Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

John Calvin

2014-06-03T21:43:22Z

Basel:

'''John Calvin''' (Old French ''Jean Cauvin'')(July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] Protestant theologian and lawyer who was a leading figure during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology as found in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. Many aspects of his thought are referred to as [[Calvinism]].

Calvin's father was a notary for the Catholic Church in Noyon, and his father arranged for his education at Universities in both Orleans and Paris. His father at first expressed interest in Calvin becomin a Catholic priest, and at the age of twelve he was [[tonsure|tonsured]]. When a person was tonsured his [[hair]] was cut, leaving the top of his head bald.

With his father deciding against theology, Calvin began attending the University of Paris to purse a career in law. Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time. At this time, Protestantism did not exist in France as it does today, with reform being popular amongst many of the elite in Paris. This continued until the Affair of the Placards, where pictures denouncing the mass were placed everywhere, including on the King's own door.

For this reason in 1534 [[Francis I]] began persecuting the Protestant minded individuals, and Calvin fled Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he published the first edition of his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not heretical. He would revise and expand this work several times.

In 1536, during an intended overnight stay in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, Calvin met [[William Farel]], another reformer. Farel, although a very strong preacher, lacked eloquence and the ability to argue well. He wanted Calvin to remain in Geneva and assist him in his preaching there.

He had no wish to remain in Geneva. He wanted, instead, to continue his journey to [[Strasbourg]]. However, when Farel lost his temper with Calvin's stubbornness and shouted,"If you refuse to dedicate yourself here with us to this work of God, God will curse you, for you seek yourself rather than Christ!", Calvin felt that God had called him to Geneva.

At that time, Geneva was torn between camps, with native Genevans and the recent influx of refugees from France. The newer refugees favored s stricter mode of life, with practices that Calvin denounced. Some people did not take kindly to Calvin clamping down on their "liberty" (which was merely the license to do whatever they wanted-immoral or otherwise).

Calvin was threatened many times, banished once for three years, and insulted by having stray dogs named "Calvin" after him. However, his hard work for reform in Geneva paid off. In later years, the [[liberal]] attitude of Geneva allowed the city to become known as the "Protestant Rome". It became a safe haven for persecuted Reformed scholars from [[Scotland]] and [[England]] during the Catholic rule of [[Mary I]] and Mary Stuart.

Calvin is often remembered to his role as the Prosecutor in the trial and burning of [[Michael Servetus]], who was condemned by many Reformers and by the Roman Catholic church for committing heresy by denying the [[Trinity]]. Calvin requested to the City Council in Geneva that Servetus should have neither a lawyer, nor a translator. Calvin was also responsible in several witch burnings while in Geneva. Servetus was burned at the stake, despite Calvin's recommendation that Servetus ought rather to be beheaded, a form of execution considered in that day to be more honorable.

Calvin's work influenced many different Reformational groups, particularly the [[Presbyterian]]s in Scotland, the [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and [[Baptist]]s England and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] in [[Netherlands]]. The [[Westminster Confession]], the [[London Baptist Confession]] and the [[Belgic Confession]] are three statements of belief created by these groups and affirm a Calvinistic interpretation of theology.

Calvin's teachings on [[predestination]] were later interpreted in a way that has come to be called ''Hyper-Calvinism'' by some. So-called Hyper-Calvinists hold that because God imparts his grace to only some individuals of his choosing (the "Elect") there is no point in the visible Church preaching the [[Gospel]] to the unregenerate. This point of view has been rejected by almost all Reformed churches and groups. They espouse the preaching of the Gospel to the unregenerate as one of the commands given by Christ himself to his Church.

