chief ideas of Calvinism and show how they were similar to the ideas of Lutheranism. How did they vary from the ideas of Lutheranism? Why did Calvinism become the major international form of Protestantism?

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The Answer is Calvinism, also known as Reformed theology, was a Protestant theological system developed by John Calvin in the 16th century. The chief ideas of Calvinism include the belief in predestination, the sovereignty of God, the total depravity of humanity, the authority of scripture, and the importance of living a disciplined and moral life.

Similar to Lutheranism, Calvinism emphasized the authority of scripture and the belief in salvation by faith alone. Both Lutheranism and Calvinism rejected the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church, and both sought to reform the corrupt practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church.

However, Calvinism differed from Lutheranism in several key ways. One major difference was the idea of predestination, which was central to Calvinist theology. Calvin taught that God has predestined certain individuals for salvation and others for damnation, regardless of their actions or beliefs. This was a stark contrast to Lutheranism, which emphasized the idea of justification by faith alone and the possibility of salvation for all who believe in Christ.

Another difference was the emphasis on the sovereignty of God in Calvinism, which led to a more strict and disciplined approach to Christian living. Calvinists believed in living a life of moral and ethical purity, and they sought to create a society based on these principles.

Calvinism became the major international form of Protestantism for several reasons. One reason was its emphasis on discipline and moral living, which appealed to many people who were disillusioned with the corruption and decadence of the Catholic Church. Calvinism also had a strong emphasis on education and the development of a literate and educated populace, which contributed to its spread and influence.

Additionally, Calvinism was able to establish itself as the dominant form of Protestantism in several key regions, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Scotland, and parts of France. These strongholds of Calvinism served as centers of influence and helped to spread the ideas of Calvinism to other parts of Europe and eventually to the New World.

In conclusion, Calvinism and Lutheranism shared some key ideas, such as the authority of scripture and salvation by faith alone, but they also had significant differences, particularly in the areas of predestination and the sovereignty of God. Calvinism became the major international form of Protestantism due to its emphasis on discipline, moral living, education, and its establishment in key regions of Europe.

Discuss the Chief Ideas of Calvinism and Show How They