Both Lutheranism and Calvinism are branches of Protestantism, but they have some key differences. Lutherans emphasize salvation by faith alone, while Calvinists place emphasis on grace and predestination. There are other distinctions as well, which this post will explore in more detail.
Who is Lutheranism?
Lutheranism is a branch of Christianity that originated in the 16th century. It was founded by Martin Luther, a German monk who protested against the abuses of the Catholic Church. Lutheranism shares many beliefs with other Christian denominations, such as the belief in God, the Bible, and the Trinity. However, it also has some unique doctrines, such as sola fide (faith alone) and Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). Lutheranism has spread throughout the world, and today there are millions of Lutheran Christians. In recent years, Lutheranism has been growing in popularity in the United States.
Who is Calvinism?
Calvinism is a theological system developed by French Protestant reformer John Calvin (1509-1564). Calvinism stresses the absolute sovereignty of God, the total depravity of humankind, and God’s unconditional election of certain individuals to salvation. Calvin’s teachings were reformulations of those of earlier Protestant Reformers, such as Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli. Calvinism spread throughout Europe and then to North America, where it was influential among both Protestants and Catholics. Today, Calvinism continues to be an important force within Christianity. Calvinist churches can be found in many parts of the world, and Calvinist theology has been a significant influence on theological thought more broadly.
Difference between Lutheranism and Calvinism
Lutheranism and Calvinism are two of the major branches of Protestant Christianity. Lutheranism was founded by the German monk Martin Luther in the 16th century, while Calvinism was founded by the French theologian John Calvin in the mid-16th century. Both Lutheranism and Calvinism promote the individual interpretation of Scripture, but they differ in their views on salvation and predestination. Lutheranism teaches that salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned, while Calvinism teaches that those who are predestined by God to be saved will ultimately be saved. Lutheranism also teaches that good works are necessary for salvation, while Calvinism teaches that good works play no role in salvation. These differences have resulted in centuries of debate between Lutheran and Calvinist theologians. Today, Lutheranism and Calvinism remain two of the major branches of Protestant Christianity, with each tradition claiming millions of followers around the world.
Conclusion
The Lutheran and Calvinist movements are two of the most influential Protestant denominations in history. While they share some similarities, there are key differences between the two faiths. We’ve highlighted some of the main points of difference in this blog post.