In the United States, the one Reformed denomination that is associated with "Hyper-Calvinism" is the 7,000 member "Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC)." This denomination, however, rejects as inaccurate the use of the term when applied by others to the PRC, arguing that the principles in question are those which were held by Calvin himself and, consequently, cannot be "hyper" or unorthodox.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calvin, John}}

[[Category:French People]]
[[Category:Protestantism|*]]
[[Category:Christian History]]
[[category:Theologians]]

Ulrich Zwingli

2014-06-03T21:40:49Z

Basel:

[[Image:Ulrich-Zwingli.jpg|thumb|right|Ulrich Zwingli]]
'''Ulrich Zwingli''' (1484-1531) was the leader of the [[Protestant Reformation]] in [[Zürich]], [[Switzerland]] and founder of [[Swiss Reformed Church]]es. Zwingli authored his 67 articles in response to abuses he found in the [[Catholic Church]], and was a contemporary of [[Martin Luther]].

Luther and Zwingli became estranged on several issues, such as images. They denounced each other at the [[Marburg Colloquy]] in 1529 over the real issue of the real presence of Christ during the Lord's supper.

Zwingli was latter killed as a Chaplin during the Second War of Kappel, fought between the opposing Protestant and Catholic Cantons of Switzerland.

He was also one of the most accomplished [[musician]]s of the reformation era.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zwingli, Ulrich}}
[[Category:Christians]]

John Calvin

2014-06-03T21:26:39Z

Basel:

'''John Calvin''' (Old French ''Jean Cauvin'')(July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] Protestant theologian and lawyer who was a leading figure during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology as found in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. Many aspects of his thought are referred to as [[Calvinism]].

Calvin's father was a notary for the Catholic Church in Noyon, and his father arranged for his education at Universities in both Orleans and Paris. His father at first expressed interest in Calvin becomin a Catholic priest, and at the age of twelve he was [[tonsure|tonsured]]. When a person was tonsured his [[hair]] was cut, leaving the top of his head bald.

With his father deciding against theology, Calvin began attending the University of Paris to purse a career in law. Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time. At this time, Protestantism did not exist in France as it does today, with reform being popular amongst many of the elite in Paris. This continued until the Affair of the Placards, where pictures denouncing the mass were placed everywhere, including on the King's own door.

For this reason in 1534 [[King Francis I]] began persecuting the Protestant minded individuals, and Calvin fled Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he published the first edition of his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not heretical. He would revise and expand this work several times.

In 1536, during an intended overnight stay in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, Calvin met [[William Farel]], another reformer. Farel, although a very strong preacher, lacked eloquence and the ability to argue well. He wanted Calvin to remain in Geneva and assist him in his preaching there.

He had no wish to remain in Geneva. He wanted, instead, to continue his journey to [[Strasbourg]]. However, when Farel lost his temper with Calvin's stubbornness and shouted,"If you refuse to dedicate yourself here with us to this work of God, God will curse you, for you seek yourself rather than Christ!", Calvin felt that God had called him to Geneva.

At that time, Geneva was torn between camps, with native Genevans and the recent influx of refugees from France. The newer refugees favored s stricter mode of life, with practices that Calvin denounced. Some people did not take kindly to Calvin clamping down on their "liberty" (which was merely the license to do whatever they wanted-immoral or otherwise).

Calvin was threatened many times, banished once for three years, and insulted by having stray dogs named "Calvin" after him. However, his hard work for reform in Geneva paid off. In later years, the [[liberal]] attitude of Geneva allowed the city to become known as the "Protestant Rome". It became a safe haven for persecuted Reformed scholars from [[Scotland]] and [[England]] during the Catholic rule of [[Mary I]] and Mary Stuart.

Calvin is often remembered to his role as the Prosecutor in the trial and burning of [[Michael Servetus]], who was condemned by many Reformers and by the Roman Catholic church for committing heresy by denying the [[Trinity]]. Calvin requested to the City Council in Geneva that Servetus should have neither a lawyer, nor a translator. Calvin was also responsible in several witch burnings while in Geneva. Servetus was burned at the stake, despite Calvin's recommendation that Servetus ought rather to be beheaded, a form of execution considered in that day to be more honorable.

