Does Protestant = Calvinist? (traditions, Lutheran, hell, presbyterian)

[censusdata]

Are the one and the same, or is Calvinism simply a part of Protestantism?

[aquila]

Calvinism refers to a belief system or theological perspective of those who follow the Biblical interpretations of John Calvin, who lived in the 16th century. He was a Protestant, yes, in the sense that he was in opposition to orthodox Catholic theology. But no, he was not the original "protestant". Martin Luther is actually the one most noted for setting "Protestantism" in motion.

So to answer your question....they are not one and the same. Some Protestants do not accept the validity of Calvinism. But Calvinism itself is a part of Protestantism.

[kjat32]

Hi all,

I'm not an expert, but this is one of my husband's pet peeves so I've heard a few "sermons" on it. =D

Protestantism is basically the churches/believers who split from the Catholic church, starting with Luther. Calvin came along and wrote down what most "protestants" believed, and thus became a figurehead, although he wasn't preaching anything "new" to Protestantism.

"Calvinism" is a name many people associate with TULIP, or the five points, that were coined to debate another idea that was figureheaded by Arminius (Sp?). Arminius (according to my husband) disagreed with Calvin's writings on total depravity, man's free will, etc, and sought to have Calvin declared a heretic. At the Council of Dordt (sp?), the leaders of Protestantism came together and debated whether or not Calvin was a heretic. At the end of the Council, Calvin's understanding of depravity, free will, etc, was acknowledged to be the only Biblical viewpoint and Arminius himself was declared a heretic...or heretical, anyways. Complete reversal. So after the Council of Dordt, all orthodox Protestants can then also be called "Calvinists" if they didn't deny the Council's findings and follow Arminius.

Many people today who call themselves Arminians don't actually know that Arminius was declared a heretic. Calvin was not seeking to become the figurehead of Protestantism, it was Arminius who wanted his views banned and Arminius's theology that was found wanting. So anyone who follows Arminianism today is actually part of a group that the rest of Protestantism declared heretical.

That's the history as I know it. In short, you can say Orthodox Protestantism == Calvinism (as most people understand it, referring to the main points, not necessarily every single belief of Calvin's). Hyper-Calvinism, or the group that decided that God created those going to Hell specifically for that end, and thus decided that all evangelism is pointless, are not actually Calvinists.

I think the pertinent verses in Romans are pretty obvious but obviously I'm a "Calvinist" there. =D

Katherine

[Fundamentalist]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Are the one and the same, or is Calvinism simply a part of Protestantism?

Ohhhhhhhhh....no...no.....no

[mackinac81]

Calvin--with Luther--was the chief theologian of the Reformation, and his theology shaped many denominations in Protestantism, but several groups dissented from the Calvinists. Here's the denominational breakdown

Calvinist

1) Reformed/Christian Reformed
2) Presbyterian
3) Some Baptist groups

Non-Calvinist

1) Mennonite/Amish
2) Methodist/Holiness/Nazarene
3) Lutheran
4) Some Baptist groups
5) Liberal protestant groups
6) Charismatic/Pentocostal groups

[censusdata]

Let ask the question another way:

Does Catholic vs Protestant equate to Works vs pre destination??

Part of my reason for this question is I'm wondering whether the non denominational Church of Christ (which emphasizes Works like the Catholics, but doesn't accept the Pope or Sainthood) could be considered a Protestant group. I had always believed that it was because I thought Protestantism empasized a return to the New Testament for its church model (vs the Catholic Churches' belief in traditions authority over Biblical authority) - however I was recently studying early Protestantism (including Calvinism) and I now wonder if it was less about "Bible vs Tradition" and more of a "Works vs Election of the believers

[mackinac81]

Originally posted by censusdata
Let ask the question another way:

Does Catholic vs Protestant equate to Works vs pre destination??

Part of my reason for this question is I'm wondering whether the non denominational Church of Christ (which emphasizes Works like the Catholics, but doesn't accept the Pope or Sainthood) could be considered a Protestant group. I had always believed that it was because I thought Protestantism empasized a return to the New Testament for its church model (vs the Catholic Churches' belief in traditions authority over Biblical authority) - however I was recently studying early Protestantism (including Calvinism) and I now wonder if it was less about "Bible vs Tradition" and more of a "Works vs Election of the believers

This is a good question. I've always divided christendom into three branches: Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant--with protestants being the hodgepodge of everyone else. But Yes, the Reformation began with the debate over "Works v Election". But that debate will always turn into a "Bible v tradition" debate because Salvation by works is based on tradition, while election (salvation by faith) is based on the scriptures.

Hope that helps

John

[somtin808]

Originally Posted by aquila

Calvinism refers to a belief system or theological perspective of those who follow the Biblical interpretations of John Calvin, who lived in the 16th century. He was a Protestant, yes, in the sense that he was in opposition to orthodox Catholic theology. But no, he was not the original "protestant". Martin Luther is actually the one most noted for setting "Protestantism" in motion.

So to answer your question....they are not one and the same. Some Protestants do not accept the validity of Calvinism. But Calvinism itself is a part of Protestantism.

okay

[somtin808]

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah : confused:: ok:

[icon808]

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