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'''Calvinism''' (also known as [[Reformed Churches|Reformed Theology]]) is a system name given to a set of beliefs and ideas in Christian theology that was first developed by 16th century Protestant 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 [[Arminianism|Arminian]] controversy.

It ==Five points==Calvinism is most often summed up by identified with Calvin's teaching on the question of salvation and [[Divine providence|providence]]. Many summarize Calvinism in five points, often referred to by the acronym TULIP, which itself was invented sometime in the 1930s. (The Synod of [[Dortmund]] originally created these as a response to the five points of Arminianism. At the time they were ordered as ULTIP.) However, these five points do not represent the entirety of reformed theology. Some topics such as the [[Trinity]] and God's providence are not sufficiently covered by these points alone.<ref>http://www.gospelpedlar.com/articles/Church%20History/calvinism.html</ref>

*[[Total depravity|'''T'''otal Depravity ]] - every person but Christ is born with a sinful nature since the fall of man in the [[Garden of Eden]].(See: Jeremiah 17:9, John 3:19, and Romans 3:10-12)*'''U'''nconditional Election - [[God]] chose every elect person whom He would savefor salvation. This is also referred to as [[Predestination]].(See: Romans 9:11-12, and Romans 9:16)*'''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 elect, but only those who are elect will even seek salvation. (See: John 10:14-15, John 17:2&9, and Ephesians 5:25)*'''I'''rresistible Grace - Man has no [[free will ]] over his eternal fate, and anybody whom God chooses for salvation (the elect) cannot resist His call.(See: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Acts 13:48, Acts 26:14-16, and Ephesians 1:4-6)*[[Eternal security (salvation)|'''P'''erseverance of the Saints ]] - Once one is saved, they cannot lose their salvation and will persevere throughout their lives. Some persons do Anyone who does not hold to all five points, and refer to themselves by the number of "points" to which persevere shows that they adherewere never truly saved. For example(See: John 10:27-29, a number of people agree with all points except for Limited Atonement1 Corinthians 1:8-9, Philippians 1:6, 1 Peter 1:5, and thus refer Romans 8:38-39)<ref>https://www.calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm</ref><br />All of the Reformed Confessions hold to themselves as "Four Point Calvinists"these views.

The basic distinction Calvin himself published his [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.toc.html ''Institutes of Calvinism is that it teaches that the purpose of all creation is to glorify GodChrstian Religion''] in 1559. That This comprehensive work is therefore the central theme characterized by his motto of Calvinism. It also emphasizes God's supremacy over all spheres of life'[[sola scriptura|Sola Sacra Scriptura]]'', holding firmly to because he believed the doctrine of [[divine providenceBible]]to be the absolute authority in all matters of faith and containing all that is necessary for salvation.

Calvin himself published his ''Institutes The opposite of the Chrstian Religion'' in 1559. This comprehensive work Calvinism is characterized by his motto of ''considered to be [[sola scriptura|Sola Sacra ScripturaArminianism]]'', because he believed the [[Bible]] to which was named after Jacobus Arminius. It should be noted here that neither John Calvin nor Jacobus Arminius truly came up with the absolute authority theologies named after them, as the ideas contained within the respective beliefs have been debated upon even as far back as the time of the apostles, as Paul discussed in all matters of faith and containing all that is necessary for salvationRomans 5.

The opposite of Calvinism is considered to be Calvinists observe two [[Arminianismsacrament]]s, which was named after Jacobus Arminius. It should be noted here and see the bread and wine used during the [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]] as symbolic but also that neither John Calvin nor Jacobus Arminius truly came up Christ is really present with the theologies named after themworshippers. They are not, therefore, strict representationalists, as many other Protestants are. They reject baptismal regeneration, teaching instead that [[baptism]] is a sign of the ideas contained within the respective beliefs have been debated upon even believer's death to sin and being [[born again]] (which has already taken place), as far back well as Paul in Romans 5a reminder of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

Calvinists observe two The doctrines of Calvinism are summarized in the [[sacramentThree Forms of Unity]]s, and see the bread and wine used during the [[Lord's SupperWestminster Standards]] as symbolic. They reject baptismal regeneration, but teaches that The Baptist Confession of Faith, as well as a few other [[baptismReformed Churches|Reformed]] is a sign of God's covenanted love and electionconfessions.

The doctrines While the sovereignty of Calvinism is summarized 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 [[Three Forms of UnityLutherans]], the and [[Westminster StandardsAnglicans]](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; regional assemblies are the highest unit of administration. They can optimally join an organizations such as well as a few other [[the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches|Reformed]] confessionsof America (ARBCA), but ultimately, each church still governs itself.

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 Catechism and the Canons of Dordt, the Swiss hold to the Helvetic Confession and the Scots to the Westminster Standards (Confession and two CathechismsCatechisms).

In the United States Calvinism is found within the [[Presbyterian]] and Reformed [[Baptist]] groups; the two differ in regards to baptism (Presbyterians hold to infant baptism by sprinkling, while Reformed Baptists hold to immersion baptism after salvation). ==See also==*[[Salvation]]*[[Traditionalism]]*[[Arminianism]] ==References=={{reflist}} ==External links==* http://www.calvinistcorner.com/index.html Calvinist apologetics site ''Calvinist Corner.com''.===Well Known Calvinists===

[[Category:Christian DenominationsTheology]][[Category:Presbyterians]]