Calvin's work influenced many different Reformational groups, particularly the [[Presbyterian]]s in Scotland, the [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and [[Baptist]]s England and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] in [[Netherlands]]. The [[Westminster Confession]], the [[London Baptist Confession]] and the [[Belgic Confession]] are three statements of belief created by these groups and affirm a Calvinistic interpretation of theology.

Calvin's teachings on [[predestination]] were later interpreted in a way that has come to be called ''Hyper-Calvinism'' by some. So-called Hyper-Calvinists hold that because God imparts his grace to only some individuals of his choosing (the "Elect") there is no point in the visible Church preaching the [[Gospel]] to the unregenerate. This point of view has been rejected by almost all Reformed churches and groups. They espouse the preaching of the Gospel to the unregenerate as one of the commands given by Christ himself to his Church.

In the United States, the one Reformed denomination that is associated with "Hyper-Calvinism" is the 7,000 member "Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC)." This denomination, however, rejects as inaccurate the use of the term when applied by others to the PRC, arguing that the principles in question are those which were held by Calvin himself and, consequently, cannot be "hyper" or unorthodox.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Calvin, John}}

[[Category:French People]]
[[Category:Protestantism|*]]
[[Category:Christian History]]
[[category:Theologians]]

Talk:There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

2014-06-03T21:18:50Z

Basel: /* Battle of Stalingrad */

What's the point of this, aside from being an ad homenim attack on atheists? [[User:JecklynH|JecklynH]] 02:03, 16 June 2008 (EDT)
:That IS the point. [[User:Jros83|Jros83]] 23:41, 8 October 2008 (EDT)

So has anyone ever heard "'There are no atheists in foxholes' is not an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes?'" I love that line (by the way I'm not an atheist). [[User:Jros83|Jros83]] 23:41, 8 October 2008 (EDT) I'm also in the Army...

I am going to add in here that the Battle of Stalingrad was fought by an explicitly atheistic army. [[User:Basel|Basel]]

== Battle of Stalingrad ==

State atheism was not very effective in Russia: [http://www.thedivineconspiracy.org/Z3211C.pdf Forced Secularization in Soviet Russia: Why an Atheistic Monopoly Failed]. It is doubtful that a high percentage of the Russian troops were atheists as far as the Battle of Stalingrad. [[User:Conservative|Conservative]] 15:57, 2 June 2014 (EDT)

:I have read the article you listed.

:I am unsure if you want to discuss the Russian SSR or the Soviet Union. Your article discusses the USSR in general, but there is a important difference. The article you listed stated that there was a distinct difference between the religious beliefs held and the region of the USSR. (45) The urban areas of the USSR were in the Russian SSR and were strongholds of the Red Army very early in the earlier revolution and civil war. In contrast, the rural areas, particularly in Ukraine, were strongholds of the white movement.

:According to your own source, there were 5.6 million people listed as members in "The League of Godless" in 1932 (38), which is a significant number of people. At that time there were appx. 100 million people in the Soviet Union.

:The source seems to come to some interesting conclusions. On page 37 it pronounces suspicion on how the League could have more members than the communist party. This is explained by the fact that "full" membership does not include partial membership or the other forms of membership.

:"Realizing in 1931 that approximately half its members resided in Moscow and Leningrad..." (37) supports the idea that half of the 5.6 million people were in a very geographically small part of the Soviet Union which was directly involved in the fighting of the battles which I listed.

:If you observe table 4 on page 45 many of the atheists were also included as Irreligious (the author notes this). The report summarizes that only 12% of the Soviet Union claimed to be religious.

:I further believe that the decline in anti-religious propaganda was not due to a lack of success, but that it was not successful. It is more probable that Stalin and the Politburo became very interested in recruiting soldiers from the religious areas of the USSR, which by that time were ravished by the brutal civil war, and by the famine.

:A careful observer of history will not that “Godless League"'s was dissolved in 1941. This was the first year of Operation Barbarossa. The article you provided does not even mention Operation Barbarossa or any mention of the invasion of the Soviet Union. I was fairly surprised that the article did not mention WWII for its analysis. That was fairly disappointing.

