Changes

*'''L'''imited Atonement - [[Jesus]] only died for those whom God chose for salvation.

*'''L'''imited Atonement - [[Jesus]] only died for those whom God chose for salvation.

*'''I'''rresistible Grace - Man has no free will over his eternal fate, and anybody whom God chooses for salvation cannot resist His call.

*'''I'''rresistible Grace - Man has no free will over his eternal fate, and anybody whom God chooses for salvation cannot resist His call.

*'''P'''erserverance of the Saints - Once one is saved, they cannot lose their salvation and will perservere throughout their lives.

*'''P'''erseverance of the Saints - Once one is saved, they cannot lose their salvation and will persevere throughout their lives.

Some persons do not hold to all five points, and refer to themselves by the number of "points" to which they adhere. For example, a number of people agree with all points except for Limited Atonement, and thus refer to themselves as "Four Point Calvinists".

Some persons do not hold to all five points, and refer to themselves by the number of "points" to which they adhere. For example, a number of people agree with all points except for Limited Atonement, and thus refer to themselves as "Four Point Calvinists".

The basic distinction of Calvinism is that it teaches that the purpose of all creation is to glorify God. That is therefore the central theme of Calvinism. It also emphasizes God's supremacy over all spheres of life, holding firmly to the doctrine of [[divine providence]].

The basic distinction of Calvinism is that it teaches that the purpose of all creation is to glorify God. That is therefore the central theme of Calvinism. It also emphasizes God's supremacy over all spheres of life, holding firmly to the doctrine of [[divine providence]].

Calvin himself published his ''Institutes of the Chrstian Religion'' in 1559. This comprehensive work is characterized by his motto of ''[[sola scriptura|Sola Sacra Scriptura]]'', because he believed the [[Bible]] to be the absolute authority in all matters of faith and containing all that is neccasary for salvation.

Calvin himself published his ''Institutes of the Chrstian Religion'' in 1559. This comprehensive work is characterized by his motto of ''[[sola scriptura|Sola Sacra Scriptura]]'', because he believed the [[Bible]] to be the absolute authority in all matters of faith and containing all that is necessary for salvation.

The opposite of Calvinism is considered to be [[Arminianism]], which was named after Jacobus Arminius.  It should be noted here that neither John Calvin nor Jacobus Arminius truly came up with the theologies named after them, as the ideas contained within the respective beliefs have been debated upon even as far back as Paul in Romans 5.

The opposite of Calvinism is considered to be [[Arminianism]], which was named after Jacobus Arminius.  It should be noted here that neither John Calvin nor Jacobus Arminius truly came up with the theologies named after them, as the ideas contained within the respective beliefs have been debated upon even as far back as Paul in Romans 5.

Calvinists observe two [[sacraments]], and see the bread and wine used during the [[Lord's Supper]] as symbolic. They reject baptismal regeneration, but teaches that [[baptism]] is a sign of God's covenantal love and election.

Calvinists observe two [[sacrament]]s, and see the bread and wine used during the [[Lord's Supper]] as symbolic. They reject baptismal regeneration, but teaches that [[baptism]] is a sign of God's covenanted love and election.

The doctrines of Calvinism is summarized in the [[Three Forms of Unity]], the [[Westminster Standards]], as well as a few other [[Reformed Churches|Reformed]] confessions.

The doctrines of Calvinism is summarized in the [[Three Forms of Unity]], the [[Westminster Standards]], as well as a few other [[Reformed Churches|Reformed]] confessions.

Calvinism spread to different parts of the world, most notably the [[USA]] and [[South Africa]] The English [[Puritans]] and Scottish [[Presbyterian]]s, as well as smaller numbers of [[German]] and [[Dutch]] immigrants brought Calvinism to the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries. Large numbers of Dutch, Germans and [[French]] [[Huguenots]] also brought their Calvinist faith to South Africa in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Calvinism spread to different parts of the world, most notably the [[USA]] and [[South Africa]] The English [[Puritans]] and Scottish [[Presbyterian]]s, as well as smaller numbers of [[German]] and [[Dutch]] immigrants brought Calvinism to the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries. Large numbers of Dutch, Germans and [[French]] [[Huguenots]] also brought their Calvinist faith to South Africa in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

<H3>Well Known Calvinists</h3>

==Well Known Calvinists==

[[John Calvin]]: http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/?show=worksBy<br>

*[[John Calvin]]: http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/?show=worksBy

[[Charles Spurgeon]]: http://spurgeon.org/<br>

*[[Charles Spurgeon]]: http://spurgeon.org/

[[Jonathan Edwards]]: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/edwards.html<br>

*[[Jonathan Edwards]]: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/edwards.html

[[John Piper]]: http://www.desiringgod.org/<br><br>

*[[John Piper]]: http://www.desiringgod.org/

[[Category:Protestantism]]

[[Category:Protestantism]]

[[Category:Christian Denominations]]

[[Category:Christian Denominations]]