:At any rate, it is clear that atheists fought in foxholes in the battle of Stalingrad. Stalingrad was listed as a highly atheistic part of the USSR and of the Russian SSR in the article.
-Basel
::I will ask someone versed in Soviet atheism to review your comments within the next 20 days. Personally, I am not sure that bona fide atheists even exists. See: [[Denials that atheists exist]].

::One thing for certain though: Simo Häyhä (who reportedly was a Christian)[https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080201102218AAhS5qI] was a better sniper than Vasily Zaytsev. :) [[User:Conservative|Conservative]] 16:54, 3 June 2014 (EDT)

:::The Soviet army was wimpy just like modern atheism!

:::I cite:

:::"Simo Häyhä aka “The White Death” is widely regarded as the most hardcore sniper there ever was, with over 500 kills to his name. He helped defend his homeland from the Soviets during World War II...

:::In 1939, the Soviet Union attempted to invade Finland. Being a member of the Civil Guard, Häyhä was called into service, serving under the 6th Company of JR 34 on the Kollaa River. Commanded by Major General Uiluo Tuompo, the Finns faced both the 9th and 14th Soviet Armies, and at one point were fighting against as many as 12 divisions— about 160,000 soldiers. Also at one point in the same area, there only 32 Finns fighting against over 4,000 Soviets!

:::Despite being outnumbered, however, the Finns were still victorious at the end of the day." [[User:Conservative|Conservative]] 17:04, 3 June 2014 (EDT)

::::Yeah, the Soviet Army was very incompetent during the early stages of the war. A lot of that, but not all, was related to the purges of army officers after the civil war. I believe that nearly half of the officer corps was executed, with the rest becoming understandably paranoid. They also had significant problems in other areas, such as supply problems and really horrendous biplanes. [[User:Basel|Basel]]

Talk:There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

2014-06-03T20:22:16Z

Basel:

Talk:There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

2014-06-03T20:20:48Z

Basel: /* Battle of Stalingrad */

There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

2014-06-02T19:42:23Z

Basel:

[[File:Foxhole.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Reverend William T. Cummings is famous for declaring ''There are no atheists in foxholes''.<ref name="listserv">http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref>]]
Reverend William T. Cummings, who served at Bataan, is famous for declaring "'''There are no atheists in foxholes'''."<ref name="listserv">http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref> In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Warren J. Clear, who also served at Bataan, used the expression in an
interview printed in U.S. newspapers in the middle of April.<ref name="listserv">http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696</ref>

Chaplain F.W. Lawson of the 302d Machine Gun Battalion, who was wounded twice in wartime, declared "I doubt if there is such a thing as an [[Atheism|atheist]]. At least there isn't in a front line trench."<ref name="listserv" /> Hannah More wrote: "In agony or danger, no nature is atheist. The mind that knows not what to fly to, flies to God."<ref>[http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/Hannah-More-Quotes/ Hannah More quotes]</ref>

President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] declared in remarks broadcast from the [[White House]] as part of a February 7, 1954 American Legion Program:
{{cquote|As a former soldier, I am delighted that our veterans are sponsoring a movement to increase our awareness of God in our daily lives. In battle, they learned a great truth-that there are no atheists in the foxholes. They know that in time of test and trial, we instinctively turn to [[God]] for new courage…Whatever our individual church, whatever our personal creed, our common faith in God is a common bond among us.<ref>[http://yesteeyear.com/news/dwight-eisenhower-there-are-no-atheists-in-foxholes/ Dwight Eisenhower: There are No Atheists in Foxholes]</ref>}}

In addition, many prominent atheists have refused to debate [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates]]).

On the other hand, the organization Freedom from Religion claimed that there are atheists in foxholes; <ref>http://www.ffrf.org/outreach/atheists-in-foxholes/</ref> leader Anne Nicol Gayler has said “The membership of the Freedom From Religion Foundation includes many veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam." The Military Religious Freedom Foundation represents self-declared atheists in the US military, many of whom have served in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Battle of Stalingrad, one of the harshest battles in history , amongst many other battles in the Eastern Front of WWII, was fought by an army which explicitly espoused atheism.

In recent years the organization Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers has taken up use of the slogan "Atheists in Foxholes" as a list of those men and women who serve the country while lacking a belief in a god.<ref>http://www.militaryatheists.org/expaif.html Atheists in Foxholes</ref>

==See Also==

*[[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]
*[[Essay: The question atheists fear|The question atheists fear]]
*[[Atheism and cowardice]]
*[[Weak atheism]]
*[[Atheism]]
*[[Atheism Quotes]]
*[[Causes of Atheism]]
*[[I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist]]

==External Links==
*[http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0609D&L=ads-l&P=15696 American Dialect Society Regarding the Origin of the the Phrase "There are no atheists in foxholes"]
*[http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/10/16/larry-gatlin-miners-chile-god-great-thou-art-atheists-fox-holes-coal-jesus LARRY GATLIN: There Are No Atheists In Foxholes -- Or In Coal Mines]

{{Nb Atheism}}

== Notes ==
{{reflist|2}}

Talk:There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

2014-06-02T19:36:10Z

Basel:

Talk:There Are No Atheists In Foxholes

2014-06-02T19:35:47Z

Basel:

Calvinism

2014-06-02T19:24:45Z

Basel:

'''Calvinism''' (also known as [[Reformed Churches|Reformed Theology]]) is a name given to a set beliefs and ideas in Christianity, notable for it's emphases on predestination. Calvinism is named after the influential Swiss theologian and lawyer [[John Calvin]], though Calvin himself emphatically rejected the term Calvinism. The "five points' of Calvinism were codified after the 1619 decision of the Synod of Dort over the Arminian controversy.

It is most often identified with Calvin's teaching on the question of salvation and provedence. Many summarize Calvinism in five points, often referred to by the acronym TULIP, which itself was invented sometime in the 1930's.

*'''T'''otal Depravity - every person but Christ is born with a sinful nature since the fall of man in the [[Garden of Eden]].
*'''U'''nconditional Election - [[God]] chose every person for salvation. This is also referred to as [[Predestination]].
*'''L'''imited Atonement - [[Jesus]] only died for those whom God chose for salvation. Calvinists hold that he did not die for those who are not part of the elect.
*'''I'''rresistible Grace - Man has no free will over his eternal fate, and anybody whom God chooses for salvation cannot resist His call.
*'''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". This has not been used historically, but began sometime in the late 20th century.

All of the Reformed Confessions hold to these views.

== Doctrine ==

The basic distinction of Calvinism is that it teaches that the purpose of all creation is to glorify God. Within this creation it emphasizes God's supremacy over everything in existence, 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 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.

Calvinists observe two [[sacrament]]s, and see the bread and wine used during the [[Lord's Supper]] as symbolic but also that Christ is really present with the worshippers. They are not, therefore, strict representationalists, as many other Protestants are. They reject baptismal regeneration, but teach that [[baptism]] is a sign of God's covenanted love and election.

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

While the sovereignty of God, the supremacy of the Bible, and the process by which men are saved are the most famous elements in Reformed theology, certain social standards, the church's form of government, and the style in which the worship services are conducted are also part of what amounts to "Calvinism." Calvinist worship is much less ceremonial than that associated with [[Lutherans]] and [[Anglicans]] (the two other leading branches of the Reformation). The governance of the local congregation is in the hands of a number of ministers, not just the pastor; and regional assemblies are the highest unit of administration.

=== History ===

The purpose of the Calvinist Reformation was to reform the church back to the Bible in the time of the [[New Testament]]. Calvinists thus hold to the three historic creeds of the Church: the Creed of Athanasius, the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed. Calvin spent most of his time working in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]]. From there, Calvinism spread to the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]], [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Hungary]].

In the different countries, Calvinism developed into different traditions. Although all share the same beliefs, they drew up different confessions. The Dutch Reformed tradition holds to the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Cathegism and the Canons of Dordt, the Swiss hold to the Helvetic Confession and the Scots to the Westminster Standards (Confession and two Cathechisms).

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.

==Well Known Calvinists==
*[[John Calvin]]: http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/?show=worksBy
*[[Charles Spurgeon]]: http://spurgeon.org/
*[[Jonathan Edwards]]: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/edwards.html
*[[John Piper]]: http://www.desiringgod.org/

[[Category:Protestantism]]
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Theology]]
[[Category:Presbyterians]]

Calvinism

2014-06-02T19:20:23Z

Basel:

'''Calvinism''' (also known as [[Reformed Churches|Reformed Theology]]) is a name given to a set beliefs and ideas in Christianity, notable for it's emphases on predestination. Calvinism is named after the influential Swiss theologian and lawyer [[John Calvin]], though Calvin himself emphatically rejected the term Calvinism. The "five points' of Calvinism were based off of the 1619 decision of the Synod of Dort over the Arminian controversy.

It is most often identified with Calvin's teaching on the question of salvation. His view was summed up by five points, often referred to by the acronym TULIP, which was invented sometime in the 1930's.

*'''T'''otal Depravity - every person but Christ is born with a sinful nature since the fall of man in the [[Garden of Eden]].
*'''U'''nconditional Election - [[God]] chose every person for salvation. This is also referred to as [[Predestination]].
*'''L'''imited Atonement - [[Jesus]] only died for those whom God chose for salvation. Calvinists hold that he did not die for those who are not part of the elect.
*'''I'''rresistible Grace - Man has no free will over his eternal fate, and anybody whom God chooses for salvation cannot resist His call.
*'''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". This has not been used historically, but began sometime in the late 20th century.

All of the Reformed Confessions hold to these views.

== Doctrine ==

The basic distinction of Calvinism is that it teaches that the purpose of all creation is to glorify God. Within this creation it emphasizes God's supremacy over everything in existence, 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 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.

Calvinists observe two [[sacrament]]s, and see the bread and wine used during the [[Lord's Supper]] as symbolic but also that Christ is really present with the worshippers. They are not, therefore, strict representationalists, as many other Protestants are. They reject baptismal regeneration, but teach that [[baptism]] is a sign of God's covenanted love and election.

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

While the sovereignty of God, the supremacy of the Bible, and the process by which men are saved are the most famous elements in Reformed theology, certain social standards, the church's form of government, and the style in which the worship services are conducted are also part of what amounts to "Calvinism." Calvinist worship is much less ceremonial than that associated with [[Lutherans]] and [[Anglicans]] (the two other leading branches of the Reformation). The governance of the local congregation is in the hands of a number of ministers, not just the pastor; and regional assemblies are the highest unit of administration.

=== History ===

The purpose of the Calvinist Reformation was to reform the church back to the Bible in the time of the [[New Testament]]. Calvinists thus hold to the three historic creeds of the Church: the Creed of Athanasius, the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed. Calvin spent most of his time working in [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]]. From there, Calvinism spread to the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]], [[England]], [[Scotland]] and [[Hungary]].

In the different countries, Calvinism developed into different traditions. Although all share the same beliefs, they drew up different confessions. The Dutch Reformed tradition holds to the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Cathegism and the Canons of Dordt, the Swiss hold to the Helvetic Confession and the Scots to the Westminster Standards (Confession and two Cathechisms).

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.

==Well Known Calvinists==
*[[John Calvin]]: http://www.ccel.org/c/calvin/?show=worksBy
*[[Charles Spurgeon]]: http://spurgeon.org/
*[[Jonathan Edwards]]: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/edwards.html
*[[John Piper]]: http://www.desiringgod.org/

[[Category:Protestantism]]
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Fundamentalism]]
[[Category:Theology]]
[[Category:Presbyterians]]

John Calvin

2014-06-02T18:53:46Z

Basel:

'''John Calvin''' (Old French ''Jean Cauvin''(July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564 AD) was a [[French]] Protestant theologian during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. He helped develop the system of [[Christian]] theology as found in Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. Many aspects of his thought are referred to as [[Calvinism]].

Calvin's father was a notary for the Catholic Church in Noyon, and his father arranged for his education in both Orleans and Paris. His father at first expressed interest in Calvin becomin a Catholic priest, and at the age of twelve he was [[tonsure|tonsured]]. When a person was tonsured his [[hair]] was cut, leaving the top of his head bald.

With his father deciding against theology, Calvin began attending the University of Paris. Here, he was exposed to Protestant thinking for the first time. During this time, reform was popular amongst many of the elite in Paris. This continued until the Affair of the Placards, where pictures denouncing the mass were placed everywhere, including on the King's own door.

For this reason in 1534 [[King Francis I]] began persecuting the Protestant minded individuals, and Calvin fled Paris. During a short stay in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]], he published the first edition of his masterpiece ''Institutes of the Christian Religion'', which outlined the Protestant faith and explained why Protestant doctrine was not heretical. He would revise and expand this work several times.

In 1536, during an intended overnight stay in [[Geneva]], Switzerland, Calvin met [[William Farel]], another reformer. Farel, although a very strong preacher, lacked eloquence and the ability to argue well. He wanted Calvin to remain in Geneva and assist him in his preaching there.

He had no wish to remain in Geneva. He wanted, instead, to continue his journey to [[Strasbourg]]. However, when Farel lost his temper with Calvin's stubbornness and shouted,"If you refuse to dedicate yourself here with us to this work of God, God will curse you, for you seek yourself rather than Christ!", Calvin felt that God had called him to Geneva.
At that time, Geneva was said to be a very immoral city. Some people did not take kindly to Calvin clamping down on their "liberty" (which was merely the license to do whatever they wanted-immoral or otherwise).

Calvin was threatened many times, banished once for three years, and insulted by having stray dogs named "Calvin" after him. However, his hard work for reform in Geneva paid off. In later years, the [[liberal]] attitude of Geneva allowed the city to become known as the "Protestant Rome". It became a safe haven for persecuted Reformed scholars from [[Scotland]] and [[England]] during the Catholic rule of [[Mary I]] and Mary Stuart.

Calvin is often remembered to his role as the Prosecutor in the trial and burning of [[Michael Servetus]], who was condemned by many Reformers and by the Roman Catholic church for committing heresy by denying the [[Trinity]]. Calvin requested to the City Council in Geneva that Servetus should have neither a lawyer, nor a translator. Calvin was also responsible in several witch burnings while in Geneva. Servetus was burned at the stake, despite Calvin's recommendation that Servetus ought rather to be beheaded, a form of execution considered in that day to be more honorable.

Calvin's work influenced many different Reformational groups, particularly the [[Presbyterian]]s in Scotland, the [[Congregationalism|Congregationalists]] and [[Baptist]]s England and the [[Dutch Reformed Church]] in [[Netherlands]]. The [[Westminster Confession]], the [[London Baptist Confession]] and the [[Belgic Confession]] are three statements of belief created by these groups and affirm a Calvinistic interpretation of theology.

Calvin's teachings on [[predestination]] were later interpreted in a way that has come to be called ''Hyper-Calvinism'' by some. So-called Hyper-Calvinists hold that because God imparts his grace to only some individuals of his choosing (the "Elect") there is no point in the visible Church preaching the [[Gospel]] to the unregenerate. This point of view has been rejected by almost all Reformed churches and groups. They espouse the preaching of the Gospel to the unregenerate as one of the commands given by Christ himself to his Church.

In the United States, the one Reformed denomination that is associated with "Hyper-Calvinism" is the 7,000 member "Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC)." This denomination, however, rejects as inaccurate the use of the term when applied by others to the PRC, arguing that the principles in question are those which were held by Calvin himself and, consequently, cannot be "hyper" or unorthodox.

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[[Category:French People]]
[[Category:Protestantism|*]]
[[Category:Christian History]]
[[category:Theologians]]